Is Winston deaf?

[Larrymom]

Hello,

So I originally thought that maybe Winston was just ignorant, however I've noticed some things. Over the past few days he's come more out of his shell and sometimes I'll go over to his cage and I'll be saying his name and he won't look at me and then all of a sudden he'll see me and run around excited.
This morning for example, it was 5am, a time I never usually see, and I looked in his cage and there he was, I said hey baby, hey Winnie over and over again and then I opened up the cage and put my hand in and he ran over and started doing laps off his cage and showing me how he runs on his wheel. It's as though he can't hear me and he'll just ignore me until he sees me and then he'll get excited.
Is there a way of checking or am I just being paranoid and he's just ignorant. Ha.

Also, because I got him from P@H when he was an apparent 'chinese female' I can't ring them to check and they gave me the wrong personality/health attributes.

[Penguin]

Hmm could sound like he might be deaf. Try seeing if you can wake him up with sounds? Snapping your fingers, talking in a high pitched voice or something like that. You might want to test it on Larry as well. My hamster and my mum's and sister's all react even if they are sleeping. If you get no reaction what so ever I would assume he is deaf or has a hearing loss at the very least - but I'm not a professional

[Larrymom]

Thanks, I'll try these. Trust me Larry isn't deaf. He can hear me coming from a mile away, I'll come in to my room and he'll dash out of his house hoping I have something for him.

[DrKMcK]

Hi Larrymom. When Winston's back is to you, click your tongue, snap your fingers, or clap your hands sharply. Winston should react to that. It would be important to know for sure, since if he really is deaf you'll need to get his attention through vibrations rather than sound. Tapping on the cage or floor would be how you would call him. If Winston is deaf it really shouldn't matter in regard to his quality of life. He should still be a happy ham anyway.

[Erin.R]

If you make a high pitch kind of kissy noise that always works I think. This is how I figured out my boys is deaf. I have an eyeless white that cannot hear but as soon as I walk in the room she knows I am there, I think she feels the vibrations from me walking towards her. To get her attention I blow very lightly on her so she knows I am there. I have also heard its a good thing to wear one type of perfume around a deaf hamster and thats how they know you are around. I agree with DrKMcK they can still lead a great life, even my sweet little Wendy (eyeless white) has a life she seems to really enjoy.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Larrymom

Thanks, I'll try these. Trust me Larry isn't deaf. He can hear me coming from a mile away, I'll come in to my room and he'll dash out of his house hoping I have something for him.

I'm positive Larry isnt deaf, it was just to make sure that it would work on a hamster that wasnt deaf - but if he comes running as soon as you enter the room then it would be difficult to test ahaha

DrkMck and Erin has great points too!

[Larrymom]

Originally Posted by Penguin

I'm positive Larry isnt deaf, it was just to make sure that it would work on a hamster that wasnt deaf - but if he comes running as soon as you enter the room then it would be difficult to test ahaha

DrkMck and Erin has great points too!

Ahh I know. Larry gets so excited whenever he hears me! He sometimes doesn't come out but I think that's when he's in a really deep sleep.

I tried the test on both Larry and Winston. Larry was in his house and didn't come out so I stood outside his cage and said Larry in the highest voice possible. He ran straight out and jumped up with excitement. I tried with Winston to get nothing. I waited until he was awake, stood outside his cage and said Winston at different tone levels, eventually, the highest I could possible go made him jump so I do think there's a chance he's not 100% deaf but his hearing isn't that great. A little later, I had my room dark with my phone on the lowest lighting so I could see him and he was digging, I said Winston, Winston, Winston for him to not turn around. I opened his cage and clicked about his head he did nothing. I then said it again the highest I could and he turned around. At this point, Larry was just watching me from the cage next to him like I was a crazy woman!


Erin.R - I will try this and see if it works. He used to be able to hear me I think so I'm really not sure!
I blew on him lightly once when he was being naughty and he jumped up and hid so I get a little scared to do this.

DrKMcK - You should have seen me last night! I was clapping my hands, snapping my fingers. I looked very silly. The thing is I do tap my hands on the cage floor and rustle with bedding so that's another reason for me to thing he's just being ignorant. Over the next couple of days I'll keep trying all these things and see if there's progress.


Thanks guys! I'll keep you all updated.

[Larrymom]

Hello!
So Winston isn't deaf after all, he's just very ignorant! I stood outside his cage earlier making kissing noises and he ran out of his tube and looked through the glass and then I opened the cage, walked away, waited until he was busy and clicked my fingers above him and he looked! Sneaky little thing.

[Penguin]

Hmm to me it could still sound like there is some sort of hearing loss. I'm not an expert by any means though!
I do find it odd that he doesn't seem to react to normal sounds though. I would probably be a bit careful not to scare him - but I'm such a chicken as well! If I scare my hammy I feel so bad afterwards haha

I'm sure Larry enjoyed the show, pretty sure he hasn't seen you like that before hahaha

[Larrymom]

Hello!

I'm still a little concerned. I think he does have some selective hearing. I was hoovering before and he was asleep in the middle of his cage because it's hot and he didn't even move. Larry came charging out of his house staring at me to shut up.