What Are Hearing Dogs
Most people are aware of how guide dogs can change the lives of those who are visually impaired and we’ve all seen them out with their owners in their fluorescent jackets and collars. But were you aware that there are also hearing dogs available for the deaf?
Hearing dogs remove some of the isolation that those who cannot hear faced in their day to day life, and allow them to live with a greater degree of independence, as well as staying safe when in the home and out and about.
When at home the hearing dog can wake show their owner or recipient that an alarm clock going off, alert them if the door bell rings and someone is at the door, or react when the phone ios ringing. In these day to day scenarios a hearing dog will listen for the sound and then touch their recipient lightly with their paw. Once that have their attention the recipient will ask ‘where is it?’ or ‘what is it?’ and the dog will then take them to the source of the sound, such as the phone, the door or the cooker alarm.
In cases where there is danger, the dog will behave in a different way when it hears the sound, and after touching the recipient with its paw as usual, the dog will then drop to the ground. The recipient knows immediately that there is a danger and get take action to get themselves (and the dog) to safety.
Once it has been decided that a dog has the right temperament to become a hearing dog they are put through extensive training. This includes socialisation, behavioural training and an intensive four month sound work course. During this time, the dog is encouraged to react to certain sounds in the necessary manner and is condition to enjoy the work and see alerting their recipient to the sounds as a treat.
After the dogs have successfully completed the training they are introduced to their new home and recipient and their partnership begins to form as they both learn new ways of working.
Whats My Deafness Claim Worth can help if you have suffered ear damage, as a resulted of your place of work and can help you make a hearing loss claim.
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