these are 2 subjects I know well
 
of our personal 10 ferrets we have 2 confirmed deaf and 2 most likely hard
of hearing.
 
One thing that made us suspect deafness in Bear and later Angel was they
were jumpier when you walked down the hall at them.  We'd call there names
make sure we made plenty of noise so they would know we were there but the
would bark in fear and run like they didn't know we were there.  We have
also used a squeeky toy out of site but near their ears and they wouldn't
turn to look like all the others would.
 
Hard of hearing we suspect in 2 others they don't wake up with everyone else
when the door to their room gets opened or even when we call loudly to
everyone to wakeup.  Also clapping behind them when they were miss behaving
to get their attention nothing.
 
they don't need to be treated too much different but what has seemed to help
ours is we constantly will reach down and grab them to hold them they get
use to it and don't jump as much or try to bite.
 
Disappearing mask
we experienced the disappearing mask trick done by Tamara.  it slowly
started disappearing and then when she escaped one day to the great outdoors
she ended up being outside for 24hrs in the rain and cold.  anyways when I
found her the next day underneath the neighbors shed I almost didn't
recognize her since she didn't have her mask anymore her face was all white
to her ears other then eyeliner.  It's now coming back it looks like she has
dirt on her snoz.
 
Shanon and the Den of Thieves
[Posted in FML issue 1627]