Hearing Loss In One Ear
Topic 8126 | Page 1
When I was in orientation with Roehl we had a fellow with hearing loss in one ear and he passed the physical requirements of the job and I don't think he had any type of hearing assistance. Not sure the extent of his loss but when I would talk to him he would always make sure he turned his good ear toward me. I do know you have to be able to hear a forced whisper on both right and left sides to passe the physical. Hope this helps a little and best of luck to you!
Here's the information you'll need on the Hearing Exam For The DOT Physical.
When you say "most of the hearing lost" I would say that technically no, you're not supposed to pass the exam. You should be able to hear:
a "forced whisper", with or without hearing aid, from the side, from at least 5 feet away
That is exactly what it says.
I would say to be safe you'll need a hearing aid for that ear. You can try passing the exam without one but of course if you fail it's going to delay the start of your trucking career. It's also going to be an issue every time you change jobs or need to renew your DOT physical card.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
As long as you can pass with the ear you can hear out of, you will be fine. Notice the requirements state " First perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear", key words being better ear. Refer to the FMCSA examiner's handbook for a complete and more thorough explaination of the hearing requirements part of the physical. But Brett is correct in that it will always be a hassle.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
To add to this, FMCSA now issues hearing exemptions for those who cannot or might not pass the "forced whisper" test. I know of a number of drivers who are severely hard of hearing or profoundly deaf and they drive CDL interstate without any issues. I am well versed in the hearing exemption as I've helped a number of people obtain theirs and can answer questions.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I have horrible hearing in my left ear. The doctor even noticed a hole in it from a ruptured eardrum but passed my two physicals so far no problem at all.
Oh, gee. I thought Patrick was visiting us!
Oh, gee. I thought Patrick was visiting us!
No, he made this post before he lost his sanity, that's why this one post actually makes sense for the reader.
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Can a person drive a big rig with most of the hearing in one ear has been lost, and there is no money to see a specialist or get a hearing aid? Wouldn't it pose a significant safety problem on the road?