Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Relationship between hearing, cognitive function, and quality of life in aging companion dogs.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary internal medicine
- Year:
- 2022
- Authors:
- Fefer, Gilad et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how hearing loss affects the thinking ability and quality of life in older dogs. Researchers tested the hearing of 39 elderly dogs and found that as their hearing got worse, their quality of life and cognitive function also declined. For example, dogs that could only hear loud sounds (90 dB) had significantly lower scores for vitality and companionship compared to those that could hear softer sounds (50 dB). Additionally, most dogs with severe hearing loss showed signs of cognitive decline, while many dogs with better hearing did not. Overall, the findings suggest that hearing loss in older dogs can lead to poorer interactions with their owners and worse mental performance.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Elderly people with presbycusis are at higher risk for dementia and depression than the general population. There is no information regarding consequences of presbycusis in dogs. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the relationship between cognitive function, quality of life, and hearing loss in aging companion dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-nine elderly companion dogs. METHODS: Prospective study. Hearing was evaluated using brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing. Dogs were grouped by hearing ability. Owners completed the canine dementia scale (CADES) and canine owner-reported quality of life (CORQ) questionnaire. Cognitive testing was performed, and cognitive testing outcomes, CADES and CORQ scores and age were compared between hearing groups. RESULTS: Nineteen dogs could hear at 50 dB, 12 at 70 dB, and 8 at 90 dB with mean ages (months) of 141 ± 14, 160 ± 16, and 172 ± 15 for each group respectively (P = .0002). Vitality and companionship CORQ scores were significantly lower as hearing deteriorated (6.6-5.4, 50-90 dB group, P = .03 and 6.9-6.2, 50-90 dB group, P = .02, respectively). Cognitive classification by CADES was abnormal in all 90 dB group dogs and normal in 3/12 70 dB group and 11/19 50 dB group dogs (P = .0004). Performance on inhibitory control, detour and sustained gaze tasks decreased significantly with hearing loss (P = .001, P = .008, P = .002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, higher CADES score was associated with worse hearing (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Presbycusis negatively alters owner-pet interactions and is associated with poor executive performance and owner-assessed dementia severity.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35932193/