We love learning about new bloggers in the community, helping to tell their stories of life with hearing loss or speech difficulties. This past week we were introduced to a blog that highlights life living with hearing loss and a hearing dog.
Since 2008 Cathy has shared her tales of life with her guide dog Bosley, and new pup Ekko. Cathy explains why she needs a hearing dog in a post this past April. The hearing dog provides her comfort as she sleeps, and gives her the ears she needs while out in public.
So what is a hearing dog? A hearing dog alerts those who are deaf or hard of hearing to sound allowing for more independence and confidence. As Cathy explains, “The dog hears a sound and alerts the handler by touch, then leads the handler to the sound. Bosley alerted me to timers, alarm clocks, fire alarms, the phone, the door, the kettle, and people calling my name. He also let me know if someone was walking behind us up a dark street, or if there was someone around the house he didn’t know.”
Typical breeds for hard of hearing ear dogs are small to medium sized and often include poodles or labs.