Ear protection for dogs: what a study on MRI stress measures
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Does hearing protection actually change anything about the stress a dog experiences from loud, prolonged noise? A German study offers a measured answer thanks to a particularly noisy setting: the MRI scanner. The rest of our anti-stress accessory picks are gathered in the dog accessories section.
Contents · 5 sections
Salivary cortisol as a marker
Maike Schroers, Yury Zablotski and Andrea Meyer-Lindenberg published, in 2024 in the journal PLOS ONE, a study measuring salivary cortisol and vasopressin in dogs before and after an MRI examination, with or without hearing protection worn during the scan (see the study). The dogs were under anaesthesia or sedation during the scan, as is standard practice for veterinary MRI.
A cortisol rise avoided with protection
In dogs without hearing protection, salivary cortisol concentration rose markedly between before and after the scan. In dogs fitted with hearing protection, that rise was not observed: the concentration stayed stable (a statistically significant difference, p < 0.05). MRI machine noise, which can exceed 100 decibels depending on the sequence, therefore appears to be a measurable stressor, one that simple hearing protection can blunt.
What this study does not show
It covers anaesthetised dogs in an MRI setting, not awake dogs exposed to fireworks, a thunderstorm or an airport: the stress mechanism differs depending on whether the animal is consciously aware of its fear. It also does not compare different hearing-protection models against each other, nor their effect on long-term hearing sensitivity. It therefore cannot show that hearing protection alone is enough to calm an awake dog frightened by noise.
What it changes day to day
- Ask for hearing protection before an MRI or any procedure under anaesthesia in a noisy setting: it is a simple step, and this study gives it a measurable benefit.
- Do not expect the same effect in an awake, panicking dog during a thunderstorm or fireworks: reducing the noise alone does not address the emotional side of the fear, unlike pairing it with an anxiety vest or behavioural support.
- Get the dog used to the item outside of any stressful context, following the same principle as for any equipment worn on the head, before using it in a real situation.
- Combine approaches for a dog afraid of loud noises: our guide on dogs afraid of fireworks and thunderstorms covers complementary solutions.
Frequently asked questions
Does hearing protection also work against fireworks?
This study does not show that: it covers anaesthetised dogs undergoing an MRI, a very different situation from an awake dog frightened by an unpredictable noise.
Why does MRI noise stress dogs so much?
The machine produces repeated banging and intense noise for several minutes, a measurable stressor even in a sedated animal according to this study.
Should hearing protection always be requested from the vet?
This study gives it a measurable benefit for MRI scans; it is not unreasonable to ask about it when booking the appointment. Find all our guides on the dog hub.
In our shop, for this use: Evaporative cooling vest for dogs, with lead ring (€35.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.