How hearing guide dogs help deaf people live happier lives

Dogs are highly valued for their ability to hear sounds that we as humans cannot hear. They can also more easily differentiate between sounds, making them great service dogs for deaf people, where they alert us to sounds relevant to our safety and survival.

Smudge was my first hearing dog, and he has helped me go from social isolation to happily deliver lectures in front of hundreds of people. Smudge passed away in 2012 and Bailey is my assistance dog now. Bailey has a huge personality and charms everyone we meet by wrapping his white furry paws around their legs and giving them cuddles.

Over the last 20 years, more and more dogs have been trained for the purpose of improving deaf people’s lives. People with profound hearing loss benefit most from having a hearing dog because they encourage other people to come up and talk to you, breaking the ice and communication barrier, giving you more confidence.

If you’re deaf and thinking about adopting a hearing dog or know someone who is deaf and might benefit from having a service dog, this article is for you.

What is a hearing guide dog and what do they do?

It’s important to distinguish between guide dogs and hearing dogs. Guide dogs, also known as seeing eye dogs, are service dogs for people who are blind, helping them cross the street and navigate through public places. Hearing dogs, also known as hearing ear dogs, alert deaf people to specific sounds in the workplace, home, and public, for which they were trained to identify as sounds the owner wants to know about, for example, a fire alarm, the telephone ringing or a baby crying.

Some hearing guide dogs are trained as dual purpose dogs, such as Guide Dogs which are also trained to alert to sounds.

Because barking may not be audible by their deaf owners, hearing dogs are trained to use physical contact to alert people to sounds. They’ll touch you with their paws or nudge you with their nose and then lead you to the source of the sound. With sounds relating to danger, your dog’s trainer would have instructed you as to what the dog was taught to do to indicate a threat, for example, laying down after nudging you with their nose.

Hearing Dogs Scotch, Radley and Bailey

Which dog breeds make good hearing dogs?

Many breeds of dogs possess the traits necessary for sound alerting work, but some breeds are more suitable than others. Hearing dogs have a specific breeding programme, which mostly consists of Cocker Spaniels, Cockerpoos, Labradors and Golden Retrievers.

However, hearing dogs should possess a specific temperament. A good assistance dog is lively with a desire for physical touch and affection, they obey the rules and can remain calm in stressful situations and busy environments. Even when they have the right temperament, service dogs need regular practice to keep their skills sharp.

You can request a specific personality and breed type, and the trainers will then try to find you a match. Dogs need to be very confident to work in London so the waiting list might be longer for recipients living in the capital.

5 Powerful benefits of having a hearing dog

Safety and security
Dogs alert their owners to warning sounds and to people calling their name. Bailey informs me of the smoke alarm in the house, fire alarms in public, the doorbell, cooker timer (which I also use for filling the bath), and my alarm clock. He loves answering the front door, although sometimes he forgets to alert me, and goes to the front door by himself!
Confidence
A hearing dog enhances their owner’s independence and mobility. Dogs are especially alert and responsive to their environment, giving you the assurance you need to embrace the outside world. Also, having an assistance dog shifts the focus away from your hearing loss toward your competence in handling such a highly trained dog, which gives you that extra boost of confidence when meeting new people.
Companionship
The bond between deaf owner and hearing dog is as strong as any relationship. Bailey is a morning ‘person’, I am not, but I get a huge cuddle from him every morning which is lovely and helps me start my day. Having a dog alleviates the feelings of loneliness that often accompany hearing loss and combats depression.
Social integration
Hearing dogs act as social facilitators, enabling contact with other people and so enhancing the likelihood of social interactions. Never underestimate the importance of casual contacts, like when a person stops to pet your dog and chat with you. This helps alleviate the feeling of being excluded, which we as deaf people experience frequently.
Improved emotional and physical wellbeing
Having the support of your service dog helps alleviate anxiety and increases the number and quality of greetings and passing social contacts you’ll have in the course of a day. Dogs are a source of comfort, making their owners feel valued because they are essentially fulfilling the esteem function of ‘needing to be needed’. Another benefit of a hearing dog is you have to walk him daily and you, therefore, will be forced to get some exercise.

Although alerting you to sounds might be the primary reason to adopt a hearing dog, I believe the greatest benefit these dogs provide deaf people is their companionship, reducing feelings of loneliness and facilitating social interactions, giving you more confidence to engage with a hearing world.

If you’re considering getting a hearing dog, do it. The organisation in the UK which trains dogs to assist deaf people is Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

If you have any hearing dog stories, please share them in the comment section below, I would love to read them.

Source:

Lane, D.R., McNicholas, J. & Collis, G.M. (1998). Dogs for the disabled: benefits to recipients and welfare of dogs. [Electronic version].

