What this means
Hearing can fade gradually, so owners do not notice at first. To begin with the dog just seems stubborn or distracted: does not come when called, does not react to noise behind them, jumps when touched because they did not notice anyone approach.
The causes differ. It may be a blocked or inflamed ear, where sound simply does not reach the inner ear, or the hearing itself may fade with age or from birth. Some puppies are born deaf in one or both ears. A vet will first examine the ear canals and then decide whether further tests are needed.
Note which sounds your dog still responds to (a clap, for example, which causes a puff of air or vibration) and which not, whether the change came suddenly or gradually, whether it affects both ears, and whether there is also discharge, smell, scratching or head shaking. Behaviour alone makes hearing hard to judge, so wait for the vet's examination before drawing conclusions.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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A blocked ear canal
Wax or debris can block the ear canal. Sounds reach the ear more faintly, and the dog may shake the head or scratch.
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Ear inflammation
An inflamed ear brings discharge, smell, redness and pain. Swelling and secretions muffle the sound.
About the condition: Ear infections -
Hearing fading with age
As dogs grow older hearing can gradually weaken. The dog responds less and less, while otherwise feeling normal.
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Deafness from birth
Some puppies are born deaf in one or both ears. It shows from a very young age, when the puppy does not respond to sounds.
About the condition: Deafness -
Noise injury or other health problems
Very loud noise, a head injury or some illnesses can also damage hearing. If gait or the eyes have changed too, tell the vet.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Which sounds your dog still responds to, and which not
- Whether hearing worsened suddenly or gradually
- Whether your dog is startled when touched or woken
- Whether either ear has discharge, smell or redness
- Whether your dog shakes the head, scratches the ears or holds the head tilted
- Whether behaviour, gait or the eyes have changed too
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your dog responds less and less to sound, if hearing worsened over days or weeks, if the ears have discharge or smell, or if behaviour is changing alongside. Say whether the dog always responded this way or whether it is a new change.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Deafness Ears and hearing Deafness is a partial or complete loss of hearing in one or both ears. It can be congenital and inherited, with a puppy born unable to hear, or develop later through ageing, long-lasting ear infections or injury. A deaf dog can live a full life, but it needs a different way of communicating, such as hand signals, and more care near roads.
- Ear infections Ears and hearing An ear infection is inflammation of the ear canal kept going by bacteria or yeast, which can be started by an allergy, a foreign body such as a grass seed, ear mites or trapped moisture. An inflamed ear itches and hurts, and long-lasting or repeated inflammation can change the ear canal for good. That is why it matters not only to calm the inflammation but also to find out what set it off.
Body systems: Ears and hearing