Deafness or reduced hearing is quite common in older cats and dogs – our senior companions just need a bit of extra love and care. But what if a dog or cat is born deaf? Can they still have a good quality of life? Here’s some information on how you can help deaf dogs and cats cope with their lack of hearing.

What Causes Deafness?

Both dogs and cats alike can experience a loss in hearing as they age. The deafness may be partial, in one ear only or affect both ears. Hearing loss may be such a gradual process that owners may not be aware that their dog or cat is deaf.

Deafness in dogs can have a variety of other causes, including chronic ear infections, ototoxic substances (drugs or chemicals that damage the sensory hair cells in the ear), trauma (physical or acoustic), foetal damage, malformation, or growths in the ear. Anything that damages the conduction of sound waves from the ear hole through the ear canal and ear drum to the bones of the middle ear can lead to deafness. If the conduction of impulses through the nerves to the brain is affected, this can also result in loss of hearing.

Some dogs have congenital deafness. This means they’re born deaf as they’ve inherited a gene for deafness from their parents. This inherited deafness can affect Dalmatians, Collies, Great Danes, English Setters, and Pointers. The gene is associated with merle or white coat colours and blue eyes.

Are white cats deaf? Cats with white coats and blue eyes may be born deaf having inherited the gene for deafness. However, not all white cats or white cats with blue eyes are deaf, so all white kittens should have their hearing tested. Those that are found to be deaf should not be allowed to breed.

How Will I Know if My Dog or Cat Is Deaf?

If your dog or cat is deaf in only one ear, it can be tricky to detect. Owners may only notice if they’re lying down with their good ear underneath, and they don’t respond to noises. However, dogs and cats with loss of hearing on one ear tend to always sleep with their good ear pointing upwards so they can hear and respond to any noise.

Spotting signs of deafness in both ears is easier – your dog or cat won’t respond to their name being called, doors being opened and may sleep through loud noises without being disturbed. Older dogs may no longer be alarmed by the sound of the vacuum cleaner, thunder, or fireworks.

Kittens that are deaf may not wake up for mealtimes unless touched and won’t startle easily at loud sounds. They (like deaf puppies) may also engage in aggressive play as they don’t hear the yelps from their playmates. Deafness in cats may also be suspected if they shake their head or claw at their ears.

Deafness Testing in Dogs and Cats

Is my cat deaf or is my dog deaf are common questions vets are asked. Your vet will check how your pet responds to noise and if their ears or head turn towards the noise. But this cat and dog deafness test doesn't distinguish whether your dog or cat is deaf in only one ear and your pet may anticipate the noise and react to visual cues rather than hearing the actual noise.

Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing is a reliable test carried out at specialist centres that can accurately diagnose deafness in cats and dogs. BAER testing involves playing noises into each ear in turn and then detecting the nervous impulses invoked by these noises in the brain.

Caring for a Deaf Dog

Dogs use both ears to accurately pinpoint sounds. If deaf in one ear, they may hear you calling their name when out for a walk but will take longer to locate your position. You may notice them looking around before they see you and return to you.

Generally, if a dog is deaf in one ear, they don’t need any special treatment and teaching your dog how to behave will be the same as training hearing dogs. However, deaf dogs won’t hear traffic and should only be allowed off the lead in safe, enclosed areas.

Dogs that are deaf in both ears can adapt well but may need a more tactile approach. As totally deaf dogs are unable to hear praise from their owners, visual cues and touch become more important. They may want more physical contact with their owners to reassure them that their owner is nearby. Dogs are also very good at picking up body language, and facial expressions, so they'll usually understand if you’re annoyed or pleased with them!

Not sure how to train a deaf dog? Teach them dog hand signals - doggy sign language! Signals such as stop, sit and come should be clear and easy to see from a distance. Further information on hand signals for deaf dogs can be found online.

Deaf dog behaviour problems may be seen more often in deaf puppies and deaf dog training may need a bit more time and patience. But if you keep calm and positive, teaching hand signals and training a deaf dog can be very successful.

Caring for a Deaf Cat

Hearing problems is common in older cats, but living with a deaf cat can be rewarding, so can adopting a deaf cat.

Cats with normal hearing use sound to detect prey so deaf cats may not be the most successful hunters. But spending time with your deaf cat playing with laser pointers and other ‘chase’ games, allows them to use their natural hunting instincts and will strengthen the bond between you. You can also teach your cat some visual signals and use vibration as part of their training as they’re sensitive to sound vibrations.

Deaf cat behavioural problems can be an issue, and deaf cats may get into fights more often. But they’ll still be able to communicate with other cats using body language and scent marking. Sadly, they may be shunned by hearing cats and deaf kittens are more likely to be rejected by their mothers.

Deaf cats won’t be able hear traffic so keep them as indoor cats to keep them safe. Only allow them outside if they’re supervised or have an enclosed catio to roam around in.

Older dogs and cats can still have a good quality of life if they lose their hearing. But whether deaf dogs are born deaf or have acquired hearing problems, with a little more care and teaching them hand signals, they can lead happy and fulfilled lives.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/canis AND Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis  

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