Hearing Dogs

Every sound tells a story when you have the right companion listening alongside you. PAWS hearing dogs are individually trained to alert people with hearing impairments to important sounds, creating safer and more connected daily experiences.

You're Always Connected

PAWS hearing dogs become your bridge to the world of sound, creating connections you might otherwise miss. These intelligent companions don’t just alert you to noise—they become your personal interpreters, ensuring you’re never isolated from the important moments and safety signals that surround you every day.

In addition to performing tasks related to hearing loss, a PAWS dog can also be trained to assist with tasks related to a seizure disorder or physical disability.

What your hearing dog can do for you:

Physically alert you to common sounds such as a smoke alarm, doorbell, alarm clock, telephone ring, or a child’s cry
Nudge or paws you, alerting you to a sound, and then leading you to its source
Be taught to respond to American Sign Language for people who are non-speaking

Do you qualify for a hearing dog?

To be eligible for a PAWS hearing dog, an individual must:

Be 18 years or older
Have a minimum of moderate to severe bilateral hearing loss
If the dog is also trained for seizure tasks, an individual must have a minimum of one epileptic seizure per month
Be physically and cognitively capable of independently completing in-home and public access training
Be able to independently command and handle their assistance dog

Be able to meet the emotional, physical, and financial needs of their assistance dog
Be in a stable home environment
Actively improve their quality of life and pursue independence with their assistance dog
Have no other dog in the home (other types of pets are permitted)
Live in an area serviced by a PAWS field representative (determined upon application)

Client Stories

The Power of Partnership: Maureen and REGGIE’s Life-Changing Bond

“To me, REGGIE has been the greatest and best in the whole world. He has enhanced every part of my life.”

Confidence, Comfort, and a Raft in the Pool: Kade and STERLING’s PAWS Journey

“Kade is more confident in himself. He feels more independent, even in areas we weren’t expecting.”

Lifeline on Four Legs: Kimberly and WAGS’ Journey of Independence

“She’s a hundred times better than a lifeline button. She’s always watching, always working. My four-legged coworker of the year.”

Have questions?

Get the answers you need to take the next step. Our comprehensive FAQ page addresses common questions about service dogs, the application process, and how we support you from start to finish.