Hearing Loss in Dogs – Symptoms,
Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
What Is Deafness?
Deafness in dogs refers to the partial or complete loss of hearing ability. It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired due to age, trauma, infections, or exposure to loud noises. Signs of deafness include lack of response to sounds, difficulty waking the dog when sleeping, and increased startle response. While deafness cannot be cured, dogs can still lead fulfilling lives with proper care and training. Techniques such as hand signals and vibration cues can be used to communicate with deaf dogs.
Introduction
Have you ever noticed that your furry friend doesn’t seem to react to your voice or the sound of his favorite toy? Well, it might be because he’s experiencing hearing loss, a common condition among dogs. In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in 5 dogs will experience some form of deafness in their lifetime.
If your dog is having trouble hearing, it might be due to deafness. Deafness can mean that your furry friend has a little bit of trouble hearing or can’t hear anything at all. Some reasons for deafness include too much ear wax, bad ear infections, being born with hearing problems, getting older, or getting hurt. In this article, we’ll dive into what deafness is, the different types and causes, and how to identify and manage it in your dog.
Table Of Content
Introduction
Have you ever noticed that your furry friend doesn’t seem to react to your voice or the sound of his favorite toy? Well, it might be because he’s experiencing hearing loss, a common condition among dogs. In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in 5 dogs will experience some form of deafness in their lifetime.
If your dog is having trouble hearing, it might be due to deafness. Deafness can mean that your furry friend has a little bit of trouble hearing or can’t hear anything at all. Some reasons for deafness include too much ear wax, bad ear infections, being born with hearing problems, getting older, or getting hurt. In this article, we’ll dive into what deafness is, the different types and causes, and how to identify and manage it in your dog.
What Is Deafness?
Temporary things can cause this, like too much wax in their ears or permanent issues like old age, injuries, or congenital defects.
If your dog is suddenly not responding to sounds or commands, it might have a hearing problem. This can be caused by temporary things like too much wax in their ears or permanent issues like old age, injuries, or congenital defects. Severe ear infections that go untreated can also cause permanent hearing loss in dogs. One or both ears may be affected.
What Is Deafness Caused By?
A wax build-up can cause temporary hearing loss in your dog’s ear canals. That is especially common in dogs with narrow ear canals, such as poodles. Dogs with lots of hair around their ears can sometimes have trouble with their ears. The hair can gather wax and form a blockage, making it hard for the dog to hear. Sometimes, something else can get stuck in their ear and cause the same problem.
Old age, drug toxicity, injury, or untreated ear infections can cause permanent hearing loss. A dog can also be born without the ability to hear, because of a genetic or anatomical problem.
Certain breeds also have a high occurrence of inherited deafness that usually turns out to be permanent. These are usually pixeled, spotted, or Merle-colored breeds.
How Is Deafness Diagnosed?
Your vet can initially examine your dog’s ear canal for wax accumulation, infections, inflammation, injury, or foreign objects. For more serious cases, one common procedure is BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response). Small electrodes are placed under a dog’s skin to measure its reaction to sounds. This is shown on a computer screen.
When Should I Be Concerned About My Dog’s Hearing?
The following signs may indicate that your dog may be suffering from some form of hearing loss:
- Your dog doesn’t know you’re in the room until you physically touch him or he sees you.
- Your dog turns the wrong way when you call him.
- He shows no response to outside stimuli, such as the doorbell ringing or other dogs barking.
- His head shakes.
- He shows no response or seems confused when given familiar vocal commands.
- He barks excessively.
- He paws his ears or appears to have itchy, painful ears.
- A smelly discharge comes from his ears.
Note: You can test your dog’s hearing by stepping quietly behind him and clapping once loudly to check his response.
Which Dogs Are Prone To Deafness?
- Dogs with narrow ear canals, such as poodles, are susceptible to wax build-up.
- Some dog breeds, like Cocker Spaniels and Terriers, have lots of hair around their ears. This hair can block their ear canals, making it harder for them to hear. To help keep their ears clean and healthy, it’s important to get them checked by a vet regularly.
- Some dog breeds, like the Dalmatian, have a higher chance of being born deaf. Other breeds, like the beagle, bull terrier, English bulldog, and English setter, also have a higher chance of deafness compared to other dogs.
- Breeds with Merle coloring who are at increased risk for deafness include the Australian shepherd, rough collie, Shetland sheepdog, and harlequin Great Dane.
How Can I Communicate With My Deaf Dog?
Love and empathy are the first steps. Don’t get frustrated that your dog no longer responds to you the same way she used to. We also recommend the following:
- Train your dog to understand hand signals. It’s a good idea to use signs she can easily see from far away.
- If you want to get your dog’s attention inside the house, the vibration from a loud stomp may make her take notice.
- A flashlight or laser penlight can also be used to get her attention.
