What causes hearing loss in Dogs?
There are two basic forms of hearing loss in dogs: Acquired and Inherited.
Dogs who have acquired deafness are born with genes capable of developing and maintaining normal hearing, but as the dog ages it begins to lose its ability to hear. Acquired deafness is not restricted to any single breed, but can affect all breeds of dogs.
It may surprise you to know that the most common cause of acquired deafness in dogs is the result of untreated Otitis externa, also called “Swimmer’s ear”. This is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. It is one of the two human conditions commonly called “earache”. Inflammation of the skin of the ear canal is the major cause of this disorder. The inflammation can be secondary to dermatitis (eczema) only, with no microbial infection, or it can be caused by an active bacterial or fungal infection. In either case, but more often with infection, the ear canal skin swells and may become painful and tender to the touch.
Mild ear infections left untreated always have the potential to cause hearing impairment.
Regardless of the underlying cause, most dogs with acquired deafness are not totally deaf, but rather have varying degrees of hearing impairment. They do not all become deaf to the same degree. Some dogs have only partial hearing loss which may not even be noticeable to its owner. Others may have severe hearing loss. No matter the degree of hearing loss, they can be prone to injuries, since they cannot hear commands from their owner or hear any vehicles approaching them.
Unfortunately there is no treatment for acquired deafness. However, most dogs will learn to cope very well with a hearing disability. Some dogs can be taught hand signals to indicate commands they were used to hearing.
Inherited deafness occurs in several dog breeds. Dalmatians are the most common breed affected by inherited deafness, but Shetland Sheepdogs, English Setters, Border Collies, and Australian Shepherds are also susceptible to inherited deafness. For these dogs, their deafness is often linked to the color of their coats, with white, merle, or piebald coat colors affected the most.
Most affected dogs are born with some hearing capabilities, but their deafness becomes apparent a few months after birth and is due to degeneration of the nerves within the ear. Dogs with inherited deafness don’t always become deaf to the same degree. Some dogs suffer only a partial hearing loss which may not even be noticeable to its owner. Other dogs will have severe hearing losses, and as a result, can be more prone to injuries, since they may not hear commands or objects coming towards them the same as a dog with acquired deafness.
As in acquired deafness, there is no treatment for inherited deafness. Fortunately, most dogs can learn to cope very well with their hearing disability.
In both forms of deafness, it is important that your dog’s ears be kept clean of foreign irritants and wax buildup which can exacerbate hearing problems. A great product for this is Ear Wash, a patent pending, all-natural, proprietary blend of citrus oils with deionized water. It helps clear the ear canal of debris and reduces wax buildup without alcohol, harsh chemicals or irritants that are common in other leading brands. It’s easy to apply and won’t drive your dog crazy when you apply it to its ears.
Your dog’s hearing is one of its most highly developed senses and is necessary to its health and safety. A hearing loss in a dog may seem tragic, but it is possible for any dog to overcome the loss of its hearing.
