Comments By David Z.

Thank you , is there anyway to confirm this ? My hearing loss is just below the 40 so I don’t think I’d pass I just had a test at my hearing dr . Would you suggest calling the dot testing place where I will go for the physical and ask ? I don’t want to put out the 75.00 multiple times

I would think beforehand you will need to get the hearing aids. If this hearing deficiency can be corrected with these, you won’t need a waiver. If you cannot pass the physical, all parts, you may get a short-term certification of some period under a year, but for your problem, I doubt it.

Typically - a failure that can be corrected (hearing aids, eyeglasses, BP, etc,) will sometimes be given a ONE TIME 90 Day Med Card - and return with the condition CORRECTED within the 90 days. At that point, a full card will be issued. Certain conditions (BP for example) require a ONE YEAR CARD for continued monitoring - others (Vision, etc.) will get a full 2 year card.

Keep in mind - if you need glasses, hearing aids - this will ALSO NEED TO BE NOTED ON YOUR LICENSE - and you will need to be USING THESE WHEN DRIVING.

I wore contacts for years (before my lasic) and never told the DMV (pre-CDL), so I didn't have the "corrective lenses restriction" on my DL.

The "whisper test" used by DOT Med Examiners can be "subjective" at best. A FULL HEARING SCREEN will demonstrate whether or not you can pass a DOT Med with or without hearing aids.

Can I get a DOT medical card if I use a hearing aid? Yes, as long as you can perceive a forced whispered voice in one ear, the better ear, at not less than five feet with or without the use of a hearing aid. If you use a hearing aid for the DOT physical, then you must wear that hearing aid and have it in operation at all times while driving. Also, you must be in possession of a spare power source for the hearing aid while driving.

From FMCSA regarding audiometric hearing tests:

What are the hearing requirements for CMV drivers? A person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person: First perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than five feet with or without the use of a hearing aid or if tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500Hz, 1000HZ and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to the American National Standard Z24.5-1951.

So you CAN GET a hearing test - and if your loss is LESS THAN the 40dB specified, you can still get a medical card WITHOUT HEARING AIDS. Otherwise, you WILL NEED THEM - and, if you get pulled over, you will have to be WEARING THEM AND HAVE SPARE BATTERIES ON HAND.

Rick

Thank you

I would think beforehand you will need to get the hearing aids. If this hearing deficiency can be corrected with these, you won’t need a waiver. If you cannot pass the physical, all parts, you may get a short-term certification of some period under a year, but for your problem, I doubt it.

Hello I’m looking to obtain my class A . I have mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears I can not pass the whisper test without hearing aids . I told my recruiter about the hearing problem he didn’t seem too concerned . My question is will I be able to obtain a temporary cdl while I apply for a waiver or get hearing aides ? Is there anyway around this ? drs who don’t do it ? Any help will be greatly appreciated