Expert: Karen Craft - 12/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I recently adopted a six month old kitten from a woman who works along side our local shelter. To our surprise our little bundle of love is deaf. We don't know if she is just deaf in one ear, or completely deaf. It seems she can hear certain frequencies yet not always. I work nights, so when I come in, she is usually awake, and she will walk up and down the halls crying. Even at times when I am petting her she cries. Is there anything that would not stop her meowing but lessen it, or something I could do? I have tryed playing with her before I go to work, and when I come in, so that she is tired, but that hasn't worked yet.

ANSWER: Hi Brittany,

This may be a stupid question but are you sure she is deaf? Have you gotten conformation from your vet about this? The reason I am asking this is because there are a few diseases that can cause her actions rather than her being deaf. Write back and let me know if you had her seen by a vet. I'll be able to help you further then. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am not totally sure she is deaf either. We did get a conformation from the vet about two weeks ago. But..I did the vacuum cleaner test.she seems to hear it and freak out. There was one night I had her on my shoulder mom was banging on the door, She didnt seem to hear her, but when mom came in, lacy saw her at that moment and it scared the living daylights out of her. I had claw marks on my neck for two weeks she freaked out so badly. But I'm not quite sure if she really is deaf. What kinds of diseases could cause that kind of action. And thank you so much for replying. I really appreciate it.
~Brittany~

Answer
Hi Brittany,

Okay, your vet confirms it. She may be able to hear certain tones but for all purposes she is deaf. You need to find the frequencies she can hear. Try different whistles, clickers or even a light. You need to find something that will warn her that someone is coming into the room with her. You can even try stomping on the floor or tapping something so she feels the vibration. She needs assurance. This is why she is crying at night. She is trying to locate you.

One thing you might want to consider for her is another cat. She won't be lonely and the other cat can be her "ears". If you do get another cat make sure you use a cat intro protocol when introducing them. She will rely on the other cat for clues as to what is happening around her.

There are two types of hearing loss in a cat. One is nerve. This can be congenital like blue eyed, white cats. It can be from a toxic reaction to some sort of drug. Or it can be from a tumor.
The other type is conduction. This comes from infections, middle ear polyps, or a tumor. Conduction type can be reversed. Nerve cannot. Your vet needs to check the ear out carefully to see which she has.

Having a deaf cat around is a little more work to get her settled in. Once you establish a routine with her she will be fine. She relies on her eyes as her main info source. Always try to make contact with so she sees you. A flashlight works great for this. If she meows at night use your light so she knows where you are. She will do fine once you two figure things out. Patience is needed until then. Good luck. And consider getting another cat.

Ciao, Karen