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Canine Hearing Tests
Screening puppies for deafness is important so we can support their early care and development. It also provides breeders with valuable information, helping to then reduce the incidence of congenital deafness in high-risk breeds. For adult dogs, we can confirm the presence and severity of hearing issues before undertaking any necessary investigations into underlying causes.
Who can book appointments for the animal hearing clinic?
Breeder Appointment Requests
Breeders wishing to have litters checked can make booking requests by sending an email to qmhreception@rvc.ac.uk. Please use “Hearing Clinic – Litter Appointment Request” in the email subject line
Vet Professionals: need to refer a patient?
Dog and Puppy Hearing Test Prices
(Last price update January 2026)
- Puppy litter hearing tests: £50 per puppy where a litter of puppies is brought in for routine hearing tests.
- Individual dog: £155 (+ routine neurology consultation charge).
Fact Sheet - Deafness in Dogs
Common Causes of Canine Congenital Deafness:
Genetic/Hereditary Factors:
Most commonly, these are thought to be caused by mutations that compromise the function of the melanocytes (pigment cells) which are crucial for normal functioning of the cochlea of the inner ear. These include the PMEL gene (or Merle gene and the MITF (Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) gene (linked to Dalmatians, Bull Terriers etc)
Cochleosaccular Degeneration: This congenital deafness occurs in the first few weeks after birth and is often linked to white coat pigmentation.
Neuroepithelial Degeneration: This is hair cell loss in the cochlea which may cause both deafness and balance issues.
In Utero Infections/Toxins: This can arise if the mother suffered from certain infections or was exposed to certain toxins or medications during pregnancy.
Which dog breeds are more susceptible to congenital deafness?
There are more than 90 breeds in which congenital deafness has been documented.
Most common dog breeds connected with deafness are:
- Border Collies
- Shetland Sheepdogs,
- Great Danes
- Dalmatians
- Bull Terriers
- Samoyeds
Full list here: https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/deafness/breeds.php
Other common causes of hearing loss in dogs
- Chronic Ear Infections (Otitis Externa/Media/Interna)
- Drug toxicity (such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, topical chlorhexidine solutions )
- Ageing (Presbycusis)
- Inflammatory Polyps/Tumours: These obstruct the external ear canal and can cause conduction deafness. Tumours can also invade the inner ear and destroy the hair cells (the receptor cells for hearing).
- Trauma: Physical damage to the eardrum or a severe head injury may result in loss of hearing.
- Endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism can cause changes in metabolism, leading to impaired blood flow and nerve function, occasionally affecting hearing.
Brainstem disorders such as inflammatory disease or tumours can affect the brain’s ability to process sound.
