Hearing loss can be a challenging and isolating experience and service dogs can provide a vital source of support for the affected people. Hearing dogs, also known as hearing assistance dogs, are trained to alert their owners to essential noises in their surroundings.
This heartwarming short video exemplifies how meaningful a hearing service dog can be for someone that's hearing impaired.
How Hearing Dogs Work?
Hearing dogs are specially trained canines who assist people with hearing loss navigate their daily lives. They are trained to respond to specific sounds, such as a smoke alarm, doorbell, and alarm clock, and alert their owner to the sound. These hearing dogs are trained to make physical contact with their owner to alert them to the sound, which makes them different from service animals that perform specific tasks, like guiding a visually impaired person.
This 3 minute video highlights some key differences between how a hearing service dog works as compared to other types of service dogs:
Hearing dogs are usually bred from a specific group of dog breeds that are naturally attentive to sounds and obedient, such as Labrador Retrievers. They undergo extensive obedience training and are custom trained to respond to the specific needs of their owner. This includes training to alert them to environmental sounds, door knocks, and even baby cries. With the help of their hearing dogs, people can experience more independent lives and efficiently respond to the common sounds in their surroundings.
What Are Some Of The Challenges That People With Hearing Loss Face Daily?
People with hearing loss face many challenges in their daily lives, including missing important sounds like a door-knock, a baby cry, a doorbell ringing, or a smoke alarm going off. This can lead to a lack of independence and a decreased quality of life. The inability to hear environmental sounds also puts people with hearing loss at a higher risk for accidents and falls.
A profound hearing loss may cause struggle in communicating with others and making social interactions difficult. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness and a loss of self-esteem and confidence.
However, with the help of a hearing dog, a person can lead independent and fulfilling lives. These canine companions stay with their owners and help them by alerting them to important sounds in their environment and making it easier for them to talk to others.
This Tiktok from Mila The Hearing Dog is one quick example of a day in the life of a hearing service dog:
@milathehearingdog Day in the life: service dog air travel edition #servicedog #airtravel #foryou #disability #deaf #asl #cochlearimplant #hearingaid ♬ Sunset Lover - Petit Biscuit
What Are The Benefits Of Hearing Service Dogs For The Hearing Impaired?
Service dogs are a life-changing solution for people with hearing loss. Service dogs can help with a range of daily activities, such as alerting their owners to important sounds, making physical contact with them to get their attention, and leading them to safety in emergencies. These dogs can also help their owners navigate busy environments by providing physical support and as a buffer between their owners and others.
A service dog can also help their owner maintain a sense of awareness by alerting them to door knocks, phone calls, and even alarms such as smoke detectors. In addition, they can be trained to perform specific tasks, such as retrieving dropped items and helping their owner get dressed. These assistance dogs are unaffected by distractions, making them reliable companion.
Moreover, the bond between a person and their service dog is unparalleled. These dogs provide emotional support and a sense of comfort that is invaluable for a deaf person who may feel isolated in his or her environment.
The presence of a service dog can also help break down social barriers, enabling their owners to participate in community events and engage with the general public.
The benefits of having a service dog for someone with hearing loss are numerous and many of them are impactful but intangible.
What Are The Criteria A Hearing Dog Has To Meet?
Hearing dogs have specific criteria that they must meet in order to be suitable for assisting people with hearing loss. These criteria include having good obedience training and being naturally attentive to their surroundings. The dog should also be able to respond to common sounds such as doorbells, door knocks, and alarm clocks.
Service Dog Certifications has a nice article detailing Service Dog Requirements and how you can train your own dog to be a service dog.
servicedog
The dog should also be comfortable around other dogs, people, and in different environments. This will ensure that they can assist their owner in various situations. The breed of the dog can also play a role in its suitability as a hearing dog. For example, Labrador retrievers are commonly used for this purpose due to their obedience and friendly nature.
To be certified as a hearing dog, a dog must undergo custom training to alert their owner to specific sounds. This training can take multiple steps and involves familiarizing the dog with the sounds to which they will be alerting their owner. In addition, the dog must also pass obedience training and be able to follow commands from their owner.
What Are The Steps To Getting A Hearing Service Dog?
Getting a hearing dog requires multiple steps, but it can be a life-changing experience for people with hearing loss. The process usually starts with a visit to a doctor to have your hearing tested and confirmed. This is followed by contacting a service dog organization and filling out an application to determine if you qualify for a hearing dog.
Once you have been approved, you'll typically be matched with a suitable dog that's been specifically trained to help people with hearing loss. The dog will be trained to respond to specific sounds, like door knocks, doorbells, alarms, and also make physical contact with you when they hear these sounds.
You'll then participate in a training program with your new hearing dog to learn how to work with and communicate with your animal effectively. During this process, the dog will learn to respond to your commands and receive obedience training.
The steps to getting a hearing dog can vary by organization. But they all aim to provide clients with a well-trained, custom-fit animal that can help them live more independent and fulfilling lives.
With the support of a hearing dog, people with hearing loss can navigate their environment with greater ease and confidence.
Resources
The International Hearing Dog has a host of articles and information regarding how to get a hearing dog.
byKendra Plaschko
The team at Assistance Dogs International has put together a really quick tool to help search for hearing dog providers.
If you feel your quality of living would be improved with a hearing service dog, but don't have the finances necessary for the organizations you've contacted (many offer financial assistance and some will even provide the service dog to selected qualified individuals free of charge), US Service Animals has a list of organizations in the US that offer service dog grants.
In Conclusion
Hearing dogs, also known as service animals, are beneficial for individuals with hearing impairments. These dogs can alert their owner to essential sounds in their environment, from a smoke alarm in case of fire to waking them up in the morning. With the constant companionship and support of a service animal, people with auditory loss can experience a newfound sense of security and independence.
Suppose you or someone you know is interested in getting a hearing dog. In that case, it's important to research the organizations that provide them and understand the criteria and steps involved in acquiring one. With the proper training, a hearing assistance dog can make a profound difference in the lives of people with hearing loss and help them live more independent and fulfilling lives.
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