Audio Life Hearing Center- Knoxville, TN

Senior Woman And Pet Dog

Happy memories of a beloved pet is a common experience for many people. Our lives can be enriched by many kinds of animals including; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and birds. In many instances, they are our close companions. For people who have hearing loss, pets can provide added benefits that improve symptom management and quality of life.

Sometimes, pets are specifically trained to provide special benefits. Particular jobs or specific kinds of help can be carried out by these animals which are trained to provide help to people with hearing loss. But that’s not always the case. Friendship and comfort can come from animals with no special training. That’s why, in many cases, people with hearing loss and their animal friends develop a special and unique bond.

Is owning a pet good for mental health?

With hearing loss, it can be difficult to hear and make out what people are saying, which can feel really isolating. Communication becomes fraught and, as a result, you may spend less time socializing with others.

So, is having a pet worthwhile? Definitely! There are a number of non-verbal ways that a companion animal can communicate. Clear communication with animals is possible without the need to hear verbal language. Individuals with hearing loss can successfully bond with a wide variety of pets (this is usually dependent on personal preferences), and these pets can provide comfort and emotional support during what may be a very lonely time.

This doesn’t replace human-to-human social contact, of course. But it can offer some consolation and assistance when making other connections can be challenging. Additionally, pets can give you more chances to connect with other people. Bringing your dog to the dog park, for example, can give you an opportunity to be around other people, even if you don’t necessarily initiate a conversation or make a new friend.

Pets can provide aid

Service dogs, as an example, utilize specialized training to assist their humans navigate the world more safely. Individuals with hearing loss will frequently fail to hear essential sounds around them and service animals are specifically trained to listen for those sounds and to provide guidance to their human.

Some of the things a service dog for those who have hearing loss is trained to do include the following:

  • Detecting hazardous sounds like approaching traffic.
  • Observing (and alerting their human) to everyday sounds like tea kettles, alarm clocks, or the phone ringing.
  • Letting their human know that the smoke alarm is sounding.
  • Detecting a knock at the door or a doorbell ringing.
  • Recognizing when someone speaks their human’s name or otherwise talks to their human is also something service dogs can be trained to do. This can help those with hearing loss better engage in communication.

Detecting these sounds and alerting their human to them is something these animals are especially trained to do. But service animals aren’t the only way one could benefit from having an animal around. Even a non-trained dog can bark when the doorbell rings. Cats and other animals will also usually react to abrupt or unfamiliar sounds which their owner will pick up on if they are in tune with their pet.

A symbiotic relationship

Pets can add many benefits to your life without you even recognizing it. Adding some structure to everyday life is one of those benefits. For example, they will need to be walked, fed, and loved numerous times every day. This structure can be an essential source of comfort. It’s one reason why all kinds of animal-assisted therapy types exist.

But if you’re contemplating getting a pet or service animal, it’s essential to give it some thoughtful consideration. You want to select an animal that’s going to meet your needs and that you will be able to properly take care of.

It’s also important to mention that service animals cannot take the place of a pair of hearing aids, both in terms of the lasting benefits and in terms of their capabilities. Pets can, however, be wonderful companions and can enhance your overall quality of life. They can be a unique and important part of their life.

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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