Is Your Dog Losing Its Hearing?

Thousands of dogs are completely or partially deaf in the U.S. and the rates of deafness depend on the dog breed. Some breeds that have been known to be genetically predisposed to hearing deficits are Dalmatians, German Shepherds, and Boston Terriers. Similar to humans, dogs tend to gradually lose their hearing either completely or partially as they get older. When dogs are born it can be fairly easy to tell if a dog is deaf, but it is much more difficult to tell if they are losing their hearing at a later stage in life. 

Here are 5 signs that your dog may be losing its hearing:

Not Answering to Their Name

The most common sign that your dog may be losing their hearing is an inability to hear and respond to commands. One of the first sounds that are related to deafness is an inability to hear high-pitched sounds. If your furry friend has always responded to a whistle command and suddenly stopped doing so, this could be a sign of hearing loss. To test your dog’s hearing abilities, try making clapping, clicking whistling, etc. sounds while their back is turned. If they don’t respond to your variety of sounds, they could be losing their hearing. 

Sudden Disobedience

It can be relatively easy for pet parents to confuse behavioral issues with deafness. Since deafness commonly occurs with senior dogs, it can be more difficult to determine whether your dog is experiencing listening issues or if they are losing their hearing. Do some at-home tests to determine whether or not your dog is truly experiencing the signs of hearing loss. Age-related hearing problems require more visual cues and hand signals.  

Gets Startled Easily 

Just like humans, dogs’ other senses will become heightened as a result of sensory loss. When this occurs, dogs can become more easily frightened by unexpected touching, footsteps, and even a gust of wind. If your dog gets startled more easily than it used to, this could be a sign that they are losing their hearing.  

Excessive Barking

Like all animals, dogs regulate their voice using their sense of hearing. A dog with auditory issues won’t be able to tell how loud they are being. Since a deaf dog can’t hear when you speak, oftentimes, they assume that you can’t hear them. Excessive barking can be one method that your dog uses to navigate their newfound auditory loss.

Increased Sleep or Behavior Apathy

A natural response to hearing loss is withdrawal. This means that your dog may be sleeping for more hours throughout the day and becomes less social. These behaviors might make you question whether your dog is experiencing signs of sadness or depression, but it could be your dog’s way of coping with their hearing loss. This shift can also be associated with old age. It’s important to talk to your vet and find the best ways to support your dog while they are adjusting to their hearing loss.