uppies can be born deaf and young dogs can develop hearing problems due to injury, illness, ear canal blockage, poisoning and exposure to loud noises, but most dogs lose their hearing very gradually. An older dog that fails to pay attention to verbal commands when once it was obedient, or one that seems to be startled or frightened when awakened is probably losing its sense of hearing. By the time any deficit is noticed by humans, pets usually have had time to adjust to progressive physical changes in their bodies and to adjust their behavior accordingly.

Partial or total hearing loss is common in geriatric dogs. It is often related to long term, irreversible changes in the inner ear. Hearing loss in both ears is known as bilateral deafness and a dog with at least partial hearing in one ear is considered unilaterally deaf.  Most veterinarians and dog owners rely on behavioral cues and simple noise tests to determine the extent of hearing loss.

A dog that has lost its hearing will inevitably rely on other senses to function. Always let your dog know when you are nearby.  It is usually difficult to arouse deaf animals from sleep since they only respond to touch, smell, sight or vibration. If your dog is asleep on the floor, approach her from the front and gently touch her in the shoulder area (preferably in the same place) or put your hand in front of her nose and let her smell you.  Give her lots of praise and/or a treat each time you must wake her. Even the mildest of dogs can bite out of fear when they are startled from a deep sleep. Advise visitors, especially children, about this important safety precaution.

Your dog can easily learn simple hand signals from you.  To get your dog’s attention, thump on the floor with your foot or fist.  Speak the command (sit, down, come) with the addition of a hand gesture.  Hand signals are very effective ways of communicating with a deaf dog. Use standard obedience signs and/or American Sign Language.  Your dog will watch your face as well as your body language and you will have more expression if you are speaking the command. Reward her with food and lots of praise. Training sessions should be short and sweet.  They should last no longer than ten minutes and always be followed by something fun. Training a deaf dog is just like training a hearing dog except that you sign as well as speak the command.       

A fenced in yard and a leash is critical for your dog at this time in her life. Deaf dogs cannot hear approaching traffic or other dangers. Since your dog is elderly consider that her eyesight may be failing her as well. Remember that older pets frequently suffer from arthritis and may be less able or willing to respond to commands.  If you take her to a strange place for a visit or stay, keep her leashed by your side until she feels familiar with the surroundings. Your dog’s identification tag should identify the fact that she is deaf along with your phone number and any other information you may want to provide.

At night you can flash the porch light for her to come in from outside. A flashlight can also be used to get your dog’s attention. Food is an excellent motivator and you may be able to guide or distract her by enticing her with a piece of freeze-dried liver or cheese. While your dog may have trouble hearing your voice, sharp sounds like bells or whistles or even a clap of your hands may be more distinguishable for her.

As the senses start to fail, pets may become frightened by the gradual loss of sensory contact with their human companions.  As a result, you need to reinforce the care and attention you are offering to your dog.  Be patient and loving with your geriatric canine companion and she will do the rest.  Your dog’s hearing loss may present additional challenges to you but your efforts in helping her adjust will certainly be worthwhile.