[Closed] Hearing dogs for the deaf

Eh, what did you say?

sorry couldn't resist.

Coat please!

Pardon

[img] [/img]

I think they need to be profoundly deaf to the point of not being able to hear anything - hearing dogs tend to be used by those who can't identify a fire alarm, smoke detector, door bell etc.

IIRC they're like guide dogs, charity supplied aren't they? Contact the charity and see what their criteria are.

You need to be severely or profoundly deaf to qualify.

Reason i ask is that my Nan is quite deaf, she can hear the phone if she is in the same room with her hearing aid in, we have extended the front door bell so it rings in the lounge, but if she is anywhere else in the house she can't hear it, she now just leaves the front door unlocked for anyone to walk in

Her sense of smell/taste is going too, so much so that the gas hob was left on unlit for approx. 14 hours the other week, she didn't notice, thankfully due to size of house it didn't cause an explosion/her to be poisoned.

Also my Grandad died in August, since then she has been feeling very lonely and has mentioned a few times she'd love a dog. Now i'd go out tomorrow and buy her a Labrador puppy, but as she's a bit wobbly on her feet i can see her tripping over an excitable pup...So i feel a trained hearing dog will provide both assistance and company for her.

Are there any other options that i perhaps haven't considered? Something like a guide dog that hasn't made the grade?

Whats the model of her hearing aid, if it NHS the make may be either Siemens, Oticon or Resound they are most common in England and Wales. Scotland contracts differ. If she is without her hearing aid/s (does she wear one or a pair)can she hear anything or is she completely lost without them.

Email me and I can advise you on the best approach to improve her hearing, also it may be worth her apply for a hearing dog.

Thanks Flippin

I know she did have 2 but they weren't working/right for her, she has one now but at the moment i don't know the make.

If she hasn't got it in then i can be 4 feet away shouting and she can't make out what i'm saying . I'll drop you a mail when i know what make it is

Where about is she in the uk, I can also find out the best facilities for her in regards to her hearing in her area.

[url= http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/about_apply.php ]http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/about_apply.php[/url]

A lot of information there. I would say, an older lady who is 'a bit wobbly on her feet' might not be best suited to having a dog, regardless of good intent.

Shropshire Flippin

Anywhere near Church Stoke or Shrewsbury as I have clients to see there, if so I could asses her hearing and advise on what could be done for her (no charge).

Houns

As you nan is too wobbly on her feet aswell being very old, I dont think having a dog will be good idea as the dog do require to go for walks, etc...

Maybe you should try take her to hospital where they have the hard of hearing department to have her hearing tested and get more powerful hearing aids for both ears so she can hear the noise and sound in the house.

If she cant hear at the moment, it's no good having a dog if it is barking at her like doorbell is ringing, etc...

There are a lot of ancillary devices that can be fitted to her home to help and also can be used with certain hearing aids to enhance her ability to hear TV Phone Doorbell, Alarm clock etc.

The question of course is: Do blind dogs chase white sticks?