HEARING ASSISTANCE DOGS
ABOUT OUR HEARING ASSISTANCE DOG PROGRAM
Hearing loss affects one in six Australians, with this number expected to rise to one in four by 2050. Nearly 400,000 Australians currently experience severe or profound hearing loss.
Since 1980, Lions Assistance Dogs (formerly Australian Lions Hearing Dogs or ALHD) has been providing life-changing Hearing Assistance Dogs to many hundreds of Australians, thanks to the ongoing generosity of our supporters and Lions Clubs across Australia. Whilst the organisation’s services have expanded into various types of Assistance Dogs, the Hearing Assistance Dog program is our foundational program that shaped us as an organisation.
A Hearing Assistance Dog is trained to support their recipient in two key ways. The first is through sound training; each dog will identify approximately ten common household sounds and is trained to respond by locating the source of the sound, running to the recipient to touch a paw to their leg, before leading them back to the sound. The only exception to this is the smoke alarm; when a dog will instead run directly to the recipient, touch a paw to their leg, and drop to the ground in a warning signal; ensuring both the dog and handler remain safe.
The second part of their training is public access; all Lions Assistance Dogs must pass a Public Access Test (PAT) prior to delivery, an assessment for accreditation 3 months after delivery, and subsequently every two years. Each dog’s behaviour is closely assessed and monitored to ensure it is well-behaved and well-represented in all public environments.
Each Hearing Assistance Dog costs us approximately $40,000 to raise, train and deliver. However, they are provided to recipients free of charge—made possible by through donations from our generous supports and Lions Clubs around Australia, working together for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
Even with assistive technology such as hearing aids and cochlear implants evolving, the demand for a Hearing Assistance Dog continues to increase. However, these devices are not a ‘one size fits all’ for everyone living with hearing loss, and people often do not wear this technology when going to bed, in the shower, or when experiencing noise exhaustion. Whether used independently or in combination with technology, our Assistance Dogs play a vital role in everyday life, offering both practical support and a deep sense of emotional connection and confidence.
The positive impact of having a Hearing Assistance Dog is evident, with benefits reported by recipients including:
- Improved interpersonal relationships
- Enhanced mental and physical health
- Increased social activity and community involvement
- Reduced discrimination against individuals with hearing loss
- Decreased anger and frustration
- Greater employment opportunities, particularly for those with severe hearing loss
- Lower incidence of depression
- Enhanced safety and security
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about the Hearing Assistance Dog program, please feel free to contact us. Alternatively you can apply for a Hearing Assistance Dog below.
