What is a hearing dog?

This is a continuation of my last post, what is a service dog. If you haven’t read that and have any questions about what a service dog is, go ahead and read that one first.

So a hearing dog is a service dog foe the D/deaf or Hard of Hearing. They are trained to alert to many sounds for their handlers. These can be things such as the doorbell, alarm clocks, washing machine, smoke detectors, babies crying, the handlers name, emergency signals, and so much more. These dogs can be life lines to their handlers.

Hearing dogs can be trained by an organization, such as Hearing Dogs International, or by their trainers. Both training options have positives and negatives. I am going the self train option. I have chosen the self train option for many reasons. The first is the major hearing dog organizations will not select you as a candidate unless: 1. You have no other dogs in the house 2. Have bilateral hearing loss 3. Have no other hearing adults in the home 4. Can travel for up to 14 days to train in their facilities. I have bilateral profound loss, but I do have another dog, and I have a wife who is hearing., and I can’t travel out of state for 14 days. They also have waiting lists that are 3-5 years long typically.

My hearing dog will be trained to alert to the following list and more my alarm clock, a ring tone set specifically for my wife, the doorbell, smoke detectors, my kids crying, or asking for my help, as well as doors opening. This will help me feel more independent, and rely less on my children telling me my phone is ringing, or my wife having to stay up and wake me up.  

The dog will help me and my family stay safe, improve my quality of life, and be an amazing partner for years to come.