Please read through the Q&A before posting a question. This will help everyone to not have duplicate questions. Thank you!
If you still can’t find a related answer, then you are welcome to ask your question in the comments section below.
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.
Can’t Find An Answer For Your Question?
If you have a question that you feel has not been answered, scroll down to the Questions and Comments box and post your question.
- Before posting, please make sure you are on the appropriate Category page, so that relevant questions and answers can be found by other drivers too.
- To save us all from zombie spammers, your question will not appear on this page until it has been approved.
- Trucker Docs™ will answer your question as soon as possible.
- Visit this page again soon to see our response.
P.S. Your email address will not be published.
Your comments are also welcome.
Regular nurses that give tests, are not specicalist, doctors want you to fail, because they all sell aids. even if the place you go to, is not a regular business, they still sell aids on the side. The clinic that you’ve gone to, might not even no that they are selling aids on the side.
Have had my CDL for 38 years, 35 years accident & ticket free so, went to California DMV to turn in my physical. Missing 4 fingers, two on each hand and been driving this way for many years but, I still was nervous about Doctor clearing me. I was able to pass his hand use test. Have also started wearing hearing aid for the last year just to help me hear better not because I am death. Passed the whisper test at 8 ft. Doctor passed me with no limitations for 2 years, but DMV decided they know better than the DOT Doctor and are mandating that I take a driving test. No not for missing half my fingers but for wearing hearing aids even though my Doctor passed me. This DMV here in California has decided I need to drive with a qualified tester around town hoping to find a first responder with sirens going or a train crossing to see if I can hear it. I asked and purposely clarified it wasn’t my missing fingers or my eye glasses I wear, and they said no. its strictly because they must add hearing aids to my license requirement like my glasses I must wear and, if I pass this driving test they will not allow me to drive out of state and requalify every year. How can a ride along tester possibly know more than a Physician when it comes to site or hearing? I could have understood the drive test for the missing fingers maybe but hearing? Any suggestions on how to avoid this test drive? I am not presently employed so I have no vehicle to test in and was just looking to find a part time job shuttling trucks around to earn money for this crummy unaffordable health care system we have.
@ William B H
Welcome to the republic of Calif. It seems to be a state thing and not FMCSA, so we have no guidance to lend here.
Why do people still say “DEATH” when they mean “DEAF”???
Can you keep your cal with a cochlear implant
@ George
As long as it allows for proper hearing and raises no safety risk, you should be fine.
I drive for adm trucking. I have cochlear implants and passed dot physical.. it all good.
My husband got tested and needs a hearing aid but it’s gonna take some time to get a referral to a specialist my question is if he can just go buy a hearing aid himself and get tested? He already paid the dmv and we don’t have that much time to wait for a referral and then an appointment that might take months.
Thank you
@ Bertha
As long as he can hear a forced whisper at five feet with his hearing aids in, then he would pass the DOT medical examination. FMCSA is not concerned as to where the hearing help came from, but he must have them with him and use them during the examination and it will be noted on his medical card that he wear them while driving.
I took the DOT exam in California and heard the whisper in my good ear but not in my bad ear. They asked if I had hearing aids, I did but barely use them since I can hear so well in my good ear. I had an audio gram that showed I have the required hearing in my good ear but the doctor said he couldn’t pass me since I’m completely deaf in one ear. Now I have a one year certification requiring hearing aids. Should I have passed without hearing aids? If so, where can I get a valid second opinion? I haven’t worn hearing aids and am not used to them which is why I’m asking. Thanks for taking the time to review my question.
@ J O
You should have passed, not sure why you only got a one year and the need for the hearing aids is useless unless it improves your hearing. Valid second opinions should come from any other CME on the national registry or check for DOT Physical Doctors in California.
I took the DOT exam in California and heard the whisper in my good ear but not in my bad ear. They asked if I had hearing aids, I did but barely use them since I can hear so well in my good ear. They gave me a one year certification and required that I wear hearing aids. I haven’t worn hearing aids and am not used to them, am I able to ask for a second opinion?
@ J O
Yes
The Chiropractor said I passed the forced whisper at 5 feet hearing test out of both ears. But he said I had a wax buildup in one of the ears. He said he could not pass me because of this, even if I passed the hearing test part. I had to pay extra for him to flush my ear. He said it was because the ear drum was partially occluded. Is there a such a thing, or if you hear the forced whisper you pass?
thank you
Mike
@ Mike
Never heard of a chiropractor flushing out ears for a DOT examination. If you passed on the one hand, then you passed. Ear flushing is not a part of the DOT examination. So ???
A number of our guys are getting 3 month cards due to sleep apnea, is the hearing test required each time?
@ Justin
Your guys are being taken advantage of by someone who does not understand the FMCSA rules, regulations, and guidelines. Yes, hearing test is done each time you are tested.
What if I am deaf in left ear?
@ Tommy
As long as you can hear a forced whisper at five feet with your right ear, you will do fine on the hearing test.
What if you can hear the forced whisper and pass the DOT test but a previous audiometric test says you cant hear in one ear, which is legit and which is taken as legal, when the whisper test turned out fine and you the driver now has a medical card but the driving is put on hold due to the previous audiometric test?
@ TLE
Hearing a forced whisper at anything greater than 5 feet with only one good ear will pass a DOT medical certification examination. There should be no hold, unless the request is only for the CME’s documentation requirements.