People usually start worrying about a cat’s hearing for the same reason they worry about eyesight: the cat seems less responsive, sleeps through familiar noises, or startles when touched. With hearing loss, the stakes are mostly practical—missed cues can look like “stubbornness”, and a deaf or hard-of-hearing cat can be at real risk outdoors because they may not detect traffic, dogs, or other sudden hazards.
Below is a clear way to think about what “normal” feline hearing looks like, what changes with age or illness, and how to keep daily life calm and safe if your cat is losing hearing.
Anatomy of a cat’s ear (and why it matters)
A cat’s ear works in three parts: the outer ear gathers sound, the middle ear passes on and amplifies vibration, and the inner ear turns those vibrations into nerve signals the brain can recognise as sound.
- Outer ear: the pinna (ear flap) funnels sound into the ear canal.
- Middle ear: the eardrum (tympanic membrane) vibrates; tiny bones transmit and amplify those vibrations.
- Inner ear: the cochlea converts vibration into electrical signals carried by the auditory nerve.
Hearing loss can happen because sound can’t reach the inner ear properly (for example, wax, inflammation, infection), or because the nerve cells responsible for hearing are damaged (often permanent).3
The range of feline hearing
Cats hear a broader span of frequencies than humans, especially at the high end. In controlled measurements, domestic cats detect sounds from roughly 48 Hz up to about 85 kHz at typical test levels.1
That high-frequency reach helps explain why cats can notice tiny, sharp sounds—like the faint rustle and squeaks made by small prey—while humans hear nothing at all.1
Cat vs human hearing: what’s different day to day
Humans usually hear from about 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Cats overlap us at the low end, but extend much higher in frequency.1
Cats are also good at locating where a sound comes from, helped by mobile ear flaps and rapid processing—useful when something moves out of sight.2
One important correction: strong directional hearing doesn’t mean a cat can “find its way home” when lost. Cats do sometimes return, but that behaviour is not reliably explained by hearing alone, and it’s not something to count on for safety.
How cats use hearing when hunting
When a cat hunts, hearing often provides the first clue that something is nearby. The cat may pause, ears swivelling, then shift position to refine the direction before relying on vision and whisker touch at close range.
This is why some cats that are hard of hearing still hunt toys effectively indoors—other senses can compensate—yet the same cat may be vulnerable outside, where hazards arrive fast and without warning.
Common hearing problems in cats
Deafness (congenital or acquired)
Deafness may be present from birth or develop later. Congenital deafness is more common in cats with certain coat/eye colour genetics (for example, some white cats with blue eyes), though not every white, blue-eyed cat is deaf.3
Acquired hearing loss can be linked to causes such as:
- Ear canal blockage (wax, debris, polyps) or chronic inflammation (otitis externa).3
- Middle/inner ear infection (otitis media/interna).3
- Trauma or tumours affecting the ear or related nerves.3
- Ototoxic drugs (some medicines can harm hearing).3
- Age-related change (hearing often fades gradually in older cats).3
Some types of hearing loss improve if the underlying blockage or inflammation is treated, while nerve-related (sensorineural) deafness is usually permanent.3
Tinnitus
True tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing perception) is hard to confirm in cats because we can’t ask what they hear. If your cat shows persistent ear discomfort, head shaking, sudden sensitivity, or changes in balance, treat it as a medical problem worth checking promptly, rather than assuming tinnitus.
How to tell if your cat is losing hearing
Hearing loss in cats is often subtle, especially if only one ear is affected. Clues tend to show up as patterns over time:
- Sleeping through noises that used to wake them (food prep, doorbell, your voice).
- Startling when touched, especially if approached from behind.
- Not turning ears or head towards sounds, or turning the “wrong” way.
- Louder vocalising than usual (some cats meow more strongly when they can’t hear themselves).
A vet can check for treatable causes (wax, infection, inflammation). Specialised testing (such as BAER) may be used to confirm and characterise deafness, particularly when unilateral loss is suspected.4
Keeping a deaf or hard-of-hearing cat safe
The single biggest safety shift is assuming your cat can’t hear danger coming. For many cats, that means moving to an indoor-only life, or using a secure outdoor enclosure.3, 5
Practical safety habits that help
- Containment: keep your cat indoors, or provide a fully enclosed “catio”/run for outdoor time.5, 6
- Identification: microchip and keep registry details current; use an ID tag on a breakaway collar where appropriate.7
- Startle prevention: approach within their line of sight; at night, switch on a light before touching; use gentle floor vibrations (a firm foot tap) to announce yourself.8, 9
- Household routines: keep furniture layout consistent so the cat can navigate confidently.
Protecting hearing: what’s realistic
Everyday household noise (television, music, a vacuum) is unlikely to cause deafness in a healthy cat by itself, but sudden extreme noise can be harmful, and noise stress can still matter for welfare. The more practical “protection” is medical and environmental: keep ears healthy, and avoid unsafe situations where hearing would be needed to detect danger.
Do not put “ear muffs” or ear plugs on your cat unless a veterinarian has specifically advised it. Poorly fitted gear can trap moisture, irritate the ear canal, and make infections more likely.
Training and communication when hearing fades
Cats are attentive to routine, body language, and tiny changes in the environment. When hearing is limited, shift your cues to what they can reliably detect:
- Hand signals for “come”, “up”, “food”, and “stop”. Keep them consistent.
- Light cues (a lamp flicked on/off) to get attention without startling.
- Vibration cues (a gentle foot tap on the floor) to prompt them to look around.9
Reward calm attention with food, play, or a scratch under the chin. Keep sessions short. Cats learn best when the house is quiet and the request is clear.
When to see the vet soon
Book an appointment promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Sudden hearing change (over hours or days), especially with head tilt or loss of balance.
- Ear discharge, bad odour, redness, swelling, or obvious pain.
- Persistent head shaking or scratching at the ears.
- Hearing loss after starting a new medicine (don’t stop medications without veterinary advice).3
References
- Hearing range of the domestic cat (PubMed)
- Cats have an exceptional sense of hearing (Royal Canin Foundation)
- Deafness in Cats (Merck Veterinary Manual, Pet Owner Version)
- Deafness in Animals (Merck Veterinary Manual, Professional Version)
- Living with a Deaf Cat (Cat Protection Society of NSW)
- Keeping your cat safe at home (Agriculture Victoria)
- Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Cats (Agriculture Victoria)
- Caring for a Deaf Cat (Sydney Dogs and Cats Home)
- Living with a Deaf Cat (VCA Animal Hospitals)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom