A study conducted at North Carolina State University found that hearing loss can be connected to dementia in senior dogs.

Researchers studied 39 elderly companion dogs. The dogs had their hearing assessed through auditory testing and underwent canine cognitive testing.

The dogs’ owners also filled out questionnaires that asked them to assess their dogs’ cognitive function using a standard canine dementia scale as well as an overall canine quality of life assessment.

An analysis of the testing found that dogs with hearing loss had lower vitality and companionship scores than dogs with normal hearing. The dogs with the most hearing loss also had more signs of cognitive decline, showing reduced ability to perform tasks.

The researchers note that hearing loss is also associated with cognitive decline in humans. They report that sensory decline can be a greater risk factor than high blood pressure or obesity.

In dogs, the other known risk factor for cognitive decline is eating a poor quality, uncontrolled diet.

The researchers say that like in humans, hearing loss can lead to social isolation and depression in dogs, even without cognitive decline. This was reflected in the lower quality of life scores in the dogs with hearing loss.

To learn more about coping with hearing loss in your senior dog, check out this helpful article. To read the full text of the study, published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, click HERE.