[Deafness in the dog and cat: aetiology, diagnostics and treatment]

Deafness is one of the most common sensory deficits in cats and dogs. Determining the scope and the cause of deafness is important for a possible therapy and can enable the handling of the animal by its owner as well as influence the decision about breeding with the affected animal. Electrodiagnostic testing using the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) enables an objective evaluation of the hearing function. Additionally, otoscopy and various diagnostic imaging techniques, including computed tomography, can help in determining the cause of deafness. While conductive deafness can often be treated, there is normally no satisfactory treatment for sensorineural deafness. In such cases, an important task of the attending veterinarian is to advise the owner on handling his/her animal.