Senior Dog Comfort & Care

Dogs have better hearing than we do, especially when it comes to high frequencies. They have 18 muscles in their ears (we have 6), which helps them pinpoint sounds, too. As dogs age, nerve degeneration in their ears causes gradual hearing loss. Unfortunately, this process can’t be stopped or prevented, but other causes like loud noise and ear infections can.

Your dog’s delicate middle and inner ear can be damaged by loud noises, especially with repeated exposure. The damage can even continue after the exposure has stopped, as cells continue to die (hunting dogs are very susceptible). Chronic or untreated ear infections can also cause hearing loss.

Some less obvious signs of hearing loss include startling more easily, not noticing when you enter the room, and not waking until touched. It can be easy to miss because hearing loss is so gradual. You can help your hard-of-hearing dog by walking heavily so they can “feel” you approach, turning lights on and off when entering or leaving a room, and staying in their line of sight as you leave so they know you’re gone.

You can teach hand signals before or after your dog loses their hearing. Check out Tip #80 to learn more.