Press releases

Eddie - Life-Changing Hearing Dog of the Year

STEADY EDDIE WINS NATIONAL AWARD

A three-year-old hearing dog that acts as the ears for his severely deaf owner has been named Life-Changing Hearing Dog of the Year by the charity that trained him.  Little bichon frise cross Eddie was presented with the award by celebrity Esther Rantzen at the Charity’s recent Summer Fayre held at their headquarters in Buckinghamshire.  This annual award is given in recognition of the huge difference hearing dogs make to their deaf owners – changing their lives dramatically.

Hearing dogs are trained to alert their owners to everyday household sounds including the doorbell, telephone, cooker timer and alarm clock, touching them with a paw when they hear a sound and leading them to the source of the sound.  With danger sounds such as the smoke alarm and fire bell, the dogs will alert then drop straight to the floor.  The majority of dogs selected by the Charity for training come from rescue centres or are donated by members of the public.  Some, like Eddie, are specially bred by the Charity.

When Nicola (31) suddenly lost her hearing in her twenties her world crashed.  She was a full-time single mum who had had no previous contact with young deaf people.  When she was given her hearing aids she was offered no emotional support or information on support groups, or what to do next.  She had a breakdown.  “I didn’t want to go out as I panicked,” she says. “I just wanted to hide in bed.  As a single mum I relied on support from my young son, who would listen for the door or tell me when dinner was ready.  It started to have an effect on him as he worried if there was a fire I would not hear the smoke alarm.  He would not go outside to play or go to see his friends as he was scared that I would not hear danger sounds or miss an important call.  He saw me depressed and crying a lot.  Our roles changed: he was like the mum and I the kid.”

Fortunately Nicola’s sister started lipreading classes and it was there she learned that she could benefit from a hearing dog.  So Nicola applied.  Eddie was placed with her in June 2006 and that is when her life began to turn around.  She explains: “I have had Eddie now for a year and wow, what a change!  He supports me not only for the important sounds but also emotionally and socially.  Everybody knows us well at the park.  My son now plays out and does his own thing, happy in the knowledge that Eddie will look after me.  Also my son knows he can call Eddie for help, as Eddie will come and get me.”

Hearing Dogs’ co-founder Anthony Blunt judged the Life-Changing Hearing Dog category.  He said of Eddie: “This is the perfect example of the impact a hearing dog has, not only on his deaf owner but also on the whole family.  Eddie is making a difference to Nicola and her son, and fully deserves recognition for the dramatic change he has made to their lives.”

Nicola has no hesitation in agreeing.  “Eddie is my friend and is very clever.  He is always learning new sounds, and he now knows my new mobile.  He tells me when the microwave dings – a sound which he taught himself.  It is great to have a cute face in front of your eyes first thing in the morning.  Eddie has changed my life completely.”