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Deafness can be the result of illness, a neurological abnormality or a defect or abnormality in the physical makeup of the cat’s ear. If the cat is aging, its hearing loss may be actually a combination of nerve damage and the gradual fusing together of the tiny bones in the cat’s inner ear. The cat may lose hearing in only one ear or in both, depending upon the causes of the loss. White-haired cats with two blue eyes are much more likely to be deaf than cats with other fur and eye colors.
The cat who is experiencing hearing loss literally cannot hear sounds in its environment. Normally, cats have highly acute hearing and can detect sounds that the ordinary human ear isn’t capable of picking up.
Hearing Loss Average Cost
From 300 quotes ranging from $100 - $500
Average Cost
$250
Hearing loss in a cat may be gradual, making it difficult for its owner to detect symptoms of the growing deafness. Once the cat’s owner can detect the signs that something is wrong with the cat, they may notice the following:
Symptoms of hearing loss from illness:
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The causes of deafness in cats vary widely:
Medical
Genetic
Environmental
Age
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The vet discusses the cat’s symptoms of apparent hearing loss with the owner, then performs a full physical. The vet will test the cat’s responses to sound, noticing whether the cat turns or lifts its head.
The cat undergoes a complete otic exam (exam of the ears) and a full neurological workup. As the vet is on this part of the exam, they will look for any foreign bodies lodged in the cat’s ear, wax accumulation, inflammation, or signs of infection.
Depending on how the cat responds to other tests, the vet may decide to carry out other diagnostic testing.
If the cat is older and the vet suspects an age-related hearing loss, they will conduct the BAER test. This is the brainstem auditory evoked response test, which detects electrical activity in the cat’s cochlea and its auditory pathways. Small foam earphones are put into the cat’s ears and electrodes are placed between its shoulders, under the the fur on its scalp, one at the top of the head and the last two are placed in front of each ear. The cat’s ears are tested individually and the entire test takes up to fifteen minutes.
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The treatment method used will depend on the cause of the cat’s hearing loss. If the cat has an ear infection, antibiotic treatment may help the cat to recover its hearing. If the cat has an over-accumulation of wax in its ears, this can be carefully and gently removed from the cat’s ears, although the cat may need to be sedated for this procedure.
If a tumor or growth is obstructing the cat’s ear, removing this tumor surgically may help the cat regain some of its lost hearing.
If the cause of the cat’s deafness is the result of damage to the inner ear (sensorineural), this cannot be treated or reversed. The cat can be fitted for hearing aids, but it may not tolerate having a foreign object placed into its ears.
Genetic and age-related hearing loss cannot be reversed. Instead, the cat will need to learn to cope with its hearing loss.
Any medications the cat took that may have contributed to its hearing loss will need to be discontinued and replaced with another medication.
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A cat that has lost its hearing can still have a happy, fulfilling life. The cat may need to be limited to staying indoors, and its owners should make sure the cat sees them as they are approaching.
Cats can learn hand signals and how to translate vibration signals as well. If possible, remove carpeting from the house so vibrations can travel along the hard floors to the cat. A tiny bell can be slipped onto the cat’s collar so its owners can easily locate it. A tag that says, “I am deaf” can also be added to the cat’s collar so that, if it gets outside the house, anyone who finds it can adjust how they communicate with the cat.
Signaling the cat silently with a light can be used to communicate that it is time for a meal. Because they are such sensual creatures, cats love gentle touch. Use touch to communicate to the cat and reinforce new signals.
Sleeping cats should be gently awoken with a soft touch. The cat can also compensate by “hearing” its owner’s voice through touch. If the owner places their hand on the cat’s back, the cat will feel the vibrations of the owner’s voice.
Female cats suffering from genetic deafness should be spayed. They should not be allowed to become pregnant and pass the genetic condition onto their kittens, which they won’t be able to hear. Also, because the deaf cat can’t hear itself meow, she will be more easily heard by tom cats wanting to mate.
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Hearing Loss Average Cost
From 300 quotes ranging from $100 - $500
Average Cost
$250
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Ask a Vet
I don’t know
A couple weeks
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
He lost his ear while he was in the wheel of a car and I don’t know if it will heal or he will be okay. He seems fine.
Sept. 25, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 21, 2020
Was this experience helpful?
Missy
tabby
3 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
3 year old tabby who was feral. Now indoor/outdoor. She is deaf and has a startle reflex. About a week ago she started acting like she couldn't see in front of her. She sits and stares under the dishwasher.she has gone missing and has been gone 29 hours. She has never done this. Could D she have a tummor causing sosomndness? She also won't sleep on my bed on her blanket. Help??
Aug. 12, 2018
Missy's Owner
0 Recommendations
If Missy is deaf and having issues with vision, she should be made an inside only cat as being deaf she wouldn’t have full sensory awareness of her surroundings and would be more at risk of attack from dogs or wild animals. There is nothing specific I can say without examining her and would recommend that you take her into your Veterinarian for an examination once she is found. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 12, 2018
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Dolly
mixed
7 Weeks
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Hi, the other day my cat hit her head on the front door as I was closing it. I didnt see her until after it happened. She was hurt for a couple of days but was fine after she slept it off. Then this morning she started meowing very loud and didnt hear me calling her. I just clapped while she was napping but no response at all. Can this be fixed? I will do anything to repair this! So worried.
