Amy Meservey, Training Manager at e3 Diagnostics, has lived with hearing loss her entire life. Deaf in her right ear and with moderate-to-severe hearing loss in her left, her condition resulted from her mother contracting rubella during pregnancy. Diagnosed at around 4 or 5 years old, Amy began using a hearing aid in her left ear at age 30.
This 10-question Q&A shares her journey to finding a service dog for her hearing needs. A valuable read for clinicians supporting patients and individuals considering a service dog.
Q1: What led you to consider getting a service dog and how did you first learn about service dogs for people with hearing loss?
A: In 2018, during a busy work week, I missed urgent calls from my daughter because I had removed my hearing aid. This made me realize I needed a way to hear important sounds even without it. I first learned about service dogs for hearing loss from a social media post where a man used a hearing dog to feel less isolated.
This inspired me to look into getting a service dog for myself.
Q2: What organization did you work with to get your service dog? How did you find this organization?
A: I got my service dog from an organization called Paws With A Cause®. I found them through a recommendation from a friend after applying to several other organizations without success. It’s challenging to get on a list because many people need service dogs, and only a few dogs make it through the programs.
Q3: Can you describe the application process for obtaining a service dog?
A: Certainly. I applied to PAWS® in January 2022. They only accept applications from January to March to manage the review process. I set an alarm to apply on the first day and quickly moved to the next step after submitting my application.
The process involved several steps. Initially, I submitted an online application and received a quick response confirming I met the qualifications. Then, I had to complete a detailed application, which included medical forms, letters of reference, and an audiogram to verify my hearing loss. In August 2022, a background check was conducted for everyone in my household to ensure there was no history of animal abuse.
In October 2022, a field representative visited my home for a needs assessment. They interviewed my family, observed my interaction with a service dog, and checked the home environment. I received approval in January 2023, confirming my eligibility.
By September 2023, I was matched with Jolie, a service dog, and received her picture to confirm she met my needs. Jolie arrived in March 2024, and after training, she was certified with me in July 2024.
Q4: How did you and your service dog get matched? What factors were considered in the pairing process?
A: The first requirement for a hearing dog is that it must be able to listen for specific sounds without reacting to all noises. During the needs assessment, they recorded the sounds I needed the dog to recognize and tested different dogs with those sounds.
They also considered the dog’s temperament. Since I have other animals, including birds and a cat, they needed a dog without a strong prey instinct that could coexist peacefully with my pets. The dog also had to have the right temperament to be a service dog and undergo extensive training.
Q5 What kind of training does a service dog go through before being matched with someone?
A: Service dogs undergo extensive training before being matched. Initially, puppy raisers teach basic obedience. With Paws With a Cause, the dogs enter a prison program where selected inmates provide advanced obedience training for about six months. After passing this stage, the dogs go to Paws With A Cause’s headquarters in Michigan for further training.
Once matched, the dog continues training with the new owner for four to six months. A field representative visits weekly to train the dog in the owner’s home environment. About a month before certification, there’s a no-contact period to ensure the owner has been working with the dog independently.
It’s important to note that in the U.S., service dogs don’t need official certification, but they must assist with a medical disability and behave well in public. Paws With A Cause prefers their teams to be accredited, so they require passing a comprehensive certification test.
I appreciate that Paws With A Cause conducts training in the owner’s home, allowing the dog to learn in its natural environment. This approach contrasts with other programs that require owners to train at the organization’s headquarters.
Q6: What tasks does your service dog perform to assist you in your daily life?
A: My service dog helps me with various sounds that I might miss due to my hearing loss. She alerts me to sirens when I’m driving, which I often don’t hear, and notifies me of ringing phones, alarms on devices like Alexa, and kitchen timers.
One crucial task is responding when someone calls my name. Being deaf in one ear, I can’t determine the direction of sounds. She finds the person calling me and leads me to them. She also alerts me to door knocks, doorbells, and potential intruder sounds like breaking glass.
Additionally, I’ve trained her to find my phone when it beeps, which is helpful since I sometimes can’t locate it by sound alone. In the car, she nudges my arm if there’s a siren, and when we’re walking, she touches my leg to alert me. At home, she finds me and leads me to the source of sounds like oven alarms, preventing mishaps like burnt food.
Q7: Can you share any challenges you faced during the training or adjustment period with your service dog?
A: The first month was the most challenging. My service dog and I were getting used to each other, and Paws With A Cause has a rule that no one else in the household can interact with the dog during this period to help build a bond. This was tough because I had my daughter, son, and husband at home, and they couldn’t even look at her.
I was also worried that if I didn’t do everything perfectly, they might take her away. My field representative reassured me that this wouldn’t happen unless there was abuse, which helped me relax.
Initially, we weren’t allowed to go for walks. I could only take her outside for bathroom breaks to avoid developing bad habits. This meant spending a lot of time indoors without much interaction with others, which was difficult.
Q8: Did you encounter any surprises or unexpected experiences along the way?
A: One of the biggest surprises was how well children in my neighborhood understood not to pet a service dog while it’s working. They would see her vest and say, “That dog’s working, so we can’t touch her,” and even remind their parents. It was often the adults who didn’t follow this rule.
Another surprise was how quickly I could teach her new sounds, like finding my phone with my watch. I initially thought I would need to contact Paws With A Cause for every new sound, but they taught me how to train her myself, and she picked it up very quickly.
Q9: How has having a service dog improved your ability to communicate and stay safe in different environments?
A: I love hiking, but I used to get startled when bikers approached from behind because I couldn’t hear them. My service dog now alerts me to their presence, helping me avoid sudden scares. She also assists in traffic situations by stopping when a car is approaching, ensuring I stay safe while crossing streets.
Additionally, she helps me in various environments by alerting me to important sounds, making it easier to communicate and stay aware of my surroundings. This has significantly improved my confidence and safety in daily activities
Q10: What advice would you give to someone who is hard of hearing and considering a service dog?
A: First, see your audiologist and get an audiogram if you haven’t already. Then, apply to as many service dog organizations as possible right away. Don’t wait to hear back from one before applying to others, as the process can take a long time.
It’s also helpful to learn some basic obedience training before getting the dog. This way, you’ll be more prepared when the dog arrives. Additionally, think about the specific sounds you need the dog to be trained on and make a list. This will help you communicate your needs clearly to the field representative assisting you.
Overall, be persistent and proactive in your applications, and prepare yourself with some basic training knowledge.
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e3 Diagnostics is the leading audiology and balance equipment distributor and service provider in the United States. Visit our service page to request your annual equipment calibration or contact your local office to speak with an expert about your diagnostic equipment needs.
