Our pets fill many roles in our lives. They are simultaneously our friends, adventure partners and furry children. When we welcome pets into our homes, we welcome all of the joy, frustration and heartbreak that accompanies them. It’s no secret that animals—looking at you, puppies—can wreak havoc on our homes and prized possessions. Often, this is harmless, but on occasion your pet might get into something that has the potential to harm them, such as hearing aids or hearing aid batteries. If you own a pet, be sure you know how to identify and treat an animal who has been exposed to toxic hearing aid components.
Cases of animals ingesting hearing aids are more common than you might realize. This is problematic, as hearing aid batteries are highly toxic to pets. If your dog or cat has eaten a hearing aid battery, they may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Red, raw appearance or white/gray coloring of the tongue
- Heavy drooling
- Vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lack of appetite, or eating very slowly/carefully
- Lethargic behavior
- Whimper or crying
When pets ingest batteries of hearing aids, the corrosive battery acid may cause damage to their insides. For this reason, it is important to seek immediate veterinary attention for your pet. The Pet Poison Hotline recommends flushing your pet’s mouth with lukewarm water for up to 20 minutes, but urges pet owners NOT to induce vomiting. Due to the destructive nature of the battery liquid, vomiting may cause additional harm to your pet’s esophagus.
If you wear listening devices and are concerned about your pet’s safety, an audiology professional will be able to provide tips on the safe storage of your devices. To schedule a consultation with one of the premier hearing aid doctors in American Fork, contact our office today. Our patient-focused staff provides a range of hearing and balance services, including custom hearing protection products, advanced diagnostics and treatments, and the distribution of the industry’s best hearing aids. Schedule a consultation today at 801-763-0724.
