Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/5/2009

Question
Our 13 year old golden retriever/chow mix has gone completeley deaf over a period of a day or two. She ordinarily has better hearing than any one in our family (can hear the garage door open when my husband comes home before any one else). I am taking her to the vet as soon as possible, but this has us baffled and worried. She is in excellent health and gets regular vet visits. Could this be permanent?

Answer
Without any other signs, like staggering or a head tilt, I would tend to think of something in the ear blocking the sound, like tumors or wax, rather than nerve deafness.  It is rare for a dog with no previous signs to go deaf like you described.  Ask your vet to do a deep ear exam and possible a deep ear flush to see if there is somethng in the ear canals or middle ears.