Deaf Cat: How to Help
Deaf cats are still happy pets. Some hearing loss is a natural, normal part of the aging process. Making simple accommodations for a hearing-impaired pet isn’t difficult. Besides, it’s what we do for our friends....
There is no reason your deaf cat shouldn't have a happy, fun-filled life. Some pets are born deaf, or are genetically predisposed to deafness. For example, blue-eyed white cats can be born with a condition that results in deafness at an early age. But she doesn't know she's different, and with a few accommodations, shouldn't have any trouble in most households.
Normal Cat Hearing
Normal cats hear much better than we do. However, youthful pets hear better than middle aged and older animals. Cats typically hear the same low-pitched sounds as humans, as well as frequencies as high as 100,000 cycles per second—people can only hear sound waves up to 20,000 cycles per second. Your cat can hear sounds in a 10½-octave range—a wider span of frequencies than any other mammal. That allows your cat to hear nearly ultrasonic rodent squeaks.
Normal Hearing Loss
With age, the delicate structures of the inner ear begin to lose their sensitivity to vibration. This normal age-related hearing loss, called presbycusis, develops in every pet that lives long enough—just as it does in aging people. Hearing loss can be accelerated by damage from loud noises. Chronic ear infections may also result in hearing loss.
Cats can’t tell us that they’re hard of hearing, and they compensate by paying more attention with their other senses. They sleep more, meow loudly (because they can't hear themselves), watch owners and other pets more closely, and cue off of their behaviour to know that somebody’s at the door, for example. Deaf pets also pay closer attention to vibration and air currents—the breeze made by an open door may cue them you’ve come home from work. Even when they can’t hear the can opener, the cat’s internal “clock” will announce suppertime.
5 Ways to Help a Deaf Cat
•Use visual signals rather than your voice to communicate with your deaf pet. Cats easily learn to respond to hand signals, the beam of a flashlight, or the porch light flicked on and off, to come inside for dinner.
•A “dog whistle” that uses high-frequency sound waves may still be detectible to your hearing-impaired pet even when he can no longer hear your voice. The vibration from striking the lowest notes on the piano may be felt, even when your pet can’t hear—use that as a signal to call your pet.
•Deaf pets startle more easily. Always approach your pet so he sees you coming, and stomp your foot or give him some other warning before petting him to avoid being accidentally nipped when you startle him.
•Deafness also raises safety concerns. Can the dozing, deaf cat wake up in time to get away from an aggressive housemate, or pestering toddler? Keeping deaf cats inside is probably the safest option.
•A “pet locator” is helpful when your cat can’t hear you, and you can’t find him. Attach a pendant to the cat’s collar that emits a tone a light when the hand-held transmitter is activated. Some deaf cats may “feel” the sound vibration, too, and the product is helpful for training purposes. That helps locate the cat whenever he goes out of sight. A “key finder” product should work well for this purpose.
This link is to a wonderful article, perhaps you will take a few minutes to read it