Hearing loss after surgery

[candyshandy]

I've just spoken to the vet and the reason for the loss of hearing is due to the fact that her middle ear has been packed with fluid.  Also, her hearing was poor to start with so by adding the fluid and having her daily ear wash and drops she has lost 20 decibels.  She is due back for a checkup next week and the vet is hopeful that once the course of medication is complete her (limited) hearing will return.

She is more concerned with the left ear as it was already ruptured with no known cause.....she believes that she may have had an untreated ear infection a long time ago and this has caused the disease.

[sheryl]

My Mums cat has got polyps in both ears but her vets wont remove them because they have said that it will cause deafness, I hope your little one is better soon xxx

[Desley (booktigger)]

Fingers crossed for her CS

[candyshandy]

Thanks I was struggling to find anything on the web 

[Millys Mum]

http://petsurgery.com/surgeryoftheear.html its mainly a dog link but mentions cats   

[candyshandy]

Thanks.

My gut feeling is that it will heal in time but going to call the hospital to confirm.

Luckily all my lot are indoor anyway so no probs there 

[blackcat]

I am afraid I don't know enough about this but I would have thought if the eardrum is ruptured it will cause deafness, because hearing is the result of the vibrations of the eardrum being passed through the bones of the ear into the nervous system. It is possible it may heal as ruptured eardrums in children seem to when they get really bad earache, but I don't know if that happens with cats. You need to talk to your vet about it. The loud meowing is definitely a response to not being able ot hear herself talk ... Do keep her indoors until you know what is happening - a deaf cat is very vulnerable outside.

[candyshandy]

Foofoo had an ear polyp removed last week and whikst she was under they also found her other eardrum was ruptured 

I believe to remove the polyp they have to pierce the ear drum.

Since the surgery I haven't seen any evidence that she can hear anything and she is miaowing a lot louder than normal.

I'm going to call the hospital tomorrow but thought I'd see if anyone here had any thoughts whether this hearing loss is normal and temporary (hopefully, fingers crossed!)

Thanks