Many people underestimate the difficulties that people with hearing problems go through. We take for granted our natural abilities to hear and respond to the sounds around us, from phones and door knocks, to alarms and sirens. These dogs help people to become aware of these sounds by being their ears for them.

Hearing Dogs Can...

• Alert to door knocking;
• Identify a phone ringing;
• Help to identify the presence of intruders in the household;
• Alert people to the sound of a siren or alarm;
  • All Hearing Dogs must have completed a minimum of 60 hours of training.
  • Hearing Dogs have spent a minimum of 3 months with a Canine Helpers trainer.
  • Hearing Dogs have spent at least 20 hours training in high distraction public places.
  • Hearing Dogs have been obedience trained to a standard that would allow their new handlers to compete in Australian National Kennel Council Obedience Trials if they wished to. Some Hearing Dogs may have already competed if time has allowed.
  • Hearing Dog recipients complete a six day training course.

Hearing Dogs do this in one of two ways. Firstly, for someone who is only mildly hard of hearing, the dog may bark at certain sounds and then lead the person to them. This function is often done naturally by a dog when it realises its owner's hearing is failing.

Most officially trained Hearing Dogs alert to noises by physically touching the person with paw or nose, and then leading them to the sound. This method is obviously more appropriate for people who are totally deaf, however you do not need to be totally deaf to receive a Hearing Dog.

Hearing Dogs take three  or more months to train from adulthood. Most Hearing Dogs are obtained by Canine Helpers as adults from breeders or animal shelters. Unlike other types of Assistance Dog, Hearing Dogs can be a wide range of breeds, from very tiny dogs like Silky Terriers to much larger dogs such as German Shepherds.

A person with a hearing dog develops a greater sense of autonomy through having the dog as a helper rather than having to rely on another person. The security of knowing that they will not miss someone at the door, or even the fire alarm, can increase the owner's peace of mind. In the event of a fire or natural disaster, a Hearing Dog can be a life-saver.

Hearing Dog Application Forms

Please ensure that you download, complete and return ALL of the forms.

Hearing Dog Application Information Booklet

Hearing Dog Application Form

Medical Release and History Form

Training Assistant Questionnaire (optional)