What are Hearing Loss?
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.
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Symptoms of Hearing Loss in Cats
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:
- Cat’s meow is much louder than normal
- Cat doesn’t respond to normal environmental sounds
- Cat seems to ignore its name or being called
- Cat responds to humans or stimuli only when they are in sight
- Sleeps more than normal
- Turns away from owner when it is called
- Doesn’t wake in response to loud sounds or conversations
- Startles easily
Symptoms of hearing loss from illness:
- Bad odor from the cat’s ears
- Pus coming from the cat’s ears
- Appears dizzy or disoriented
- Tips of the ears become scaly or pink
- Pawing at the ears
- Shaking the head
Causes of Hearing Loss in Cats
The causes of deafness in cats vary widely:
Medical
- Illness, such as ear infection (otitis externa, which can travel to the inner ear)
- Ear mites
- Polyps
- Cancerous growths in the ear canal
- Hypothyroidism
- Excessive ear wax in the cat’s ears
Genetic
- Cats born with two blue eyes and white fur are much more likely to be deaf
- Atresia,a defect in the ear canal’s development
Environmental
- Exposure to household chemicals
- Taking diuretic medications or some antibiotics
Age
- The cat’s eardrum thickens as a cat gets older
- Fused bones in the inner ear
- Nerve damage
Diagnosis of Hearing Loss in Cats
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.
Treatment of Hearing Loss in Cats
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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Recovery of Hearing Loss in Cats
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.
Hearing Loss Average Cost
From 300 quotes ranging from $100 - $500
Average Cost
$250
Top
Hearing Loss Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
I don’t know
A couple weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
I Don’T Know
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
Answered by 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
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tabby
Missy
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Staring, Jumpiness
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
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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mixed
Dolly
7 Weeks
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sleeps A Lot
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
2 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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Shorthair
Buddy
17 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Loud Meow
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
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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domestic short hair
Carrie
14 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Can'T Hear Well
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
3 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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Turkish Angora
Enzo
9 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hearing Loss
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)
Shorthair
Phoebe
15 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ear Itching
Loss Of Balance
Loss Of Hearing
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?
Hearing Loss Average Cost
From 300 quotes ranging from $100 - $500
Average Cost
$250
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
