What Are the Causes of Deafness in Dogs?
Temporary Hearing Loss Temporary hearing loss can occur when wax builds up inside a dog’s ear canal. Breeds with narrow ear canals, including poodles, face an increased risk of this condition. Hair around the ears can cause a blockage in the ear canal when it collects wax, especially in terrier breeds and cocker spaniels. Middle ear or inner ear infections, a foreign object in the ear and trauma from exposure to loud noises such as shotguns can also result in temporary hearing loss. Permanent Hearing Loss Causes of permanent hearing loss include untreated ear infections, noise trauma and injuries. Certain antibiotics can destroy the cochlear hair cells, leading to deafness. General anesthesia can also cause permanent hearing loss, although the cause for this is unknown. It can also occur due to old age or inherited deafness, which is most common in Dalmatians. Breeds with piebald spots, such as beagles and English setters, and breeds with merle colored coats, such as Shetland sheepdogs
