Hearing Dogs for Deaf People

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a national charity that trains dogs to alert deaf children and adults to important and life-saving sounds they would otherwise miss, such as smoke alarms, intruder alarms, the alarm clock, cooker timers and even baby monitors and text message alerts. Being aware of these sounds, thanks to a highly trained hearing dog, makes a real difference to deaf people’s lives and can even save them. 

But these clever canines do so much more than alert deaf people to sounds. They also provide constant emotional support and companionship, which is equally as important. Many deaf people can experience loneliness and isolation as a result of their invisible disability. A hearing dog can give a deaf person a newfound sense of independence and the confidence to reconnect with friends, family, their community and the world around them. 

The charity, which is funded entirely by donations, matches its dogs to deaf people based on people’s needs, lifestyles and home, social and work environments and then supports the partnership for the duration of the dogs’ working lives. The cost of training and ongoing support for each hearing dog partnership is £40,000 and the charity currently has almost 1,000 working hearing dog partnerships across the UK.

This year marks the charity’s 40th anniversary, and since its inception they have matched over 2,500 dogs to their deaf partners. Dogs are at the heart of what they do but Hearing Dogs for Deaf People also provide a range of other personalised services to help anyone experiencing hearing loss.

Website
Facebook 
Instagram
Twitter

Nicky Campbell appeals on behalf of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, the UK’s only charity that trains dogs to alert deaf people to sounds they would otherwise miss. 

“For 40 years, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has trained dogs to alert deaf children and adults to important sounds, improving, and even saving, countless lives. But the emotional benefits of having a hearing dog are just as important. As a dog lover myself, I understand first-hand the difference a dog’s love, companionship and support can make to your life. These amazing hearing dogs have the power to help deaf people overcome feelings of loneliness, anxiety and isolation – something that can be common for people with hearing loss."

"This combination of practical assistance and lifelong friendship is life changing. But demand for a hearing dog is high from all corners of the UK. In the last two years alone, enquiries have risen by 30%, which is why I’m asking for your support. Please give what you can to help the charity train as many dogs as possible to help more deaf people like Chalky, James and Shmita leave loneliness behind and reconnect with life.”

Chalky was diagnosed profoundly deaf aged 3. In her adult life, she found some barriers insurmountable. 

Chalky was constantly anxious about the future. She was worried about missing sounds and about her daughter’s safety. Chalky and her daughter, Layla, live alone and she had many sleepless nights worrying about the fire alarm going off or a burglar getting into the house. Everything changed when hearing dog Eddison came into her life. 

Today, Chalky doesn’t worry about the future. With Eddison, Chalky knows she and her daughter are safe and that means she doesn’t have to worry about relying on her daughter. It is a great comfort to Chalky knowing her daughter can experience her childhood to the full and she won’t grow up having to look after her.  Chalky is now leading the full life she wants and deserves, free from anxiety and worry, thanks to Eddison.

James, 29, found every day a struggle since losing his hearing as a toddler. Deafness created barriers in the workplace, at home and in his social life on a daily basis.

When Cracker bounded into his world, James’ life changed completely. He immediately felt safer and could relax with Cracker by his side in the knowledge that people would realise he was deaf and be prompted to interact with him in clearer and kinder ways, particularly when it came to his journey into work. 

Cracker has also made a huge difference to James’ life in the office itself. Often, people would start conversations without him realising or would forget to face him so he could lipread. This made things difficult every day. Now, thanks to the distinctive burgundy jacket Cracker wears, his colleagues are much more aware of the adjustments they need to make to communicate with him. 

Cracker is his constant companion and steady supply of happiness and love. The feelings of loneliness and isolation James felt before have disappeared with Cracker by his side, always there to provide support, comfort and happy distraction.

When Shmita was just 6 years old she lost her hearing after an accident. Her hearing loss left her feeling anxious all the time. However, it wasn’t until later in life when her daughters grew up and their work and studies meant they naturally had to live more independent lives that Shmita decided to apply for a hearing dog. 

Despite having a loving and supportive family, loneliness hit her hard and she realised how much she had depended on her children for help. Shmita spent a lot of time alone in her flat, feeling deeply sad and lonely.

Hearing dog Harris changed everything for Shmita. With a constant companion by her side, Shmita has grown in confidence. Harris has opened up so many new experiences for her – she leaves the house more, taking Harris with her to shops and cafes. With Harris in her life, Shmita now feels able to embrace life and be herself.