Hearing Loss In Dogs

Deaf Dog Awareness Month takes place in September. We are delighted to help bring this cause to light. According to the AKC website, 5-10% of our canine companions are deaf. There are a lot of puppies out there with gorgeous ears that don’t operate properly! Continue reading to learn more about deafness in dogs from a local Holly Springs, MS veterinarian.

What Are The Indicators Of A Dog’s Deafness?

Fido can’t tell you if his lovely ears aren’t doing well, but there are several signs to look for.

Missing Noises: Fido’s adorable ears are usually fairly sharp. The average dog can hear significantly better than we can. People, for example, cannot hear noises at frequencies greater than 20kHz. Fido, on the other hand, can hear sounds between 47k and 65k Hz. Dogs can also detect quieter noises than humans, particularly between 3k and 12k. Your canine companion can hear things at -15dB, which is significantly lower than what our hearing can pick up.

That being said, if your dog isn’t responding to noises the way he used to, there could be an issue. This may appear to improve or worse at times, but keep in mind that some noises generate vibrations as well. Your four-legged friend may still leap if something falls from a shelf, but the impact vibration, not the sound, may shock him. When you activate your dog’s squeaky toy, he may not respond. Of course, if your dog ignores the sound of a cheese wrapper opening, this is a clear red flag!

Changes In Sleeping Patterns: Dogs, like people, tend to sleep more when they are depressed or simply not feeling well. Ear problems can result in both.

Ignoring Vocal Commands: If Fido has previously obeyed spoken orders but now ignores you when you tell him to Sit, Stay, or Lay Down, he may not be able to hear you.

Grumpiness: Most all pooches that cannot hear or see well absolutely hate being startled. If you approach Fido from behind, he may become agitated. He may appear shocked, turn, or snap. He may also be confused and upset over the change in sensory input.

Increased Barking: You may find that your pet is barking more than usual. Fido may also increase his volume slightly if he is having difficulty hearing himself.

Shaking/Tilting Head: Ear infections can be quite painful. While they are not the main cause of hearing loss, they are certainly a potential. You may find your pet’s ears feel hot. Fido might also paw at his ears or rub his head against anything, including you. You may notice a foul odor and/or discharge that appears green, red, yellow, brown, or black. These can all be indicators of infection. Your furry pal also may not want to have his ears or head touched.

What Should I Do If I Suspect My Dog Might Be Deaf?

If you know or believe that Fido is losing or perhaps has already lost his hearing, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have Fido tested. Meanwhile, you can test him a bit at home. Simply wait until he wakes up and then stand behind him, or somewhere he can’t see you. Set off a noise-making device, such as a squeaky toy, an alarm, or something similar, and see how—or even if—he responds.

This is, of course, a rough test. Additional tests, such as Baer testing, would be required for an official diagnosis from your Holly Springs, MS veterinarian.

Is Deafness A Permanent Condition?

That will depend on the puppy and the cause of the hearing impairment. In some circumstances, wax buildup might cause temporary hearing loss. However, the problem is usually permanent.

What Causes Deafness in Dogs?

A variety of factors can contribute to deafness. The illness is typically inherited, which means it was triggered by something in Fido’s genetic composition. Cochleosaccular deafness is one of the most prevalent causes of hereditary hearing loss. This form of deafness is more common in puppies with piebald, merle, or white coats and/or blue eyes. Then there’s neuroepithelial deafness, which results from a loss (or absence) of cochlear hair cells. As the name implies, these are ear hairs. This type of deafness is typically detected in puppies at a young age.

Age, of course, is an issue. Puppies frequently lose their hearing as they get older.

Other common causes of dog deafness include the following:

• Infections
• Injuries
• Tumors
• Brain lesions
• Medications
• Endocrine diseases

Taking Care Of A Deaf Dog

What happens if your dog is deaf? Fortunately, there is some good news here. Caring for a deaf dog is very similar to caring for any other puppy. Pets are remarkably resilient, and often adjust quite fast to changes such as the loss of hearing. You’ll just need to make a few changes to Fido’s care routine.

Here are our suggestions:

Training: Our canine companions are quite intelligent. Many pups can learn to obey hand gestures rather than voice directions. You may need to hire a professional trainer, but it will be well worth the investment in the long term. You might also want to train Fido to come when you wave a flashlight or move a laser pointer.

Safety: your canine friend won’t be able to hear things like squealing brakes or car horns. You’ll have to take some extra safety precautions. If you have a yard, make sure your fence is sturdy, and that your pooch can’t go over, under, or through it. We also suggest getting a self-latching gate.

Also, be super careful when walking your dog. You might want to utilize a double leash on Fido’s harness for extra security.

Take Care Not To Startle Your Dog: As already said, many deaf dogs despise being sneaked up on. Before approaching your four-legged friend, stamp your foot to let him know you are there. Need to wake your pet up? Try putting a treat under his nose. Fido loves breakfast in bed!

This is also something to instill in children and guests. If you have visitors coming over, let them know in advance that your furry companion can’t hear and that they shouldn’t startle him or approach slowly.

Keep Track Of Your Pup: Consider putting a little bell on your dog’s collar. This will allow you to keep track of his whereabouts because he will not hear you calling him. A light-up collar is also a useful accessory at night. GPS tags aren’t a bad idea, either. Just look at the various options before purchasing them.

Your veterinarian will be able to provide additional information and recommendations on how to care for your canine companion.

Conclusion: Hearing loss is not uncommon in our canine pals. However, dogs are very resilient, and tend to adapt very quickly to the loss of hearing. In fact, caring for Fido may not be very different from taking care of any other pooch. You’ll just need to make a few tweaks. 

Make An Appointment At Our Holly Springs, MS Animal Clinic

Have you got any questions about hearing loss in dogs? Do you know or think that your canine companion has ear issues? You are welcome to contact us at any time. As your Holly Springs, MS pet hospital, we are here to assist!