28 replies

Jena says:
July 4, 2017 at 4:12 pm

I have a hearing dog his name is Rudy you can follow him on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/rescued.rudy.1?fref=gc&hc_location=ufi and on Instagram #rescuedrudy any questions you have let me know .
Reply
- Taylor says:
  May 14, 2020 at 10:12 pm
  
  I am trying to gather information on training a dog to become a hearing dog. I have an 8 year old that when she does not have her implants on is deaf. I am very concerned with if something like a fire happens she will not be aware. Any information is helpful.
  Reply
  - Haila says:
    June 6, 2020 at 5:17 am
    
    Hello, my situation is similar except for fact I’m the one in need for a Hearing Dog 🙂 and I use hearing aids instead of implants. Do u has InstaGram?
    Reply
Tabitha says:
July 4, 2017 at 4:34 pm

This is my Hearing (as well as Mobility and Seizure Alert) Service Dog, Leah. She is 11 1/2 years old and mostly retired (she still loves to do her alerts and retrievals, but doesn’t have the stamina for most errands).
Reply
Alanna says:
July 4, 2017 at 4:51 pm

Dogs are the joy of the world.
Reply
lorna hagen says:
July 4, 2017 at 6:09 pm

i have a hearing dog, a cocker spaniel, she has change my life since getting her 3 years ago this year in aug, i have more confidence, in more ways than one i may add, i integrate more with the ‘hearing world’ and dont feel so isolated and alone, i love having her around due companionship, security, safety she gives me when out and about, wether on my own walking her or doing her job. so much so i volunteer and on the committee for our local hearing dog branch, raising money for them, as my way of giving back to them for having her, she loves her time out mucking about with her two house mates the cats and her dog friends she has where we live…. she has the best of both worlds, we both have a strong bond, she has been with me through 3 lots of surgery since having her and she has helped with my recovery, fitness etc, why i love her lots, wont be without her now
Reply
- Carole Muddiman says:
  July 5, 2017 at 10:22 am
  
  It works both ways ! Lorna’s Hearing Dog is very lucky to have such a loving, caring and understanding recipient who gives her an amazing dog’s life. A wonderful win, win situation. May this last for many years to come.
  Reply
Clem says:
July 4, 2017 at 6:48 pm

I will get a puppy. How can I get her trained, how does it cost or are there any programs that help with training and costs? In USA.
Reply
- Tina Lannin says:
  July 4, 2017 at 8:18 pm
  
  There are a number of programs in the USA, if you google them you should be able to find one for your area.
  Reply
Laura Riggs says:
July 4, 2017 at 7:29 pm

What are the qualifications for getting a hearing dog?
Reply
- Tina Lannin says:
  July 4, 2017 at 8:20 pm
  
  In the UK, the criteria are here: https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/faqs/application/
  Reply
James says:
July 4, 2017 at 7:37 pm

I need new hearing dog help I am Deaf yes my mane is James O’Grady I am Live in silver spring MD stay house home yes I am alone my oldest dog sleep nest alway much time any time feel cool he is mane wiley 9 age oldert face white gray yes slow mix puggle mix yes one new hearing dog use for me Deaf hard time so ok
Reply
Kaitlynn says:
July 4, 2017 at 10:33 pm

I have a hearing dog. She has 100% made my life more livable without relying so heavily on others. She’s given me a lot of independence. She has an Instagram @believeinyoursoph that you could follow to see some of her tasks
Reply
Marlene says:
July 4, 2017 at 10:35 pm

And security I’m sure. I am profound deaf and I wish I had one. Night in the dark are scary.
Reply
- Kaitlynn says:
  July 4, 2017 at 11:22 pm
  
  Yes! It makes me feel so much safer. She notifies me when people approach from behind and makes me feel more comfortable at night. She doesn’t do protection work, because service dogs can’t do that, but just having her with me helps a lot at night. I am also profoundly deaf.
  Reply
Susan says:
July 4, 2017 at 11:19 pm

I believe that. My dogs know when I am sad, in pain or just having a bad day. They are always there to offer consoling.
Reply
Christy says:
July 5, 2017 at 2:38 am

This is so interesting! Does anyone know how I could get my current dog trained for this? He has exactly the right tempremant
Reply
- Kaitlynn says:
  July 5, 2017 at 3:12 am
  
  Where do you live? Depending on your location, I can maybe help.
  Reply
Keshia says:
July 5, 2017 at 2:44 am

I’m deaf and Ilive in nc i’m interesting look small dog …..more good training and good around my kids too
Reply
- Jena says:
  July 5, 2017 at 3:14 am
  
  Join my group called service dog talk many other people with service dogs and professional trainers on there. Make a post on there and someone can probably steer you in the right direction. My son is 21 months and we have a service dog
  Reply
Kaitlynn says:
July 5, 2017 at 3:20 am

http://pawstrainingcenters.com/type…/service-dog-training/

I found this organization!
Reply
- Debbie says:
  July 7, 2017 at 12:36 pm
  
  Look into local trainers, ask if they can do it.
  Reply
Christy says:
July 5, 2017 at 4:26 am

I’m in Milwaukie Oregon
Reply
Debbie says:
July 5, 2017 at 10:55 pm

Tremendously! It gives your independence.
Reply
Robert Havill says:
February 12, 2020 at 12:33 am

I am deaf with cochlear implants in both ears. I have been deaf all my life. I lost my dog a few months ago. He was almost 18 years old. He was difficult, a Jack Russell Terrier, but I loved him and took good care of him. I am looking for a service dog for the deaf, can you help me. I live in central Florida.
Reply
- Tina Lannin says:
  February 17, 2020 at 2:59 pm
  
  Hi Robert, I am sorry to hear of your dog’s passing, that is a great blow. I am based in the UK so I don’t know the organisations in the USA. It would be best to google “service dogs” and see what comes up in your region. Good luck!
  Reply