Noise Anxiety In Dogs? Try CrittEar Dog Ear Plugs

It may be hard to believe but noise anxiety in dogs is a prevalent issue. A recent study found that 32% of dogs have noise anxiety (source). Frankly, we feel that even if that number was reduced to 1% that it would be too many. Anxiety is real - and just like in humans, for dogs noise anxiety can be devastating.

What Causes Noise Anxiety For Dogs?

It’s interesting to note that noise phobia in dogs is not limited to a specific breed, size, or sex of a dog. Basically, it’s an excessive fear of a sound that results in a dog attempting to escape from the sound. While it may seem irrational to us, as we understand that the noise poses no danger, nonetheless a dog can develop a persistent fear at any stage in their life. While there are two main triggers for noise fear in dogs, fireworks and thunderstorms, dogs can develop a fear of any sound no matter how inconsequential - a door creaking upon closing.

Signs Your Dog May Have Noise Anxiety

Depression
Destructive Behavior
Drooling
Excessive Barking
Fear/Aggression
Pacing
Panting
Restlessness
Repetitive/Compulsive Behaviors
Urinating/Defecating in the House

One, all, or a combination of these behaviors can signal that your dog may have a fear of noises. Once the behavior becomes recurrent, then your dog has most likely developed an associated anxiety to the noise. This is one of the reasons that it’s good to pay attention to your dog’s reactions to noise. Early indicators can be things we may overlook - like pacing or panting.

Dealing With Noise Anxiety In Dogs

At its core, noise anxiety is anxiety. This means that for whatever reason, 32% of dogs have an Intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about noise. Anxiety in general has negative physical impacts including a sped up heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, sweating, and with repeated exposure, some dogs will experience fatigue. The physiological result: noise anxiety can be devastating to your dog’s health.

CrittEar® Patented In-Ear Hearing Protection & Dog Earplugs

We nearly fell out of our chairs when we discovered CrittEar! So obvious the solution for a dog’s noise anxiety - and yet it hadn’t been done before. Unlike over-ear hearing protection, CrittEar is made of pliable and flexible CertiPur-US approved foam that molds to your dog’s ear canal - thereby creating a protective sound barrier for your dog.

CertiPUR-US certified foams are made without ozone depleters Made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (”Tris”) flame retardants Made without mercury, lead, and other heavy metals Made without formaldehyde Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Meet Susan Hansen, The Developer and Owner of CrittEar

Susan Hansen, the mad (or should we say brilliant) genius extraordinaire behind CrittEar has a professional background in audiology. Having developed human hearing protection and anti-anxiety earplugs as a career, including for hunters, shooters, and autistic children, Hansen is dedicated to the protection of hearing.

"Over the last few years I began to notice that my senior Golden Retriever had become more sensitive to sounds and loud noises. I tried everything I could get my hands on to help him, but nothing worked. I felt helpless – and just wanted my dog to feel calm." Susan Hansen, CEO and Owner, CrittEar

Thus, Hansen culled her expertise and dove right in to create CrittEar - and she’s never looked back. Helping canines maintain their hearing and pet parents successfully manage their dog’s noise anxiety has been her primary focus since 2018.

How CrittEar Helps Dogs Beyond Noise Anxiety

Through her research and development Hansen set out to make sure that her patented canine earplugs were able to help in numerous situations that dogs may find unnerving or noisy. These include:

Grooming
Travel
Fireworks
Hunting
Thunderstorms
Music Events
Vet Visits

"Our products come in handy simply to protect dog’s hearing. People may not realize how loud everyday noises are to a dog’s sensitive hearing. Music, lawn care, hammering and everyday home repair, all of these things occur far too loudly for dogs. Our unique CrittEar Calm dog earplugs minimize hearing damage that can be done in these, normal to us, situations." Susan Hansen, CrittEar

Therapy and Service Dogs

Hansen has a special place in her heart for these special dogs who selflessly help people navigate through the world. Therapy and service dogs have to work a great deal of the day, and this puts them in places where noise is a constant: grocery stores, office buildings, hospitals, concerts, movie theaters, etc. CrittEar protects therapy and service dogs hearing while allowing them to communicate with their person.

No More Noise Anxiety and No More Noise Problems

Thanks to CrittEar, and Hansen, dogs no longer have to lose their hearing due to high noise levels. And dogs no longer have to fear thunderstorms and fireworks - and the best thing is that it’s all drug free! No more need to sedate your dog to get them through the dreaded July 4th and New Years Eve festivities. Just follow the instructions on CrittEar, and just like their tag line says “dog’s can’t fear what they can’t hear!”