A dog who is losing hearing rarely goes quiet all at once. More often the change is patchy: the doorbell still gets a reaction because she sees you move toward it, the treat bag still works because the cupboard door vibrates, but a soft call from the next room gets nothing. Owners often describe it as stubbornness at first, especially in an older dog who has always known her cues well. Paying attention to which sounds still land, and which no longer do, is what turns a vague suspicion into something a vet can actually investigate.
How hearing loss tends to show at home
Watch for patterns rather than single moments. A dog with reduced hearing may sleep more soundly and need a visual cue or a gentle touch on the shoulder to wake, bark more loudly than before because she is not regulating her own volume, or follow housemates from room to room to read their body language. Sudden startling when approached from behind, missing a cue she knows well when she cannot see you, and reacting promptly to a hand signal but not to the matching spoken word are all worth noting. Notice, too, whether the change seems worse in one setting, such as outdoors in wind, than in a quiet room, because that detail helps separate hearing change from simple distraction.
Simple checks you can do before the visit
Keep checks gentle and repeat them on separate days, because a tired, unwell, or deeply distracted dog can miss sounds for other reasons. Stand out of sight and use a familiar sound at a normal volume, without stamping, knocking furniture, or creating a draft she could feel on her coat. Try a range across the session: her name spoken softly, a squeak toy held behind your back, keys jingled quietly. Record what she responded to, at roughly what distance, and whether she turned toward the sound or simply looked up in a general way. Avoid testing right beside her ears with loud noises, which tells you little about everyday hearing and can genuinely distress her.
What the vet is likely to check
At the clinic, expect the vet to start with a careful ear examination, looking for wax buildup, infection, inflammation, or a growth that could be muffling sound, since some causes of reduced hearing can be treated. The vet will also review her age and breed, any recent ear trouble, and any medicines she takes, then observe her responses to sounds at different volumes and from different sides. If the clinic needs a more precise measure, you may be referred for a hearing test that records the brain's responses to clicks, which can show how much hearing remains in each ear separately. Bring your notes: when you first noticed changes, whether they arrived gradually or suddenly, and whether head shaking, scratching, or discharge came with them, because sudden loss alongside pain or a head tilt needs prompt attention rather than watchful waiting.
Living with reduced hearing is mostly about changing how you communicate. Approach where she can see you, pair consistent hand signals with spoken cues, keep her on a lead in open areas where a recall may not reach her, and let visitors know to get her attention visually before touching her. None of that needs to wait for a final label; you can start as soon as you notice the pattern forming. Keeping your sound-check notes, the ear examination findings, and any referral results together in KinsLe's Pet Passport means every future visit can compare her hearing against a recorded baseline rather than starting the conversation from scratch.