Cat’s Hearing and Ears

People usually end up here after noticing something small but unsettling: a cat that startles at the faintest rustle, ignores familiar sounds, shakes its head, or keeps one ear turned oddly to the side. With ears this sensitive, minor irritation can feel big, and a missed infection can travel deeper and become harder to treat.

A cat’s hearing is built for fine detail—especially the high, thin frequencies made by small prey. Below is a clear look at how the ear is put together, what cats can truly hear, what ear positions can (and can’t) tell you, and when ear cleaning helps versus when it makes things worse.

Anatomy of a cat’s ear

A cat’s ear is a three-part instrument: the outer ear collects sound, the middle ear passes it along, and the inner ear turns vibration into nerve signals and also supports balance.¹

Outer ear: the visible flap (the pinna) acts like a funnel, guiding sound into the ear canal. Cats have unusually fine control here—about 32 muscles per ear—so each ear can swivel independently and rotate up to around 180 degrees to track a sound source.^{3, 4}

Middle ear: vibrations reach the eardrum and then pass through tiny bones (ossicles), which help transmit and amplify sound into the inner ear.¹

Inner ear: the cochlea contains sensory cells that translate vibration into nerve signals the brain can interpret as sound. Nearby, the vestibular structures help with balance and orientation, which is why deeper ear disease can show up as wobbliness or a persistent head tilt.²

How cats hear (and why it’s so sharp)

Domestic cats hear across a very wide band. Behavioural testing places their hearing range (at moderate loudness) at roughly 48 Hz to 85 kHz, extending far beyond the upper limit of human hearing.³

That high-frequency reach is not a quirky party trick. It matches the kinds of small, high-pitched noises made by rodents and other prey, and it helps explain why some household sounds—electronics, certain alarms, a distant squeak you barely register—can grab a cat’s attention instantly.³

The range of sounds cats can hear

Humans typically hear up to around 20 kHz. Cats can detect much higher frequencies, into the ultrasonic range, while still maintaining good low-frequency hearing.³

In practice, this means a cat can:

• Notice faint, high-pitched sounds at a distance that you may not register.
• Use small differences in timing and intensity between the two ears to help localise where a sound is coming from—especially when the pinnae are actively swivelling to “scan” the room.⁴

How cats use their ears to communicate

Ear position is best read as part of a whole-body snapshot—head, whiskers, eyes, posture, tail—not as a stand-alone mood meter. Still, ears do provide useful clues about attention and arousal.

• Ears forward / neutral: often seen during calm interest—watching a bird through the window, listening to you open a cupboard.
• Ears pivoting like radar dishes: active listening, tracking a moving sound source. Independent ear movement is normal and reflects their specialised ear muscles and mobility.⁴
• Ears flattened or pinned back: can appear with fear, defensive behaviour, pain, or overstimulation. If this comes with head shaking, scratching, odour, or discharge, think “ear problem” before “attitude”.^{5, 6}

Common ear problems in cats

Most healthy cats don’t have ongoing ear trouble, but when problems do show up they tend to follow a few familiar patterns.

Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis)

Ear mites are a frequent diagnosis when cats develop itchy ears. Typical signs include persistent scratching, frequent head shaking, inflamed outer ears, and a dark, waxy, foul-smelling build-up in the ear canal.⁶

Otitis externa (inflammation/infection of the ear canal)

Otitis externa can cause head shaking, scratching, redness, swelling, odour, pain and discharge. Causes vary and can include parasites, foreign material and allergies, with bacteria or yeast sometimes complicating the picture.⁵

Middle and inner ear disease (more serious)

If infection or inflammation reaches the middle or inner ear, signs can include a head tilt, loss of balance, abnormal eye movements (nystagmus) and hearing loss. This is more serious than an outer ear problem and can have lasting effects if not treated promptly.²

Cleaning your cat’s ears safely

Routine ear cleaning is not necessary for many cats. Over-cleaning can irritate the canal and remove protective wax. A vet may recommend cleaning as part of treatment or for cats with recurrent build-up.⁵

Before you clean: do a quick check

Skip cleaning and book a vet visit if you notice:

• redness or swelling
• strong odour
• discharge (especially dark “coffee-ground” debris)
• obvious pain when the ear is touched
• head tilt, wobbliness, or balance changes^{2, 5, 6}

A gentle at-home method (outer ear only)

1. Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner (made for cats).
2. Wipe the visible folds of the pinna with cotton wool or gauze—only what you can see.
3. If directed to use drops, place the nozzle at the ear opening (not deep inside), apply the recommended amount, then gently massage the base of the ear to loosen debris.
4. Let your cat shake, then wipe away loosened material from the outer ear.

Never use cotton buds (cotton swabs) inside the ear canal. They can push debris deeper and risk injury, especially if the ear is already sore.⁵

Protecting your cat’s ears and hearing

• Notice patterns. A little wax is normal; repeated head shaking, scratching, odour or discharge is not.⁵
• Treat the cause, not just the mess. Ear mites and infections need targeted treatment, and ongoing otitis often returns if underlying triggers (like allergy) aren’t addressed.^{5, 7}
• Take balance signs seriously. Staggering, head tilt, or abnormal eye movements point to deeper ear involvement and should be assessed promptly.²
• Be sensible with noise. Sudden, very loud sounds are stressful for cats, and repeated intense noise can damage hearing across species. Give cats a quiet retreat during fireworks, renovations, or parties.

Fun facts about cats and their ears (kept honest)

• Cats can rotate each ear up to about 180 degrees, using roughly 32 muscles per ear—one reason they can “lock on” to tiny sounds so quickly.⁴
• In controlled testing, cats can hear up to around 85 kHz at moderate loudness—well above human hearing.³

Final thoughts

A cat’s ear is built for precision: mobile pinnae to gather and aim sound, a sensitive inner ear to translate it, and balance organs that keep the body steady. When that system is irritated—mites, infection, inflammation—the signs are often clear: scratching, head shaking, odour, discharge, or changes in balance. A light touch and good timing matter. Clean only when it’s truly needed, and let a vet lead whenever pain, discharge, or head tilt enters the picture.^{2, 5, 6}

References

1. Encyclopaedia Britannica – Ear (anatomy)
2. Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner Version) – Otitis Media and Interna in Cats
3. Heffner HE & Heffner RS. “Hearing range of the domestic cat” (PubMed abstract)
4. FirstVet – 10 Things You Never Knew About Your Cat’s Ears
5. Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner Version) – Otitis Externa in Cats
6. Cornell Feline Health Center – Ear Mites: Tiny Critters that can Pose a Major Threat
7. Cornell Feline Health Center – Otitis
8. Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional Version) – Otitis Externa in Animals