Recently, I went on a trip to visit friends with Baby James and hit the road with my Apple music playlist all set. Jimmy took quite some time to settle (actually sit down) and it didn’t strike till I was 30 minutes into my beltiing that I realized he was simply uncomfortable. This event and the often increased noise throughout the holidays inspired this article, so tune in.
We know dogs experience the world through incredibly sensitive ears — far more attuned to pitch, frequency, and sudden noise than we are.
Everyday sounds in our homes and cars can feel overwhelming to them, making it important to create environments that support calm and comfort. Like us, how loud a noise is, how close you are to it, and how long you listen to it all contribute to hearing loss.
Why Noise Levels Matter
Dogs can hear frequencies nearly twice as high as humans, which means normal household sounds can be surprisingly intense. For example, humans hear down to 0 decibels while dogs can hear sounds down to -15 decibels. Sounds over 85 decibels are considered damaging for us. For perspective, below are a few examples of daily sounds:
– Alarm Clock 70 dB
– City Traffic 85 dB
– Gunshot 140 dB
– Lawn Mower 95 dB
– Listening w/ headphones 100 dB
– Nearby Thunder 120 dB
– Normal Conversaton 60 dB
Loud TVs, appliances, construction noise, and traffic can all contribute to stress. Dogs may show discomfort through trembling, pacing, panting, hiding, barking, or pinned-back ears. Every dog’s tolerance is different, but most benefit from a quieter, more predictable sound environment.
The Power of Music
Music can be a powerful tool for soothing dogs. Studies show that classical music, soft rock, and reggae can help reduce stress-related behaviors and promote relaxation. Gentle music can calm anxious pups during crate time, help with separation anxiety, mask scary sounds. At home, ask your Alexa app to play Jazz for Pets, Meditation Music for Pets, Classical for Pets, Calming Music for Dogs, among others.
Music in the Car
Car rides create their own sound challenges — engine vibrations, traffic, sudden honks, or fast-moving noise. Playing soft, calming music can help dogs relax, making travel safer and more enjoyable for both of you. Just remember to keep the volume low since your dog’s ears are close to speakers.
Creating a Sound-Safe Space
Small adjustments make a big difference. Keep TVs and music at moderate levels, provide a quiet retreat area, and use white noise or calming playlists when household activity gets loud. For puppies, gradually introducing everyday sounds helps build confidence and prevent noise-related anxiety later on.
By being mindful of the soundscapes around us as well as our dogs behavior we can help our dogs feel safe, relaxed, and more at ease — at home and on the road. If your dog is coming less when called, doesn’t notice you entering a room, doesn’t respond to a doorbell, barking dog on a walk he can’t see, it’s time to see a vet. While age, ear infections, inflammation, and heredity may all be factors in hearing loss, we can limit other impacts in our control that can lead to physical damage to our dog’s sensitive ear structures.
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