Hearing dogs are specially trained canine assistants who help people who are deaf or have hearing loss. Hearing dogs can alert their partners to sounds around the home and in public.

Here are some of the sounds a hearing dog can alert their partner to-

• A door knock
• Smoke detector alarm
• Alarm clock ringing
• Tea kettle whistling
• Telephone or cell phone ringing
• Keys dropping
• Traffic approaching
• The name of the dog’s handler to alert the person when he or she is being spoken to
• General sound awareness

Hearing Dogs are especially sensitive to noises, and a deaf partner can learn a lot about his or her environment just by watching the dog’s visual cues. A dog may notice when someone approaches from behind and tries to get the attention of his or her handler. A Hearing Dog, along with his or her “Hearing Dog” vest, is often the first indicator to the public that the deaf individual may need to be spoken to face-to-face or in another manner.

Hearing Dogs communicate with their hearing impaired partners by making physical contact with them and then leading them to the location of the sound. Small dogs will jump up on a person’s leg or lap to alert their partner, while large dogs will seek out a person’s hand with their nose to make contact.

The Hearing Dogs are both mixed breeds from shelters or rescue groups.They give their owners a sense of freedom and renewed self-esteem.

For children, they can ease the frustration, pain, and anger that often accompanies a hearing disability. They also feel safer when they are alone with their hearing dogs.

The dogs are able to alert their owners to the presence of intruders. This gives their owners a higher sense of security. The Signal/Hearing Ear Dog provides its owner with a constant companion and a special bond of friendship.

References: Online

www.neads.org/assistance-dogs/people-who-are-deaf-or-have-hearing–loss

http://4pawsforability.org/hearing-ear-dog/