Come again? Dog hearing aid is in the works
A University of Cincinnati researcher says the canine hearing aid he is developing may be ready for the market by the end of this year.
Pete Scheifele began working on a hearing aid for dogs after his own 17-year-old dog — a miniature pinscher/beagle mix — lost his hearing.
The highly trained dog has appeared on television and performed for schools and didn’t seem to mind wearing the prototype. In fact, he would seek it out and nudge it when he wasn’t wearing it, Scheifele says.
Researchers are now working on modifications to make the prototype version smaller and more comfortable, according to a report in DVM 360.
The hearing aid would only work on dogs with acquired hearing loss, according to Scheifele, Director of UC’s Bioacoustics and Canine Audiology Clinic.
Scheifele says he is in discussions for commercialization of the prototype and hopes it might be available for sale later this year.
(Photo: Courtesy of University of Cincinnati)
Posted by jwoestendiek May 7th, 2009 under Muttsblog.
Tags: audiology, bioacoustics, canine, deaf, disorder, dog, dogs, health, hearing, hearing aid, hearing loss, loss of hearing, marketing, prototype, university of cincinnati, vet, veterinarian, veterinary
Comments
Comment from Patti Wimmer
Time November 15, 2009 at 11:05 am
My 14 year old Yorkie has just recently lost his hearing..Other than that the vet can hardly tell he’s more than 6-8 years old, he’s in such good shape. I sure hope this hearing aid becomes available…he’s confused by his silent world…
Comment from Brenda Hutto
Time January 31, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Could you e-mail me when this becomes available, My little yorkie Sam just turned 13 years old and just lost his hearing. I would do anything to help him get his hearing back.
Comment from Russ King
Time February 9, 2010 at 10:49 am
I have a SCHIPPERKEE(14yo) that has near blinding cataracts & has suddnly lost her hearing 2/10. I am afraid she will loose touch with everything.Please send an update on availability on your hearing aid. There is a too big a risk for the operation on her eyes in her condition.
Comment from Lesa Scheifele
Time March 5, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Dr. Pete Scheifele (in the picture with Sybil…a seeing eye dog being tested…) runs FETCH-LAB out of the University of Cincinnati. You can get his contact information by typing his name into the University site, or go right to the FETCH-LAB site at: http://fetchlab.org/. We are currently testing dogs and fitting a select few for custom aids (at the owners expense, though we keep costs down as much as possible). The biggest hurdle has been the dogs being willing to accept the aids and, equally, the humans involved being willing to put the time into training the dog over a period of months to get used to and appreciate the aid.
Comment from Danette Boskovich
Time April 4, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Hi, I would love to get a hearing aid for my Dazi, a 14 yr old cocker spaniel,she lost her hearing 2 yrs ago and has lost one eye to gluccoma last year and we are trying to save the other eye, other than that she still acts like a puppy,every so often I think she can hear certain pitches, a hearing aid would help my baby and me out. HOW CAN I GET ONE
Comment from Bob Joines
Time April 13, 2010 at 10:50 am
Our 15-year old toy poodle has started losing her hearing. She still hears loud or sharp sounds but not words. She was voice trained and is very confused by her hearing loss. She remains very healthy otherwise. We would be very interested in a hearing aid for her.
Comment from TINA HOLLY
Time April 25, 2010 at 11:40 am
Our almost 13 yr. old Lab “Lucy” was slowing loosing her hearing. After 2 surgeries, “dental cleaning” & Lp surgery she is almost DEAF. I have read about dogs loosing their hearing during surgery due to the positioning of their jaw and not getting blood flow to the right places.. She seems depressed & confused. Please hurry with this aid. How & when will we know this is ready on the market?
Comment from Alexis
Time August 21, 2010 at 1:24 pm
My Min Pin was exposed to a gunshot last week and has suffered total loss for conversational sound, I want to get her a hearing aid.
Comment from WOODIE SAFRIT
Time August 29, 2010 at 6:51 pm
I HAVE SIX CAVILEAR ,KING CHARLES SPANIELS 3 ARE HAVING HEARING PROBLEMS VARIOUS AGES. INTERESTED IN HEARING HELP MONEY IS NOT A CONSIDERATION . S.C. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER. 8O3 222 1494
Comment from Fred & Family
Time December 26, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Please let me know the cost on a hearing aid? Do you known where they preform surguries in dog ears. We are concerned what adverse reaction can happen to a dog that is 6 years old and born deaf?
Comment from Lorrie
Time January 5, 2011 at 2:25 am
Hi..thank u so much for pursuing this endeavor! We would very much like to try it on our 12 yo lab who has so much language with his people! I rely heavily on language and sounds to communicate with our boy chance..he knows more language than any other dog vie ever had…it’s been sad to loose out on the sutblties of this with him these last months as he looks at us a little perplexed and vacant ..I find myself shouting the words and sounds and checking and double checking to see if he understands..with his orthopedic issues and general slowing down and deficiencies this would go a long way to keeping our puppy at heart lab as vibrant as possible. Thank u kindly…sooner the better!
Comment from Eunice Morgan
Time March 4, 2011 at 4:45 pm
I have a 15 year old Jack Russell terrier who is now very deaf. She stands around as if waiting for sound to come to her and this makes her look sad. I applaud you for working on this, and would like to know as soon as an aide becomes available. Do you know yet what the price is likely to be?
Comment from amber
Time March 7, 2011 at 9:54 pm
My dog is 14 months old and is deaf he has learned some hand signals but its really hard for him to understand some of them i was wondering if there was a surgery for my dog so he can hear for the first time it makes me sad that he cant hear i would get him hearing aids if it wasnt so expensive if anyone knows of the surgery let me know
Comment from william
Time August 28, 2011 at 4:34 pm
my dog cant hear, he is only 7 can any one send me some info, thanks
Comment from Dmitry
Time October 24, 2011 at 3:22 pm
my dog cant hear, he is 15 can any one send me some info, thanks
Comment from LANE MALLETTE
Time October 30, 2011 at 4:07 pm
When and where can we buy one.
Comment from Pat Duggan
Time November 27, 2011 at 1:26 pm
My 12 yr old Chiweenie has lost her hearing. I’d love to find something to help her. She seems so sad and sleeps all the time now.
Comment from Lori
Time November 29, 2011 at 2:39 am
I have a 13 year old cockapoo who is unilaterally deaf… Where can I buy one of these hearing aids for him? How much? I need on desperately. Will someone please point me in the right direction for help? Thank you.
Comment from jim nickel
Time December 6, 2011 at 7:30 pm
do they make external hearing aids that are in a neck collar for dogs in lieu of an implant?
Comment from ruby gambers
Time September 9, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Hi…
My Dalmation mix just started to lose her hearing approx 6 months ago… she is now 12 years old… I would really like to try your hearing aid…
she has been trained with hand signals since a puppy…. so I am ahead of the game somewhat… but need to be in front of her to do this…