Hearing loss is reported often by dog owners, especially as dogs age. Even older humans experience Age Related Hearing Loss (ARHL). Dr. Elizabeth Shull, DVM, DACVIM – Neurology, DACVB says that the most common cause is called Otosclerosis. Otosclerosis (literally “ear hardening”) is when the tiny components of the inner ear become less pliable. They become less able to transmit sound because the suppleness of the inner structures is critical to this function.
Dogs are even more likely to have suffered otitis (inflammation of the ear) in their life than humans. The inflammation associated with otitis can increase the chances of otosclerosis. Other things can impact hearing including ototoxicity (adverse effects to the ear from certain drugs) and exposure to loud noises.
Genetic causes of hearing loss, like the one seen in Dalmatians and other white coated dogs, will cause the dog to be deaf from birth, so if your dog was ever able to hear, he is not affected by this cause.
Dr. Shull says that sometimes clients report that their senior dogs have hearing loss, but when tested, she found that the hearing itself was intact. These cases may instead be related to Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (aging in the brain suspected to be analogous to Alzheimer’s disease in humans) instead of hearing loss, so it is really important that you find out. There are medications that can help with cognitive dysfunction.
If you think that your dog is not able to hear you anymore, ask your veterinarian to make sure that there is no infection or other concern present. Your vet may suggest seeing a veterinary neurologist like Dr. Shull to be sure of the cause. Both Canine Cognitive Dysfunction and Otosclerosis are common in senior pets and can occur separately or together. Each issue must be addressed to improve quality of life.
If you find out that your dog is suffering from age related hearing loss, there are things you can do to help.
– Teach her visual cues so that she can still respond to your wishes. Make sure she knows to watch you by rewarding her for doing so and then patiently teach her the cue and the correct response.
– Vibration (not shock) collars are designed to alert your dog the way sounds used to. Not being able to do the things enjoyed by both of you (like greetings) can impact your bond. The collars are remote controlled and you can train your dog that the vibration means you are home, so he can meet you at the door.
– When you are home, touch her gently to get and keep her attention. Make sure that she gets to be interested and interactive even without sound. Don’t feel silly talking to her just because you think that she cannot hear you. She will be calmed by your body language and your warmth. She does not need to hear to know that you love her, she can feel it.
Hearing loss is common in senior dogs, but there are things you can do to substitute for sound and help make sure that quality of life is preserved for you both. Love never grows old.
