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Presenter: Peter M. Skip Scheifele, PhD

CEUs: 0.1 AAA

Duration: 60 minutes

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Program Focus: Knowledge

Description:

Constant noise can have physiological and psychological effects in several nonhuman species. However, few investigations have focused specifically on the deleterious effects of environmental noise on the auditory system in dogs. Whether constant noise can affect dogs, particularly working dogs that are relied upon for their enhanced sensory capabilities (e.g. those used in military and law enforcement operations or search and rescue), is important to determine and the conditions or environments that can impair these sensory capabilities need to be well understood.

As a result of the number of cases of congenital deafness in dogs, the veterinary and breeding communities have made an extensive effort to have puppies undergo auditory screening between the ages of five (5) to eight (8) weeks of age. The only acceptable audiological test for determining baseline hearing acuity is the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test. BAER testing also can be used in diagnostic situations and as a baseline for establishing hearing acuity in dogs.

Moreover, although the BAER electrophysiological test is objective in its output (waveforms) the establishment of which peak on the resultant waveforms is subjective with the possible exception of Wave-V and the subsequent trough (VT) of Wave-V. This routine technique has been used with humans since 1967 and slowly introduced into the animal industry since the 1980s.

Outside of congenital deafness, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a big factor in kenneled dogs, those transported in trucks and in helicopters and when exposed to gunfire and explosives. Most occupied kennels may have peak noise at 110 dB SPL and even require hearing protection of the handlers upon entering. The consequence of NIHL in any working dogs is a failure of the dog to properly behave to voice commands and to miss critical acoustic cues while working.

Learning Outcomes:  

1. Understand what animal audiology entails.
2. Know what specific audiological tests are run on canines.
3. Know what the OFA and AKC standards are for canine audiology.

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Details

Date:
May 16, 2024
Time:
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

Venue

Virtual

Presenter: Peter M. Skip Scheifele, PhD

CEUs: 0.1 AAA

Duration: 60 minutes

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Program Focus: Knowledge

Description:

Constant noise can have physiological and psychological effects in several nonhuman species. However, few investigations have focused specifically on the deleterious effects of environmental noise on the auditory system in dogs. Whether constant noise can affect dogs, particularly working dogs that are relied upon for their enhanced sensory capabilities (e.g. those used in military and law enforcement operations or search and rescue), is important to determine and the conditions or environments that can impair these sensory capabilities need to be well understood.

As a result of the number of cases of congenital deafness in dogs, the veterinary and breeding communities have made an extensive effort to have puppies undergo auditory screening between the ages of five (5) to eight (8) weeks of age. The only acceptable audiological test for determining baseline hearing acuity is the brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test. BAER testing also can be used in diagnostic situations and as a baseline for establishing hearing acuity in dogs.

Moreover, although the BAER electrophysiological test is objective in its output (waveforms) the establishment of which peak on the resultant waveforms is subjective with the possible exception of Wave-V and the subsequent trough (VT) of Wave-V. This routine technique has been used with humans since 1967 and slowly introduced into the animal industry since the 1980s.

Outside of congenital deafness, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a big factor in kenneled dogs, those transported in trucks and in helicopters and when exposed to gunfire and explosives. Most occupied kennels may have peak noise at 110 dB SPL and even require hearing protection of the handlers upon entering. The consequence of NIHL in any working dogs is a failure of the dog to properly behave to voice commands and to miss critical acoustic cues while working.

Learning Outcomes:  

1. Understand what animal audiology entails.
2. Know what specific audiological tests are run on canines.
3. Know what the OFA and AKC standards are for canine audiology.

REGISTER NOW