Deafness can occur in dogs at any age.

When your dog no longer reacts to everyday events, such as the doorbell ringing or the sound of you pouring him food at breakfast or calling him to come back to you, it is a sign that he has lost interest in the world around him.

Deafness is often hard to accept in your dog. The good news is that he can still lead a full life, and perform all the things that other dogs are able to, or perhaps the tasks he enjoys. You will need to change your approach, as you are now aware of his hearing impairment.

Estimates suggest that 5-10% of dogs in the United States are deaf, either unilaterally or bilaterally.

What causes this problem?

Deafness can be inherited or acquired. Hereditary deafness is often cochleosaccular in origin or neuroepithelial. Cochleosaccular deafness is the most common cause of hearing loss and it is closely related to coat patterns. It’s most common in dogs that have the piebald or merle gene. Deafness can occur in one or both of the ears. It is more common in dogs with white fur and blue eyes. This type of deafness is often first noticed between the ages of 1 and 3 weeks.

The coat pattern has no relation to neuroepithelial hearing loss. It usually affects both ears at the same time and always occurs in the same age group. Multiple factors can cause acquired deafness. Some medications can be toxic to the ear. The deafness that these drugs cause is usually permanent. However, some animals can regain their hearing with time. Many older animals develop deafness. The loss of hearing usually starts as a lack of ability to hear mid-level or high-level frequency and then progresses to the inability to hear any frequency.

How to tell if your dog has a hearing problem

Dogs that have been bilaterally deaf since a young age can be easily recognized. They may not respond when you call them, be difficult to wake up when they are sleeping, or refuse to acknowledge your presence when you get home.

It can be difficult to diagnose dogs who are unilaterally deaf or those that become deaf in later life.

Dogs who are deaf only in one ear can have trouble locating the source of a sound and will often point towards their great ear.

What to do if your dog is Deaf?

Deaf dogs are able to live normal lives, but they need a dedicated owner. Families with small children should avoid deaf dogs as they are easily startled. They should never be let off the leash in an open area and their owners need to be willing to learn a new language.