As seeing dogs see for their owners who are blind, hearing dogs hear for their owners. Thanks to these specially-trained canine companions, people who are hearing impaired can now respond to such sounds as doorbells, alarm clocks, and oven timers. More importantly, they can also react to sounds of danger or warning such as a smoke alarm, a baby's cry, or the noise of an intruder. The dogs alert their owners to a noise by running back and forth between their master and the sound.
Training can take anywhere from three months to a year.
And, the benefit for people who are hearing impaired can be immeasurable. Hearing dogs offer their human companions an extra sense of security and independence. The relationship is not one-sided, though. Since hearing dogs do not have to be a particular size or bread, they are usually selected from local humane societies or animal control agencies, providing the animals an alternative to certain death. The American Humane Association serves as an advocacy and referral center for hearing dogs.