Early Onset Adult Deafness, EOAD

other system

This form of Early Onset Adult Deafness is due to a variant in the EPS8L2 gene which likely causes degradation of inner ear hair cells.

  • Signs and symptoms

    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.

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  • Diagnosis

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

  • Treatment

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

  • What to do if your dog is at risk

    Actions

    • Train using visual cues instead of sounds
    • Avoid startling the dog
    • Put tags on leashes or collars identifying the dog as deaf

  • Genetic Information

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

    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 names:

    EPS8L2 ‐ chr18

    Inheritance type:

    recessive

  • Breeds affected

    This health condition affects the following breeds

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