Dogs' acute hearing makes them susceptible to noise-induced damage from gunfire, fireworks, and loud environments. Protecting canine hearing prevents chronic welfare compromise in working and pet dogs.
Noise-induced hearing loss is a preventable welfare problem whose cumulative impact on working dogs has been underappreciated. Hunting dogs exposed to repeated gunfire without ear protection accumulate cochlear damage that progressively impairs hearing. The behavioural consequences of hearing loss — reduced responsiveness, startling, communication difficulties with owners, and potentially increased anxiety — all affect quality of life. Canine ear defenders are available and demonstrated effective in reducing peak sound exposure. The welfare case for their use in working dogs parallels the occupational health case for hearing protection in human workers — both groups experience chronic occupational noise exposure whose cumulative effects are preventable.