What can a Hearing Dog do for you?
Hearing Dogs at Home
Having a Hearing Dog in the home can make everyday life more accessible and enjoyable for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Hearing Dogs are trained to recognize and alert to common household sounds with a nudge or a “hup” (two paws), then leading to the source of the sound.
Household sounds Hearing Dogs are trained to recognize include:
- Digital timer
- Alarm clock
- Landline phone
- Cell phone
- Smoke alarm
- Doorbell or knocking
- Your name being called
In addition to this standard list, once in the home, some dogs will respond to less common household sounds such as the washer/dryer buzzer or microwave chime.
Hearing Dog training is based on recognizing defined and frequent household sounds. Your dog will not be able to alert to inconsistent or undefined sounds like running water or a boiling pot. Nor are they meant to serve as guard dogs—Hearing Dogs are not trained to alert to things such as sirens and trespassers.
If forced to choose the most important task Merlin performs, I simply cannot choose one as they are all vital to my wellbeing, physically and emotionally.
Stuart P.
Hearing Dogs in Public
Recognized as working dogs, certified Hearing Dogs can accompany you into public places where companion pets are generally not permitted.
Hearing dogs can make you aware of your surroundings by learning to read your dog’s body language and natural responses to sounds.
To maintain their certification and be dependable outside of the home, your Hearing Dog will need regular socialization as well as obedience practice—at least several times weekly.
