Is My Dog Going Deaf?
| Print | By | May 1, 2009 2:53 PM

Is My Dog Going Deaf?

Q: My dog is 13 years old and I think she's going deaf. She doesn't seem to hear me anymore when I call her from across the house. How can I tell if she is losing her hearing?

A: There is no specific test to tell if your dog can hear or not. Hearing loss is something that is completely subjective. If it seems like she is losing her hearing then she most likely is. Many senior dogs do lose their ability to hear. Hearing loss in dogs can range from moderate to severe.

With moderate hearing loss they can still hear loud noises or hear you when you are close. Severe hearing loss disables them from hearing at all. If your dog is losing her hearing but still has good vision, begin to teach her hand signals. That way you will be able to communicate with her if she loses her hearing completely.

Comments (2)

Gay Davis March 23, 2009 6:02 PM

My dog is 4 years old, and I just put some puzzle pieces together and realized he could have some hearing issues. How do I work with him.

Princess May 24, 2009 10:12 AM

I rescued a deaf dog from an Animal Shelter. You need to work with the dog, using hand signals, as well as treats. Most definitely have a fenced in yard to keep the dog from wondering away. Remember, they can't hear cars or people trying to get them to leave the premises. Check with your vet and make sure there isn't an ear issue (infection, etc.) that is causing the hearing loss.

add your comment

Advertisement

Petside: Get Started

Advertisement

Specials

Check out these deals picked by petside.com just for you!

Newsletter & Deals

Register now for Newsletters and Personal Tools.

Your Name: Your Email:

Your privacy is important to us.
Click here for the full policy.