Hearing compromised because of loud vacuum noise

[Econstantino2011]

My 3 yr old Alvin the squirrel has not been the same since my boyfriend turned on his wet vacuum that had a very loud noise. The vacuum noise was on for 1 minute and my baby boy went frenzied! He hasn’t been the same playful little fella ever since. He’s scared and just want to sleep and stay by himself a lot. I’m sad and worried he’s going into depression. Do you think he’s hearing was damaged? It’s been more than a week since this happened and I just keep waiting for him to come back to his playful self but it’s not happening. What should I do? Please HELP!

[TubeDriver]

It sounds like he was terrified and remains fearful. I would try to spend some quiet time near him. Maybe stay near his cage but let him approach you on his terms. Have treats ready for him if he approaches you. It might take some time for him to recover his sense of trust.

You mention that he went into a "frenzy". Is it possible that he got so worked up that he had a seizure?

[Charley Chuckles]

I had a squirrel actually go into a seizure from the vacuum noise, he had never had seizures before or after, this was my beloved Charley Chuckles. After that day I swear I never used a vacuum again while he was alive🙄
I found a quieter vac now and use with my kids but I always go around and say "ZOOM ZOOM, MOMMY VACUUMING " before I turn it on. I also have a vitamix blender that is so noisy I'm afraid to use.
Unless you can move your baby to an outside cage while you use a wet vac, I wouldn't use it again.

I agree with TubeDriver, take quiet time with Alvin, I would also take him his favorite treats, to his heart through his stomach 😉
I'm sure this will pass, squirrels get upset and they dont forget. I trimmed Conker's nails last week, I normally do not but they were getting stuck in EVERYTHING I was afraid he would rip a toe off. Anyway boy did I get the COLD SHOULDER for several days 😒 but he's back to his cuddly self.
Keep us posted and just do a lot of sucking up 🤭

[Econstantino2011]

It sounds like he was terrified and remains fearful. I would try to spend some quiet time near him. Maybe stay near his cage but let him approach you on his terms. Have treats ready for him if he approaches you. It might take some time for him to recover his sense of trust.

You mention that he went into a "frenzy". Is it possible that he got so worked up that he had a seizure?

Hi and thx for your response. No he didn’t have seizures but he ran up and under and sideways around the bed like crazy scared! And that was actually 2 weeks ago my boyfriend said and he’s still fearful to this day. Should I take him to the vet to have his ears checked?

[TubeDriver]

I don't think his ears would be damaged by vacuum noise. Even he he had some permanent hearing loss from this sound, there is nothing your vet could do about it. But, I highly doubt his ears have been significantly harmed.



Hi and thx for your response. No he didn’t have seizures but he ran up and under and sideways around the bed like crazy scared! And that was actually 2 weeks ago my boyfriend said and he’s still fearful to this day. Should I take him to the vet to have his ears checked?

[Econstantino2011]

I had a squirrel actually go into a seizure from the vacuum noise, he had never had seizures before or after, this was my beloved Charley Chuckles. After that day I swear I never used a vacuum again while he was alive🙄
I found a quieter vac now and use with my kids but I always go around and say "ZOOM ZOOM, MOMMY VACUUMING " before I turn it on. I also have a vitamix blender that is so noisy I'm afraid to use.
Unless you can move your baby to an outside cage while you use a wet vac, I wouldn't use it again.

I agree with TubeDriver, take quiet time with Alvin, I would also take him his favorite treats, to his heart through his stomach 😉
I'm sure this will pass, squirrels get upset and they dont forget. I trimmed Conker's nails last week, I normally do not but they were getting stuck in EVERYTHING I was afraid he would rip a toe off. Anyway boy did I get the COLD SHOULDER for several days 😒 but he's back to his cuddly self.
Keep us posted and just do a lot of sucking up 🤭

Hi Charley, thx for your reply. Oh I’m sorry for Charley😔. No he didn’t have a seizure but he was on our bed at that time and he just went crazy wild, running up and around and sideways! I felt so bad! So you don’t think it damaged his hearing from the loud sound? It is a wet vacuum that sucks up water from toilets not just a regular house vacuum. You think it’s just fear that he hasn’t overcome yet? You don’t think it compromised his ear drums?

[Charley Chuckles]

Hi Charley, thx for your reply. Oh I’m sorry for Charley😔. No he didn’t have a seizure but he was on our bed at that time and he just went crazy wild, running up and around and sideways! I felt so bad! So you don’t think it damaged his hearing from the loud sound? It is a wet vacuum that sucks up water from toilets not just a regular house vacuum. You think it’s just fear that he hasn’t overcome yet? You don’t think it compromised his ear drums?

Like TubeDriver said I really doubt his hearing would be permanently damaged.
I think he was just FREAKED out, once they have a scare it can take time to get them back to normal.
You will have to win his trust back, possibly by allowing him time to come to you.
Maybe put his favorite food close to him but far enough he will have to come out for it and just give him time :grouphug

[Econstantino2011]

I don't think his ears would be damaged by vacuum noise. Even he he had some permanent hearing loss from this sound, there is nothing your vet could do about it. But, I highly doubt his ears have been significantly harmed.

It is an industrial type wet vacuum my boyfriend was vacuuming the water out of the toilet so that he could replace it. I just wanted some answers from the vet, but you’re right if his ear drums have been harmed, vet can’t do anything about it. I made an appointment fir March 5th but it might just be a waste of money do I’ll probly cancel it

[Charley Chuckles]

It is an industrial type wet vacuum my boyfriend was vacuuming the water out of the toilet so that he could replace it. I just wanted some answers from the vet, but you’re right if his ear drums have been harmed, vet can’t do anything about it. I made an appointment fir March 5th but it might just be a waste of money do I’ll probly cancel it

IMHO I would not take him to a vet, at least not now.
A) He already is traumatized from the event.
B) They would most likely have to put him under to check him, that in itself is dangerous to a squirrel.
I do understand when it's necessary to have them examined you have no choice, but in his situation I find it could cause more harm than good.
C) In the rare case his hearing was damaged, what would they be able to do?

I truly understand what your going through, and you want Alvin back to being Alvin.... squirrels pick up on our vibes good or bad and when we panic they panic.
Best thing you can do is treat him like this didn't happen and see if he will come out of this soon.

I'm a fine one for giving this advice as I ALWAYS FREAK OUT so... do as I say, Not as I do 😬

SRAY CALM AND HUG A SQUIRREL 🐿
Prayers going out to darling Alvin 🙏

[TubeDriver]

I don't think a vet visit would be helpful and they can traumatize squirrels in some cases too. No one can fix hearing damage due to loud noise (In humans or animals) so it really not worth the trip. Just give your little guy some time to mellow out again and hopefully he will forget about the vacuum.