September is Deaf Dog Awareness Month. This is of course important all year long, and is definitely a cause that we are always happy to help shine a light on. According to information on the AKC website, between five and ten percent of our canine companions are deaf. That’s a lot of pups out there whose cute ears don’t work right! Read on as a local London, ON vet offers some insight on deafness in dogs.

What Are The Signs Of A Dog Being Deaf?

Fido can’t tell you if his adorable ears aren’t doing so well, but there are definitely some clues to look for.

Ignoring Commands: If Fido has previously been very good about obeying verbal commands, but suddenly ignores you when you tell him to Sit, Stay, or Lay Down, it could be because he can’t hear you.

Being Jumpy/Cranky: One pet peeve that is shared among nearly all vision and hearing-impaired pups is a dislike for being startled. Fido may get grumpy if you sneak up on him from behind. He may seem really startled, or may turn or even snap.

Increased Barking: Another thing you may notice would be your pet barking more than he used to. Fido may also turn up his volume a bit, as he may be having a hard time hearing himself.

Missing Noises: Fido’s cute ears are normally quite astute. The average dog can hear quite a bit better than we can. For example, people can’t hear noises that are over 20k Hz. Fido, on the other paw, can hear noises that are between 47k and 65k Hz. Dogs can also pick up quieter noises than what we can hear at sounds between 3k and 12k. Your canine buddy could hear things that are -15dB, which is much softer than what our ears would pick up.  

That all said, if your pooch isn’t responding to noises like he used to, there may be something going on. This may seem to get better and worse sometimes, but keep in mind that some noises also cause vibrations. Your pup may still jump if something falls off a shelf, but it may be the impact vibration rather than the sound that startles him. Your furry pal may not respond when you set off his squeaky toy. Of course, if your pooch ignores the sound of a cheese wrapper opening, it’s a definite red flag! 

Increased Sleep: Just like people, dogs often sleep more if they are depressed or just not feeling well. Ear trouble can cause both.

Shaking/Tilting Head: You may also notice your pooch shaking his head, or perhaps tilting it.

Ear Infections: While infections aren’t the only cause of hearing loss, they are definitely one possibility. You may notice that your pet’s ears feel hot. He may also paw at his ears or rub his head against things, including you. Foul odor can also be a sign of infection, as can discharge that looks green, red, yellow, brown, or even black. If your pet has an infection, he may also not want his ears or head touched. 

Contact your London, ON vet right away if you notice any of these issues.

What Do I Do If I Think My Dog May Be Deaf? 

If you know or suspect that your pooch has lost his hearing, you’ll want to make an appointment with your vet to get Fido tested. In the meantime, you can test him a bit at home. Just wait until he is awake, and stand behind him. Set off something that will make a noise, whether it’s a squeaky toy, an alarm, or something similar. 

This is of course a very rough test. For official diagnosis, your vet would need to run further tests, such as Baer testing.

Is Deafness Permanent?

That is going to depend on the pup and the cause of the hearing loss. In some cases, things like wax buildup can cause temporary deafness. However, most often than not, the condition is permanent.

What Causes Deafness In Dogs?

Deafness can be caused by many different issues. Most of the time, the condition is hereditary, meaning that it has been caused by something in Fido’s genetic makeup. One common cause of hereditary deafness is cochleosaccular deafness. This type of deafness is particularly prevalent in pups that have piebald, merle, or white coats and/or blue eyes. Then there is Neuroepithelial deafness, which is caused by a loss (or lack) of cochlear hair cells. As the name suggests, these are hairs that grow in the ears. This type of deafness is usually noticeable pretty early on in puppies.

Age, of course, is another factor. It isn’t uncommon for pups to lose their hearing as they grow older.

Other common causes of canine deafness include the following:

• Infections
• Injuries
• Drugs
• Tumors
• Brain lesions
• Endocrine disorders

Caring For A Deaf Dog

What if your pooch is deaf? In some cases, such as infections, there may be treatments available. However, for most pooches, it’s a one-way road. There is some good news here, though. In many ways, caring for a deaf dog is pretty much like caring for any other pup. You will just want to make a few adjustments to Fido’s care regimen. 

Here are our suggestions: 

Training: Our canine companions are very smart, and can learn to respond to hand signals, rather than vocal commands. You may need to enlist a professional trainer, of course, but it will be well worth it in the long run. You may also want to train Fido to come when you wave a flashlight. 

Safety: Since your pooch won’t be able to hear things like car horns, you’ll need to be extra careful with him. If you have a yard, make sure that your fencing is sturdy. A self-latching gate is your best bet as far as that goes. 

You’ll also need to be very careful when walking your canine pal. For extra security, you may want to use a double leash on Fido’s harness.

Communicating To Others: As mentioned above, many deaf dogs hate being snuck up on. Stamp your foot before approaching your pooch, so he knows you’re there. If you need to wake Fido up, try putting a treat under his nose. Everyone loves breakfast in bed! 

This is also important to instill in children and guests. If you have people coming over, let them know in advance that your furry pal can’t hear, and let them know not to startle him or approach quietly 

Trappings: You may want to put a little bell on your dog’s collar. This will help you keep track of his whereabouts, as he won’t hear you calling him. At night, a light-up collar isn’t a bad thing to have, either. 

Your London, ON vet will be able to offer more advice and tips on caring for your canine pal. 

Make An London, ON Appointment At Our Animal Clinic 

Do you have questions about hearing loss in dogs? Do you know or suspect that your canine pal has issues with his ears? Please feel free to contact us anytime. As your London, ON pet hospital, we are here to help!