The Benefits of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People (Deaf Awareness Week)
What is Deaf Awareness Week?
Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event held in the UK that was created to raise awareness about the deaf community. It usually occurs during the month of May and aims to promote a better understanding of deafness, deaf culture, and the experiences of deaf people.
It is Deaf Awareness Week from the 1st to the 7th May 2023 and people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus are calling on everyone to be deaf aware! People who are deaf or have hearing loss have individual communication needs and you should ask how best you can communicate with them
How do hearing dogs help deaf people?
Imagine you are deaf. You can’t hear your alarm clock. You can’t hear your text messages. You miss out on social interactions. That’s what life is like for deaf people, and it can be very isolating. A hearing dog can make a big difference in the lives of deaf people by providing companionship and day-to-day help.
Which dog breeds are the best hearing guide dogs?
There are a number of different breeds that make excellent hearing dogs. The most common breeds include:
Labradors
Cocker Spaniels
Miniature Poodles and the mixed breed Cockapoos.
These breeds all have the traits needed to become perfect hearing dogs.
Can hearing dogs make deaf people feel more confident?
Deafness can strip a person of their confidence. It is known as the ‘invisible disability’ because it’s very hard to tell if someone is deaf – there is no white stick or wheelchair as a giveaway. This can mean the hearing world can be a scary place for someone who is deaf with no visual aid.
Read Helen’s story to find out how Sam her hearing dog made her more confident.
Can hearing dogs provide safety and security for deaf people?
A big part of a hearing dog’s job is to alert its deaf partner to sounds they would otherwise miss. Sounds such as the smoke alarm, alarm clock, and even a baby's cry. Being aware of these – thanks to a hearing dog – makes a real difference in deaf people’s lives.
Can hearing dogs provide companionship to deaf people?
Hearing dogs can absolutely provide companionship for deaf people. They provide emotional support through the constant companionship that they provide.
Can hearing dogs help deaf people with social integration?
Yes, a hearing dog can give deaf people confidence to reconnect with their family, friends and community, and embrace the life they want to lead.
Can hearing dogs help deaf people to improve physical and mental well-being?
Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets is linked to several health benefits, including:
Decreased blood pressure
Cholesterol levels
Triglyceride levels
Feelings of loneliness
Anxiety
Different symptoms of PTSD.
Who are Hearing Dogs for Deaf People?
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is an organisation that trains dogs to alert deaf people to important and life-saving sounds they would otherwise miss – such as the smoke alarm, alarm clock and even a baby's cry. Being aware of these – thanks to a hearing dog – makes a real difference to deaf people’s lives, and can even save them.
What real-life experiences have deaf people had with hearing dogs?
For one Hearing Dog owner, she talks of a number of terrifying and potentially fatal situations practically that made her a ‘recluse’ before she met her hearing dog, Sam:
“My hearing loss was so severe that I was finding day-to-day sounds really difficult. One day my stepdaughter, who was only six at the time, ran in saying “Cas the smoke alarm is going off!” This was a devastating wake-up call for me. A six-year-old was having to keep me safe in our own home because I could not hear. My deafness was not only affecting me but those I loved.
How do the puppies at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People help people suffering from hearing loss?
Here at UK Pets we are proud to be sponsoring George.
Last year, our Veterinary Nurse Joy took part in a charity dog walk with her friend’s two flat-coated retrievers Gemma and Thoma, and after this, she arranged sponsorship for UK Pets of George, a hearing dog puppy who started his training in November.
It may be hard to believe, but in the future, George can totally transform a deaf person’s life. Find out a bit more about a puppy like George’s journey.
What is the virtual Great British Dog Walk?
The Virtual Great British Dog Walk is a sponsored dog walk that you can do anywhere, anytime in the month of May for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. You can find out more and sign up online.
