A service animal is a trained dog that performs certain tasks for persons with disabilities (PWD). According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), these dogs undergo individual training to help meet their handler’s needs.

For instance, a person with a hearing impairment can benefit from the assistance of a Hearing or Signal dog. Primarily, these dogs give signals when hearing a sound like the banging of a door, an approaching car, or someone talking to the handler. Hearing dogs tap or touch their handler and guide them towards the sound.

Hearing dogs (like other service animals) are not required to wear any special vest or display identification, but you using a leash can keep them safe. In addition, there are no specific certifications and registration for these hearing dogs. Although there are organizations selling certifications online, they’re not known as part of ADA.

If you require a hearing dog, here are some important things you should know about them. Read on.

What are Certain Characteristics of Hearing Dogs?

Think of hearing dogs as an alternative ear for deaf individuals. But for them to be effective, they need to possess certain characteristics that are crucial for a hearing dog. For example, they should be alert and mindful of the sounds around them. This way, they could guide their handler accordingly.

They should also be able to focus on their tasks and not get easily distracted by the environment. When in public places, they should be able to remain calm and friendly. Handlers should be at ease bringing their hearing dogs to the grocery store, restaurants, and hotels.

That said, not all dog breeds can be hearing dogs. They should be trainable and have naturally good temperaments. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels are some of the best breed choices for hearing dogs.

What Do Hearing Dogs Do?

Service animals like hearing dogs assist those with hearing loss or impairment. Their training enables them to be familiar with the usual sounds and alert the handlers. They become the ears of these persons with disabilities. They know different kinds of sounds like doorbells, alarms, people’s voices, and the sound of microwaves and other appliances.

Moreover, hearing dogs can give a warning signal when their handlers are at risk. For instance, they give physical contact through pawing, helping the handler be aware of what’s happening around them.

A person with hearing impairment gets a hearing dog to assist in her daily routine. They will know when someone knocks on the door, an item falls on the floor, or a bus approaches when they’re about to cross the street. This is because the hearing dogs alert them upon hearing the sound.

How Much Does It Cost to Train a Hearing Dog?

Training service animals to be signal dogs can be quite expensive. It’s somewhere in the range of $20,000 or more. However, the additional cost may vary from one organization to another. Some require application fees, while others offer them for free and shoulder the expenses through donations. Regardless, clients are still expected to share in the cost — either through fundraising or paying with their own money.

Conclusion

Hearing dogs are a helpful companion to individuals with hearing loss or a hearing impairment. These dogs undergo a series of training on common sounds and audio-response activities. After that, a hearing dog will be matched with a PWD and go into training on how to effectively work as a team.

Additionally, keep in mind that a hearing dog should not replace hearing devices. Instead, they serve as a form of support. So, if you need a hearing aid, get one.

When working with a hearing dog, learn to trust and respect their company. After all, a hearing dog won’t just be your “ears,” but they can also be your happy companion.

Do you own an assistance animal? Register your pet today.

The Service Animal Registry of California invites you to have your assistance animal registered in order to designate its status. We also encourage you to take our online classes so you can be fully aware of your rights and gain more knowledge about your support animal.

Finally, we present to you our book entitled, “ASSISTANCE ANIMAL LAWS: LEARN YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, THERAPY PETS, AND OTHER DOGS, CATS, AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS” to provide you with a complete education on assistance animals. Purchase your copy of the book by clicking the image below.