- Make sure your dog knows when you’ve come into a room and when you’re leaving by tapping him gently on the back or shoulder.
How Can I Keep My Deaf Dog Safe?
ASPCA experts offer the following tips:
- Never let a hearing-impaired dog roam outside on her own—she won’t be able to hear traffic. Keep her safely leashed or in a fenced-in yard whenever she’s outdoors.
- Teach your dog simple, visible hand signals that help you stay in communication while outside the house.
- Attach a bell to your dog’s collar so that you can hear him if he escapes or becomes lost.
How Can Deafness Be Prevented?
- To prevent deafness in dogs, it’s important to only breed dogs with healthy hearing.
- Some breeds, like Dalmatians, may still have puppies with hearing problems even if their parents have healthy hearing.
- Keep your dog’s ears clean and visit the vet regularly. If you have concerns about an ear infection or potential hearing loss, it is important to seek prompt medical attention and have it evaluated.
How Is Canine Deafness Treated?
Only temporary deafness can be reversed.
- If your dog has wax build-up in his ears, your veterinarian may have you clean his ears daily with a prescription wash.
- If the hearing loss is caused by a build-up of hair in his ears, a veterinarian can remove the hair.
- Infections that cause hearing loss should be treated with appropriate medication.
- Permanent hearing loss cannot be reversed, but your pet can still have a good quality of life. You should keep your dog safely leashed while outside and teach her hand signals so that you may communicate with her.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can deafness in dogs be cured?
Deafness in dogs is typically permanent and cannot be fully cured, but management strategies can improve their quality of life.
What causes a dog to go deaf?
Dog deafness can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired due to factors like genetics, aging, trauma, infections, or exposure to loud noises.
How do you fix a dog’s hearing loss?
Complete restoration of hearing is not usually possible. However, certain cases of acquired hearing loss may be treated if the underlying cause is addressed.
How do you know if a dog is deaf?
Signs of dog deafness include lack of response to sounds, failure to obey commands, increased startle response, and a reliance on visual cues.
When dogs go deaf, do they think everyone stopped talking to them?
Dogs may not understand the concept of deafness in the same way humans do, but they may become confused by the sudden lack of auditory stimulation.
My dog went deaf overnight.
Sudden-onset deafness in dogs can be alarming. It’s important to consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and explore management options.
Dog went deaf after ear drops.
Certain ear medications can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss in dogs. Seek veterinary assistance if you suspect medication-related deafness.
Dog hearing loss age.
Presbycusis, a type of hearing loss commonly observed in older dogs, is frequently encountered as dogs age. Regular check-ups and early intervention can help manage this condition.
Dog going deaf treatment.
Treatment options for dog hearing loss vary depending on the underlying cause and may include supportive care, training modifications, or hearing aids.
Dog deaf after ear medicine.
If your dog experiences hearing loss after using ear medication, consult a veterinarian immediately for further evaluation and guidance.
How to tell if your dog is deaf or ignoring you?
Professional evaluation is essential to determine if your dog is deaf or exhibiting selective hearing. A veterinarian can perform hearing tests.
Dogs lose hearing and eyesight.
Some dogs may experience both hearing and vision loss, which can significantly impact their daily lives. Consult a veterinarian for proper management and support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can deafness in dogs be cured?
Deafness in dogs is typically permanent and cannot be fully cured, but management strategies can improve their quality of life.
Dog deafness can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired due to factors like genetics, aging, trauma, infections, or exposure to loud noises.
How do you fix a dog’s hearing loss?
Complete restoration of hearing is not usually possible. However, certain cases of acquired hearing loss may be treated if the underlying cause is addressed.
How do you know if a dog is deaf?
Signs of dog deafness include lack of response to sounds, failure to obey commands, increased startle response, and a reliance on visual cues.
When dogs go deaf, do they think everyone stopped talking to them?
Dogs may not understand the concept of deafness in the same way humans do, but they may become confused by the sudden lack of auditory stimulation.
Sudden-onset deafness in dogs can be alarming. It’s important to consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and explore management options.
Dog went deaf after ear drops.
Certain ear medications can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss in dogs. Seek veterinary assistance if you suspect medication-related deafness.
Presbycusis, a type of hearing loss commonly observed in older dogs, is frequently encountered as dogs age. Regular check-ups and early intervention can help manage this condition.
Treatment options for dog hearing loss vary depending on the underlying cause and may include supportive care, training modifications, or hearing aids.
If your dog experiences hearing loss after using ear medication, consult a veterinarian immediately for further evaluation and guidance.
How to tell if your dog is deaf or ignoring you?
Professional evaluation is essential to determine if your dog is deaf or exhibiting selective hearing. A veterinarian can perform hearing tests.
Dogs lose hearing and eyesight.
Some dogs may experience both hearing and vision loss, which can significantly impact their daily lives. Consult a veterinarian for proper management and support.