Eleanor Langham introduces herself and discusses how dogs are being used to provide support and combat loneliness in the d/Deaf community.
Hi! My name is Eleanor, or El, and I wanted to introduce myself as a new member to the society, and also as one of the blog coordinators.
I am so excited to be a part of the society this year, and like many of you, I am new to learning BSL. Since Sophie did such a great job last week of introducing BSL and providing some tips on how to approach learning it, I wanted to take the opportunity this week to discover one aspect within the d/Deaf community that I was previously unaware of.
After the last couple of years since the pandemic in particular, the issue of isolation and loneliness has become even more prevalent within society, and consequently has also become more discussed. It was in reading more about the impact of COVID-19 on the d/Deaf community that I began to discover the daily isolating effect that deafness, as an invisible disability, can have on an individual, and it was through this that I read Anne’s story.
Anne Pickett lost her hearing following surgery to remove a brain tumour, and although initially elated to be alive, she quickly began to notice the effect that her hearing loss had on her confidence and the loneliness that came from being d/Deaf. Her mental wellbeing and independence declined as going out alone began to feel more overwhelming, but it was the help of a hearing assistance dog that changed things.
When we think of assistance animals, many of us think of guide dogs for the blind, but in my research, I discovered dogs can also provide assistance for d/Deaf people, both practically and emotionally. Hearing Dogs for the Deaf is a UK based charity that trains such dogs, with volunteers raising puppies from newborns to fully trained hearing dogs, with Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles and Cockapoos being the most commonly trained breeds. The role of a hearing dog will primarily be being able to alert their owner of sounds they might otherwise not hear, such as a doorbell, smoke alarm, alarm clock, text messages, or even the call of a family member in the house. In being able to rely on the support of the dog, the owner can begin to feel more confident in their daily lives, helping them to connect with others and their community.
Many d/Deaf people with hearing dogs also stress how life-changing the visibility is that a hearing dog can provide. As the animals wear a red hearing dog jacket, it makes others aware that person is d/Deaf, and thus makes it easier for people to interact, for example by choosing to pull down a face mask to make lipreading more accessible. Many people also report the increased sense of community and connection they have found in having a hearing dog, as it creates more opportunities to meet people through dog walking, and they have found more people approaching them to pet the dogs, helping to dispel some of the fear and anxiety that many have when it comes to leaving the house. These interactions allow owners to feel more visible and confident, enabling them to feel more connected to wider society.
Ultimately, the companionship of a hearing dog helps to alleviate much of the stress, anxiety and isolation that d/Deaf people face on a daily basis and provides an emotional connection that many say is life-changing. Therefore I wanted to use this opportunity today to raise awareness of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and the amazing work they’re doing. There are lots of ways you can help support the charity, such as volunteering or donating, but most of all I’d really encourage reading some of the resources that their website has to offer, as I found it invaluable in giving me some insight into the impact that having an invisible disability can have on people, and how isolating it can be.
If you’d like to find out more head towww.hearingdogs.org.uk !
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