How do you know if your cat is deaf?

Being a feline parent, we’re sure you understand how crucial it is to make sure your cat is consistently healthy and content. Yet deafness is one condition that can be more difficult to diagnose than others.

While some cats may have hearing problems from birth, others may experience issues as a result of trauma, disease, or ageing. Regardless of the cause, owners may help detect whether their feline is experiencing hearing loss by keeping an eye out for certain symptoms or behavioural changes.

Deafness in cats might be more difficult to diagnose since the symptoms can be mistaken for their personal characteristics that you may think your cat has. But there are a few easy tests you can perform at home, so that you may contact your veterinarian if you have any worries regarding their hearing.

Please see below to establish any signs of deafness in cats:

1. Observe your cat’s general behaviour closely: Your cat may feel uneasy because of hearing loss or deafness, so be aware if they become more needy and clingy when they are around you, or if they hide away more than usual. When a cat loses their hearing gradually, they usually become less confident. Every time you sit down, your cat could try to climb into your lap or, in order to catch your attention, they could also follow you around more than they normally would and may meow loudly.

2. Check how your feline reacts to sounds: As you undoubtedly know, cats are incredibly alert to any noises or disturbances and are naturally timid animals. 

For a few days, observe your cat closely to see how they react to sounds they are accustomed to hearing. A cat who is deaf will no longer respond to sounds, such as their name being called, your footsteps, or opening their favourite food. The way your cat responds to these sounds may be able to tell you whether your cat is deaf or not.

Your cat might be deaf or losing their hearing if they don't jump or show signs of surprise when you clap your hands loudly or after hearing a thunderstorm. Although, it's important to note that cats do respond to vibrations even if they're deaf, so this method isn't always completely trustworthy.

However, your cat may begin to shake their head and scratch at their ears if they are losing their hearing. Examine their ears with a torch and ideally using a magnifying glass. Pay attention to any unpleasant smells emanating from your cat's ears, since these could indicate an ear full of pus, bloody discharge, or excessive wax.

3. Keep an eye on their bedtime: Cats usually sleep for around 15 hours a day on average. An unstimulated cat will sleep more and get bored more quickly. Observe closely how long your cat is sleeping for. If they sleep for more than 15 hours and appear to be in deep slumber most of the time, they may be losing their hearing or completely deaf.

4. Pay Attention to How Loudly Your Cat Speaks: Seeing how loudly your cat vocalises might help determine whether they are deaf or not. Should your feline usually be talkative, you may not see significant changes, unless they start to meow louder and louder over time, as it can be hard for them to control how loud they meow. But, if your cat isn't typically a "talker", and they start meowing more frequently, this could be a sign that their hearing is failing. Try to always be very aware of how frequently & loudly your cat meows!

Even though learning that your cat is deaf, or losing their hearing, could be worrisome, remember that they can learn to live with their hearing loss and still lead happy, healthy lives. To find out if your cat is deaf, keep a close check on them and use the advice in this article.

If you think your cat may have a hearing issue, it's always a good idea to make an appointment with your veterinarian to be sure your cat gets the care they need.