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Q&A
What are the hearing requirements for a DOT physical?
Can I get a DOT medical card if I use a hearing aid?
What are the hearing requirements for a DOT physical?
The driver must be able to 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 the driver fails the whisper test, the medical examiner will refer the driver to have an audiometry test. The driver must pass an audiometer test before the medical certificate can be considered.
I’m a CDL driver and my concern is I’m getting hard of hearing as I get older. If I’m unable to hear a whisper at 5 feet, will I be unable to drive a commercial vehicle? Is there a waiver I need to get? What do I need to do that will allow me to continue driving?
All you will need to do is get hearing aids and the examiner will indicate you need to wear your hearing aids to pass the DOT examination. This does not place a time restriction or limitation on your DOT certificate and you won’t need an exemption.
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.
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I am 35 years old and have a commercial driver licence. I was born with only one ear (left) and am hearing fine. My concern is if I can drive a commercial vehicle.
You will be fine as long as you can perceive a forced whisper at 5 feet in your good ear.
On the whisper test i could hear the doc but could not repeat what she was saying. She had a heavy accent. My question is do i just have to hear her whisper or do i have to be able to repeat what shes whispering.
@Michael
You need to hear and comprehend what is being said. Unfortunately most women have a higher pitch than men and it is a bit more difficult to fully understand what they are saying. See if you can have them repeat in a little deeper voice, that would be a big help.
Can you please provide a DOT definition of “perceives”, “forced whisper”, and “average hearing loss”?
Thanks
@Steve
You need to hear and comprehend what is being said. Unfortunately most women have a higher pitch than men and it is a bit more difficult to fully understand what they are saying. See if you can have them repeat in a little deeper voice, that would be a big help.
I disagree with this answer. The rules states “perceive a forced whisper” not “perceive a forced whisper and comprehend the word being whispered”
An audiometric hearing test does not expect a CMV driver to comprehend what the tone means, and by the same token, neither should a forced whisper test. Adding progressivly stricter and stricter definitions to the word “perceive” is a typical form of age descrimination.
Can you still pass a dot physical of you are be treated for an ear infection / ruptured tymphanic membrane?
@Ian
Once you have healed from the injury/infection, you should be OK.
My husband has the understanding that if he gets tubes in his ears it will make him unable to drive a school bus anymore. Is this true? If so, why? It will help his hearing, and won’t negatively affect him in any other way that I’m aware of.
@ Chrissy P
We believe he has been misinformed about his situation and how it effects his cdl.
Can a driver have a dead ear in one ear and essentially normal hearing in the other and still satisfy the DOT requirements. Also does a CROS/BICOS hearing aid system satisfy DOT requiement for this type of hearing loss.
@David
One good ear is all that is required to hear a forced whisper at 5 feet. Hearing aids are also acceptable, if needed.
Hello: I have a Texas CDL and I work for a School District and I have had an extensive Hearing Test Performed in 2012, I received Hearing Aides. But they have short circuited from sweating profusely so am no longer able to wear them, would this be a Safety Issue for my District? I have 75% Hearing Loss in one Ear and 50% loss in the other ear. I work around loud noises all day every day. I am concerned as to whether or not I am safely transporting children to and from the Schools without them. I live in Texas
@Ralph
DOT is going to be looking for a hearing test that allows you to hear a forced whisper at 5 feet. Now that can be with or without hearing aids.
If you need hearing aids to pass the test, then it should be mandatory for you to use them when transporting children. But each state is different and if you are only driving school bus and do not have a class A drivers license, then your best bet is to check with your local drivers license department and see what your state rules regarding hearing are.
I passed the 5ft forced whisper test. The examiner signed my new certification card, but will not give mre the certificate until I produce the results of my hearing test with hearing aids in. Is this legal?
@Mark
If you passed the whisper test, then why would you be restricted to produce a new hearing test? But if the CME feels the need to have you tested for further information, then he has the right to do so.
The 5 whisper is not valid test, hearing doctor said how do you know 40 decibl each person talk different levels and they aren’t in sound proof booth. How do you gage whisper at that sound level. You can’t not valid hearing test , most wont pass with hearing aids in . Not sound proof and each person talks at diff. Highs and lows, same even whispers. No one can gage it at 40 decibl. This is bad test I know 20 years truck driving. Hearing aids 10 years driving semi. Never did I pass 5 feet whisper .test. always hearing doctor test.. booth..take that test with you to do dot. Clinic show you passed with hearing aid . no 5 feet test Read people it says and, or. Hearing doctor or 5 feet not both one or the other you give that to clinic they dont do the 5 feet whisper you got your test from hearing doctor they send that in with dot long form . No waiting you are good.. read on hearing test “or ” you pass one dont do both for hearing test read carefully. See, and or not both.