June 5, 2018
Dolly's Owner
0 Recommendations
Head trauma may present in different ways including delayed onset of some symptoms which is why it is always important to visit your Veterinarian for an examination immediately; without examining Dolly I cannot determine the severity of the head trauma or whether or not treatment may or may not be effective. You should visit your Veterinarian for a thorough examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 6, 2018
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Buddy
Shorthair
17 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My cat had mites at one point when we were living in Costa Rica. Drops were given, and I assumed he was ok. He then started having itchy ears, and now I think he is deaf, but I don't know if it was from the mites (he never had a smell or discharge) and I didn't treat him long enough or if it is age related (he's about 17). If I give him drops for mites at this stage, can they reverse deafness if that was the cause?
April 29, 2018
Buddy's Owner
0 Recommendations
It is difficult to say whether the deafness is related to mites or not, if there were mites you would notice clear symptoms other than deafness of their presence. In a cat Buddy’s age, there are many different causes of deafness which may include age related issues; whilst giving treatment for ear mites wouldn’t necessarily cause any harm I doubt it would restore hearing. You should visit a Veterinarian for an examination to see if they are able to determine a cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 29, 2018
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Carrie
domestic short hair
14 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
I've noticed that my cat has become very deaf. Before this happened she was diagnosed with a thyroid problem and a heart problem. I've been given her Methimazole about 100 mg twice a day. Because she won't take a pill it is in a cream form and it put in the inside of the ear (not on the fur but hopefully on the skin). But now I've notice she barely hears me and I have to almost yell at her to get her to notice me only a few inches away. Does the meds cause this or the thyroid condition?
March 6, 2018
Carrie's Owner
0 Recommendations
There are a few causes of hearing loss in cats especially as they age, I have no specific information from a reputable source regarding hearing loss after the use of methimazole transdermal gel, however there are some report online about it. You should visit your Veterinarian for an examination to determine whether the cause is due to the gel or another cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 6, 2018
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Enzo
Turkish Angora
9 Months
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
Hello guys, My kitten in just 9 Months old and he is having hearing loss because of ear mites I think... When he was born he had a bad eye infection (He is an inbreeded kitten, His and His mother's father is same) Please tell me if his ear mites are treated he will be able to listen again clearly? (sorry for my English)
Phoebe
Shorthair
15 Years
Moderate severity
1 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My cat has been scratching her ears a lot for the last few weeks. I looked inside and they were all black inside. I took her to the vets who said she had a bar yeast ear infection. The vet syringed and cleaned them out. Lots of black gunk came out of both. After the procedure she seemed fine she came home and had her prescribed ear drops. This morning she was not herself. Very unbalanced and loss of hearing. I took her back to the vet who gave her a an anti Sickness shot for the loss of balance, a steroid shot for her inflamed ears and cleaned them again (more stuff came out of her ears). She’s still not responding to sound I’m so worried her hearing has been lost during the cleaning procedure or from the drops. Please can you advise?
Atlanta
Gray Russian
21 Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
My cat Atlanta is 21yrs old..I noticed about 2yrs ago that she couldn't hear when I dropped cooking pots on the floor by accident and she didn't flinch at the noise..her deafness is age related add unfortunately there is nothing the vet can do..I feel so sad that she can no longer hear my voice..I've had her since she was 6wks old and I'm very partial to her.
Misha
Calico
1 Month
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
I found a calico kitten on the street. She didn't seem older than 4 weeks. I took her to the vet and he said she was fine but after she gains some weight to come back in 2 weeks for some pills so she doesn't have parasites. After 2 weeks I took her to the vet, she had gained weight (not excessive) but she had one big problem, she was very dizzy could barely stand. The vet put her on some IV drops saying that most likely she needs to be hydrated. After 2 days at the vet with IV she seems better. after a month she still has equilibrium problems, her head shakes and (this is my fault) i did not notice if she was deaf from the start or if she had something else happen to her when her 1st dizziness started. She never had a foul smell in her ear and were always clean.
Wally
dsh
3 Months
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
I took in a feral kitten who was underdeveloped. Full of parasites, (fleas and worms) my vet said he was about 2-2.5 months old and half the size he should be. He's had wax (and it was tested to be sure, it is just wax) coming out of one ear since in my care. He also seems to not hear as well from that ear (understandable) but the vet didn't find any infection or mites or any reason why he's having the wax discharge, so I was wondering if you'd think it was related to his development issues? Or maybe he had an illness while still outside (his mom has a respiratory cold) and although he's ok now, it could have damaged his ear? I clean it out gently every other day, it's not as much (amount) as it was a couple weeks ago but still a thing. (He's normal otherwise, plays fine eats and drinks and potty's normal)
Hearing Loss Average Cost
From 300 quotes ranging from $100 - $500
Average Cost
$250
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