Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hearing loss in aging dogs - effects on brain and quality of life
By Fefer, Gilad et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2022·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Relationship between hearing, cognitive function, and quality of life in aging companion dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 39 elderly dogs was studied to see how hearing loss affected their thinking abilities and quality of life. The dogs were tested for their hearing and cognitive function, with results showing that as their hearing worsened, their mental performance and overall happiness declined. Dogs with severe hearing loss (90 dB) had abnormal cognitive scores, while many in the better-hearing groups still performed well. This suggests that hearing loss in older dogs can lead to more significant cognitive issues and affect their relationship with their owners.
People also search for: dog hearing loss symptoms · elderly dog cognitive function · how to help my dog with hearing loss
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Elderly people with presbycusis are at higher risk for dementia and depression than the general population. There is no information regarding consequences of presbycusis in dogs. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the relationship between cognitive function, quality of life, and hearing loss in aging companion dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-nine elderly companion dogs. METHODS: Prospective study. Hearing was evaluated using brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing. Dogs were grouped by hearing ability. Owners completed the canine dementia scale (CADES) and canine owner-reported quality of life (CORQ) questionnaire. Cognitive testing was performed, and cognitive testing outcomes, CADES and CORQ scores and age were compared between hearing groups. RESULTS: Nineteen dogs could hear at 50 dB, 12 at 70 dB, and 8 at 90 dB with mean ages (months) of 141 ± 14, 160 ± 16, and 172 ± 15 for each group respectively (P = .0002). Vitality and companionship CORQ scores were significantly lower as hearing deteriorated (6.6-5.4, 50-90 dB group, P = .03 and 6.9-6.2, 50-90 dB group, P = .02, respectively). Cognitive classification by CADES was abnormal in all 90 dB group dogs and normal in 3/12 70 dB group and 11/19 50 dB group dogs (P = .0004). Performance on inhibitory control, detour and sustained gaze tasks decreased significantly with hearing loss (P = .001, P = .008, P = .002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, higher CADES score was associated with worse hearing (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Presbycusis negatively alters owner-pet interactions and is associated with poor executive performance and owner-assessed dementia severity.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35932193/