If you’ve found yourself wondering, “is my dog deaf?”, you’re not alone. Many dog owners first notice hearing loss through small changes at home: a dog who no longer comes when called, sleeps through loud noises, or seems easily startled when approached from behind.
Deafness in dogs can happen suddenly, gradually with age, or be present from birth. Some dogs are completely deaf in both ears, while others may only have partial hearing loss or be deaf in one ear. The good news is that deaf dogs can still live full, happy, safe lives with the right care, training and communication.
This guide will help you spot the common signs your dog may be losing their hearing, understand possible causes, and know when to speak to your vet.
Common Signs Your Dog May Be Deaf
The most obvious sign of hearing loss is a lack of response to sound. However, it can be surprisingly easy to miss at first, especially if your dog is very good at reading body language, watching routines, or following another dog’s lead.
Here are some common signs to look out for.
Every deaf dog deserves safety, care and the chance to be understood. At Hear No Evil, donations help us rescue, rehabilitate and rehome deaf dogs across Australia, while giving adopters the support they need through our deaf dog training and adoption resources. If you believe every dog deserves a second chance, please donate to Hear No Evil and help us continue saving deaf dogs who need us most.
1. Your Dog Does Not Respond When Called
A dog who used to come running when you called their name may suddenly seem to ignore you. Before assuming they are being stubborn, consider whether they actually heard you.
Try calling from another room when your dog cannot see you. Avoid using floor vibrations, hand movements or visual cues. If they do not react at all, hearing loss may be a possibility.
2. They Sleep Through Loud Noises
Many dogs wake up at the sound of keys, food packets, doorbells, cars in the driveway or family members arriving home. If your dog now sleeps through sounds that used to excite or alert them, it may be a sign their hearing has changed.
This can be especially noticeable with older dogs who gradually stop responding to household noises.
3. They Startle Easily When Touched
A deaf or hard-of-hearing dog may be startled if someone touches them while they are sleeping or facing away. This does not mean they are aggressive or badly behaved. They simply may not know someone is nearby.
If your dog jumps, flinches or reacts suddenly when approached from behind, start using gentle visual signals or floor vibrations before touching them.
4. They Bark More Than Usual
Some deaf dogs bark more because they cannot hear themselves properly. Others may bark due to confusion, frustration or separation anxiety. You may also notice a change in the tone or volume of their bark.
A change in barking behaviour does not automatically mean your dog is deaf, but it is worth paying attention to when combined with other signs.
5. They Seem Disoriented or Confused
A dog losing their hearing may appear unsure about where sounds are coming from. They may look around in the wrong direction, fail to notice people entering the room, or seem confused in busy environments.
Dogs with hearing in only one ear may still respond to some sounds but struggle to locate them accurately.
6. They No Longer React to Everyday Sounds
Think about the noises your dog usually notices. These might include:
- Their food bowl being filled
- The lead being picked up
- The front door opening
- The car pulling in
- A squeaky toy
- Other dogs barking
- Their name being called
If your dog no longer reacts to several familiar sounds, it may be time to investigate further.
7. Training Suddenly Feels Harder
If your dog used to respond to verbal cues such as “sit”, “stay” or “come” but now seems inconsistent, hearing loss may be part of the problem.
This is one reason hand signals are so valuable. Visual cues can help both hearing and deaf dogs understand what you are asking, and they are especially helpful if your dog’s hearing changes as they age.
Can Dogs Be Born Deaf?
Yes. Some dogs are born deaf due to congenital deafness. This is more common in certain breeds and is often linked with coat pigmentation, particularly dogs with white, merle or piebald colouring.
Congenital deafness may affect one ear or both ears. A puppy who is deaf in only one ear can be difficult to identify without proper testing because they may still respond to many sounds.
Can Older Dogs Lose Their Hearing?
Yes. Age-related hearing loss is common in senior dogs. It often happens gradually, so owners may not notice it straight away. You may first see subtle changes, such as your dog sleeping more deeply, ignoring distant calls, or becoming more reliant on visual cues.
Senior dogs may also experience other health or cognitive changes, so it is important not to assume every behaviour change is only due to hearing loss. A vet check can help rule out pain, infection, ear disease or other issues.
Other Causes of Hearing Loss in Dogs
Not all deafness is age-related or congenital. Dogs may also lose hearing due to:
- Ear infections
- Chronic ear inflammation
- Ear canal blockage
- Injury or trauma
- Loud noise exposure
- Certain medications
- Tumours or growths in the ear
- Neurological issues
Some causes of hearing loss may be treatable, especially if they involve infection, inflammation or blockage. That is why a vet visit is important if you notice sudden or unexplained changes.
How to Test If Your Dog Might Be Deaf at Home
You can do simple observation checks at home, but these should never replace a veterinary diagnosis.
Try making a sound when your dog cannot see you. You might softly clap, jingle keys, squeak a toy, or call their name from behind a closed door. Watch for ear movement, head turning, waking, alertness or any change in body language.
Be careful not to create vibrations through the floor, as dogs may respond to vibration rather than sound. Also avoid frightening your dog with sudden loud noises.
If your dog does not respond, repeat the test at different times. A tired, distracted or deeply sleeping dog may not react even if their hearing is normal.
The Best Way to Confirm Deafness
The most reliable way to confirm deafness is through a veterinary hearing test called a BAER test, which stands for Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response. This test measures how the brain responds to sound and can show whether a dog has hearing in one or both ears.
Your regular vet can examine your dog’s ears first and let you know whether a specialist hearing test is recommended.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Deaf
If your dog is deaf or losing their hearing, the most important thing is to shift from sound-based communication to visual communication.
You can help your dog by:
- Teaching clear hand signals
- Using gentle touch or vibration to get attention
- Keeping them on lead in unsafe open areas
- Avoiding sudden approaches from behind
- Using routine and consistency
- Rewarding check-ins and eye contact
- Making sure children understand not to startle them
Deaf dogs are not untrainable. In fact, many deaf dogs are incredibly focused because they learn to watch their people closely. With patience and positive reinforcement, they can learn household manners, recall cues, tricks, lead skills and safety signals.
When Should You See a Vet?
Book a vet appointment if your dog suddenly stops responding to sound, has signs of ear pain, shakes their head, scratches their ears, has discharge or smell from the ears, seems unbalanced, or shows a major behaviour change.
You should also speak to your vet if you suspect your puppy may be deaf or if your older dog’s hearing seems to be changing. Getting answers early can help you keep your dog safe and comfortable.
Final Thoughts: Is My Dog Deaf?
If you’re asking “is my dog deaf?”, start by observing how your dog responds to everyday sounds when they cannot see you. Missed cues, deep sleeping, easy startling and reduced response to familiar noises can all be signs of hearing loss.
However, only a vet can help you understand what is really happening and whether the cause may be treatable.
The most important thing to remember is this: deaf dogs can live wonderful lives. They can bond deeply, learn beautifully and enjoy the same love, safety and adventure as any other dog. They simply need us to communicate in a way they can understand.