REX SPECS EAR PRO

If you have ever been to a kennel or animal shelter, you know that there is often a deafening noise from the dogs barking. For the dogs living there, it can literally cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Ear protection for dogs can help prevent this.

Hearing is particularly important for working dogs such as military, police, and search and rescue dogs, both for the safety of the dog and their handler . Working dogs must be able to move around in their environment and hear commands. But when dogs suffer from noise-induced hearing loss, they cannot do this as well and can therefore put everyone in danger. In some cases, these dogs may then be only partially fit for duty. Just like people, dogs can suffer hearing damage from any form of sustained loud noise such as truck or helicopter transport, gunfire, or even a noisy construction site nearby.

For this reason, Rex Specs partnered with Zeteo Tech and Dr. Peter M. Skip Scheifele, PhD—a leading veterinary audiologist in the United States—to help develop hearing protection for military dogs, active duty working dogs, and their civilian counterparts. To answer all your questions about hearing protection for dogs, Rex Specs spoke directly with Dr. Scheifele. Here's what he had to say.

(Answers have been edited for clarity and efficiency.)

What is noise-induced hearing loss in dogs?

Noise-induced hearing loss is what happens to the ear when it is exposed for extended periods to sounds within the animal's hearing frequency range and loud enough to fatigue the stereocilia, which form the tips of the hair cells in the inner ear. These stereocilia eventually fatigue to the point where they no longer function, preventing the brain from receiving sound from the ear.

How can you tell if a dog is suffering from hearing loss?

We do an actual audiological test that we call the BAER test - we call it the bear test, although it's not spelled like bear. This is an electrophysiological test that tells us what the dog's hearing threshold is in each ear. The hearing threshold is defined as the level that the dog actually hears at the time of the test.

Generally, we do these tests on puppies, and when we do a BAER screening test on a puppy, we put a very loud sound in the ear that the ear should definitely be able to hear. If the dog's ear and brain do not respond to the sound, the puppy is deaf.

With an older dog, we would go through a series of different intensities and wherever the intensity stops - where the waveforms no longer match, then we know that the dog can hear up to that point, but not after that.

What are the situations that can cause noise-induced hearing loss in dogs?

There are actually many situations. But the bottom line is that any type of noise that is prolonged and intense within the frequency range they can hear can cause hearing loss. For example, dogs kept in kennels (larger kennels in shelters that aren't usually built to dampen sound) are exposed to the noise of barking, etc. Dogs regularly exposed to gunfire—like hunting dogs—can suffer noise-induced hearing loss. Even dogs kept in very noisy situations outside of homes. Any of these things can cause hearing loss.

What problems can hearing damage cause in dogs?

When a dog becomes deaf, there are naturally behavioral issues that need to be addressed, both with the human and the dog. If the dog has mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss, the dog will not respond as quickly to the owner, may appear very confused, or may be unable to pinpoint the source of the sound. All of this leads to some challenges in working with the dog and in ensuring that the dog understands what a human handler is trying to communicate.

How does the Rex Specs Ear Pro by Zeteo Tech hearing protection for dogs work?

Hearing protection for dogs works in a similar way to hearing protection for humans . The Ear Pro covers the ears and, thanks to its snug fit, prevents noise from reaching the dog's ear. The engineered, stretchy fabric and acoustic foam used to make the noise protection help the Ear Pro fit snugly against the dog's head, forming a tight seal around the ear . In audiology, we use the term "dumped" or "dumped," or even "eliminated," to describe what happens to sound when it tries to pass through sound-blocking materials. The goal of hearing protection is to attenuate as much noise as possible—reducing stereocilia fatigue and reducing noise-induced hearing loss.

Why was the EAR PRO specifically developed for military and working dogs?

These hearing protection devices were originally developed for the military. The amount of training these service dogs undergo in noisy conditions, the kennel environment (where they can have up to 100 dogs in one kennel), transportation noise in helicopters and airplanes, or gunfire can have long-term effects on a dog's hearing. All of this can reduce the dog's hearing ability and thus impair the dog's ability to continue working.

After all, military personnel, law enforcement officers and members of emergency services rely heavily on their dog's ability to perform to their full potential. We want the dog to be able to hear as well as possible, not only for the dog's well-being, but also for the handler's safety.

In what situations would you recommend hearing protection for a non-service dog?

There are countless situations in which dogs could benefit from hearing protection - these include

• On the hunt – with repeated shooting stress
• Transport in aircraft, trucks and other vehicles where there is noise pollution from the engine
• Noisy outdoor environments, such as concerts, sporting events or near buildings
• Holidays where dogs are exposed to noise from fireworks, honking, etc.
• Fearful dogs who are unsettled by city noise such as cars, trams, etc.