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 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…