Hearing Aids for Pets?

Ok, so I was working with one of my students today helping him research different topics related to hearing loss. He wanted to learn more about people who are deaf, hearing aids, and animals that are deaf. He asked out loud, "I wonder if they have hearing aids for pets?" I smirked and thought to myself, "That's ridiculous! Hearing aids for dogs? Cats? Give me a break." It is a very interesting question, though. I told him that it was worth looking into and we should do some research on this. Of course it is possible. Why not? But would anyone really take the time and money to develop hearing aids for Fido?        

My main question would be, "How would you persuade your dog or cat to keep them in their ears?" My cat screeched and nearly tore my eyes out when I tried to put a tiny sombrero on his head (I thought it would be cute). I think I would end up in the hospital if I tried to put hearing aids in my cat's ears.

Do dogs and cats really care that they are deaf? I would like to think that they would be perfectly fine as long as they are fed, warm, dry, and loved. I know that there are many pet owners who would do anything for their pets, but come on, hearing aids? Really?

Of course I Googled "Hearing aids for pets." I am surprised that there are several articles about this topic. It seems as if they have developed hearing aids for dogs. Apparently, an audiologist, Dr. A.E. Marshall, researched and experimented with this idea for a long time before actually developing hearing aids for dogs. He found that hearing loss between humans and animals are very similar and that dogs would actually benefit from hearing aids. Of course the major setback was actually getting dogs to wear them.
I have also found out that there are some veterinary clinics that will provide hearing tests and hearing aids for your dog. Some of them offer hearing aids for $250.00 a piece (I wish my hearing aids were that inexpensive!). There are even some articles discussing cochlear implantation for dogs. That's a bit extreme, I think.

I'm sorry, I still think it is ridiculous. I would hate to put any dog through this. Just let them be. They have so many other senses to rely on and it seems as if they would be able to adapt very well with less hearing.

I can't wait to share this with my student. :)

Here are some links to articles about this issue:

• Hearing Aids for Dogs?! But Why!? 

• Hearing Aids for Dogs   

• Are There Hearing Aids for Dogs?

Golden Retriever undergoing a hearing test.

Image from: AISTI

Click on this link, hearing tests for pets, for more pictures of pets undergoing hearing tests (cute! and slightly disturbing).

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The Pros and Cons of being 'Hard of Hearing'

Having a hearing loss or being hard-of-hearing means to have little hearing function in one or both ears. Simply it means to not hear very well. While everyone who has a hearing loss will not share the same exact experiences, they will no doubt share much of the pros and cons of being hard of hearing.
Yes, there are pros.  :)

CONS

1. Repeatedly making others mad or irritable when asking them to repeat themselves ("Eh? What? Huh?").
2. Appearing rude or snobby (I am not ignoring you! I simply didn't hear you.).
3. It can be frustrating to be in the middle. I will never be Hearing and sometimes I am not "deaf enough".
4. Missing most of what is being said in a movie, that is if most of it is dialougue and if it is not captioned. It is tiring and frustrating to strain to hear what is being said (most actors look away while talking or there are many noisy and visual distractions, making it hard to follow what is being said).
5. Being the last one in on a joke or funny discussion within a large group of people in a noisy place (like a crowded restaurant, cafeteria, or bar). Usually when I ask about what was so funny, no one is willing to repeat it, because the moment has passed.
6. When my hearing aid suddenly goes out or stop working during an important meeting.
7. When my neck and shoulders are sore and tense after a long day of meetings and classes (from constantly straining to listen).
8. Repeating idiotic things or what I thought the other person said ("What? A robotic salami?").
9. When someone or something is unexpectedly coming at me to my left side (profoudly deaf side).
10. When people try to have a conversation with me while in another room or when I am sitting in the backseat of a car while they are in the front.


PROS

1. I have become pretty good at lip reading.
2. My hearing loss inspired me to learn sign language.
3. I can block out noise when I want to by simply turning off my hearing aid and keeping it on (it acts as a really good ear plug).
4. I can block out sounds when I sleep by sleeping on my good ear.
5. It made me who I am today.
6. I've developed an interesting accent.
7. I don't have to worry about losing my hearing when I get older and I don't have to get used to wearing hearing aids like most people will when they are older.
8. It gives me something to write about for my blog.
9. I respect and can understand others who have hearing losses.
10. I have the best of both worlds: the hearing and the deaf.


What other pros and cons are there to being hard of hearing? What are your thoughts?
I would like to hear from everyone (hearing, hard of hearing, deaf, or Deaf).

Please leave a comment!

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The (e Doll With an Attachable Hearing Aid Piece!

This is an (e Doll with an attachable hearing aid piece.

* Doll from Kidrobot (Munny). Painted by Jose Gross. Hearing aid made by Jose Gross.

News Flash: It is Not Good Hygiene to Lick Your Hearing Aid Ear Molds

Who would put their hearing aid in their mouth (the yucky ear mold part) to 'lubricate' it?!

Yuck! Gag!

Apparently there are people out there who do.


Click on link to Audiology Today, Hearing Aids: Lick 'Em and Stick 'Em? to read more about hearing aids and hygiene.


Speaking of licking hearing aids, I saw a segment from MTV's Disaster Date where a blind date (actor, a prank) pretended to be partially deaf and during the 'date' he pulled out his hearing aid and smelled it and licked it! It was hilarious! I hope I will find it online to post it here.


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Widex's 24k Diamond Encrusted Hearing Aid

This is a 24k diamond encrusted hearing aid from Widex. Available for only $42,590.

Click on this link to read more on VaroLogic Blog. 

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Accent

I was born and raised in the south (USA), yet I developed an interesting northern accent due to my hearing loss. Constantly, I am asked by random strangers, "You got an accent. Where are you from?" "Hey, are you from New York?", "Ah, you're from Boston, eh?" (sometimes followed by a "Clam chowdah!"), "Are you from another country? You have an interesting accent." Sometimes, when I tell them that I am from the south and that my accent is because of my deafness, they look embarrassed (especially the idiots who exclaimed,  "Clam chowdah!"). Some of them apologize. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't know!" I think there is no need to apologize; it's kind of funny really.

This is probably the most insulting comment made about my speech: "Oh, your tongue is pierced, huh? I can tell."  (No! I do not have a pierced tongue!!).

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Introduction

This morning I have decided that I should start blogging about everything related to hearing loss (personal and non personal). It would be great to hear (no pun intended) from others about these issues. I have a lot of stories to share about my hearing loss. I am always on the lookout for hearing related issues in the media.

A little about me: My name is Elizabeth or (e.
I have a hearing loss. I am profoundly (almost completely) deaf in my left ear and moderately (somewhat) deaf in my right ear. I wear a behind-the-ear hearing aid in my right ear. To me, my hearing aid resembles a flesh colored plastic shrimp. I have been wearing hearing aids since I was a toddler. Currently, I am a teacher of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. I know American Sign Language, but I am not a native or fluent signer. I started learning sign language about six years ago. It is what led me to become more interested in hearing loss and Deaf culture.

"What's up with the (e ?" you are probably wondering. This is my logo created by Jose Gross. The e is my ear and the ( is my hearing aid. Isn't that cute? :)


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