Mary Allen
Introduction: The sudden loss of a dog’s hearing
Dogs rely heavily on their sense of hearing to navigate the world around them. Therefore, when a dog suddenly loses its hearing, it can be a distressing experience for both the dog and its owner. Sudden deafness in dogs can occur for a variety of reasons, such as age-related hearing loss, genetic predisposition, infections, injuries to the ear or head, exposure to loud noises, side effects of medications, tumors and growths, autoimmune disorders, malformations and abnormalities of the ear, trauma to the ear canal or eardrum, and other possible causes.
Age-related hearing loss in dogs
Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is a common cause of deafness in dogs. As dogs age, their hearing ability naturally deteriorates. This process usually begins around the age of 7 or 8 years and progresses gradually over time. Older dogs may have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds or sounds in noisy environments. While age-related hearing loss cannot be reversed, there are ways to manage the condition and improve the quality of life for affected dogs.
Genetic predisposition to deafness in certain breeds
Certain dog breeds are genetically predisposed to deafness. For example, Dalmatians, Australian Cattle Dogs, and English Setters are known to have a higher risk of developing deafness. In some cases, deafness may be present at birth or develop shortly after. In other cases, deafness may occur later in life. Inherited deafness is usually caused by a mutation in a gene that affects the development or function of the inner ear. Breeders can screen for this mutation and avoid breeding dogs that carry it to reduce the incidence of deafness in their litters.