Have you heard of hearing dogs?

There would be few Australians who do not recognise a Guide Dog and acknowledge its right to accompany its owner onto public transport and into stores or restaurants.

Neither so well known nor as identifiable are the “Hearing Dogs” which alert their hearing impaired owners to a variety of sounds.

Hearing Dogs are often smaller crossbreeds obtained from animal welfare shelters after careful assessment of their temperament and trainability.

After months of intensive training using positive reinforcement methods, the dogs are carefully matched with a hearing impaired person.

A Hearing Dog alerts its owner to sounds through the use of its body. It may run back and forth between its owner and the sound or it may physically lead the owner to the sound source.

A Hearing Dog is trained to let its owner know when:

• The phone rings

• The doorbell buzzes

• There’s a knock at the door

• The smoke alarm sounds

• The alarm clock rings

• The kitchen timer sounds

• Its owner’s name is called


In response to either a smoke alarm or alarm clock, a Hearing Dog is taught to jump onto a bed or couch and alert a sleeping person using either a nose nudge or some other form of physical contact.

Because a Hearing Dog is able to alert the owner to the presence of others nearby it is also able to assist in providing a strong sense of security.

A Hearing Dog may also relieve some of the stress associated with communicating to hearing individuals and help the hearing impaired person socialize more effectively and freely. The dog may increase self confidence and esteem as they rely less on others for basic support.

Companionship is another positive aspect of a Hearing Dog with many owners and their dogs sharing a very special bond of friendship and trust.