Dog suffers hearing loss
QMy family is concerned about our 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel. About two months ago, she started having trouble going up and down the stairs. She doesn’t respond to our calls and seems startled when we come up behind her. Our vet checked her ears and saw no sign of infection. She gave us some anti-inflammatory medication, and the dog is handling stairs better, but her hearing is not. She is overweight, but I was told that isn’t an issue. Can we get her hearing tested? Why would a dog go deaf ?
AThere is a hearing test for dogs called the BAER test. It’s not as if one can place headphones on a dog and say, “Raise your paw if you hear a sound,” but it is fairly reliable. First, one has to eliminate the more obvious causes of impaired hearing by doing a good examination to be sure there is no sign of infection, masses or wax in the ear canals. Inner ear issues can also be the cause. I also suggest running a full blood panel to check all parameters since low thyroid levels also have been implicated and might explain the dog’s weight. Various medications and toxins can also lead to hearing loss. Sometimes dogs also will exhibit selective hearing, but that possibility can be eliminated through simple observation.
The BAER test (brainstem auditory evoked response) is not invasive and relatively simple but not typically available in general practices. Speak with your veterinarian about finding a local veterinary neurologist or specialty hospital that might have the equipment for this testing.
While genetics might also be a cause, your dog’s breed is not one of those typically affected with hereditary deafness. The good news is that if there are no treatable medical issues, a deaf dog can lead a pretty normal existence and lifespan.