Early Onset Adult Deafness, EOAD

Signs of hearing loss can include no longer responding to sounds like clapping, knocking, doorbells, or the dog's name. A dog with hearing loss may also be difficult to wake.

Affected dogs may have normal hearing after birth, but exhibit progressive hearing loss between 4 and 24 months of age.

Hearing disorders are generally clinically examined by using brainstem auditory-evoked response (BAER) testing to confirm unilateral or bilateral deafness.

There are no widespread treatments. Management is aimed at lifestyle changes, training, and reducing the risk of injury.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s deafness result so you can discuss any changes in hearing and plan care as needed.

Train your dog using visual cues or hand signals instead of verbal commands.

Avoid startling your dog by approaching gently and using vibration or light to get their attention.

Make sure your dog’s collar or leash has tags noting that they are deaf to help others interact safely and respectfully.

This variant was first described in Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The prevalence of this variant in other breeds is unknown.

Penetrance: This form of EOAD has an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance; that is, a dog requires two copies of the variant to show signs of the disease from the variant.

Gene

EPS8L2

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Other Systems

Citations

1. Kawakami et al 2022

• Rhodesian Ridgeback