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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 have a FMCSA hearing exemption that expires soon and I cant find out how to renew, any ideas. There is no information on the paperwork or their website, I have sent many messages and left many messages on their voice mail with no response. I cant pass the test even with a hearing aid due to ringing in my ears. I can hear fine when looking at someone or talking on the phone but cant distinguish voices behind me.Im running out of time and need my job. thanks
@ Tom
Check with your local DOT examiner and see if they have a local list of SPE examiners. You will probably need a new SPE examination to acquire the new hearing exemption. FMCSA does not seem to be very available for these types of things anymore. Also check with your local drivers license department and see if they have any information available too
I am completely deaf in one ear however the hearing in my other ear is excellent. Will I be able to keep my CDL if I pass whisper test on only one ear ?? If you only need to pass one ear than why do they test both?
@ Mike
Perfect hearing in one ear will pass the DOT medical examination. Why test both, confirmation as to whether a hearing aid would be beneficial.
I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you meant posted Q & A by readers. My question is answered.
I really do not understand why an ambiguous word like PERCEIVE is used, instead of the straightforward word UNDERSTAND…typical government doublespeak!
And yes, it is BS, as others have said. For safety, a driver needs to “become aware of” sounds around him/her. To “hear” a whispered word, but not to understand it, is all that should be required for safety. Understanding is irrelevant! A person driving with the windows up, A/C running, and music turned up loud wouldn’t hear an ambulance siren in the lane next to him/her.
-kn
I may be late in this question but I think I can explain “perceive”. In my classes we are taught that perceive means to not just hear the sound, but to understand and know what it is, especially with speech. People can hear someone speaking and not understand it and this creates huge problems.
They must hear it and know what they are saying.
Yes, as long as you can PERCEIVE a forced whispered voice in one ear…
What does the word perceive mean?
Definition:
1.
become aware or conscious of (something); come to realize or understand.
Become aware of is not the same as understand. A person can become aware of the “forced whisper” (whatever that is), but not understand what is whispered.
Thank you for your interpretation of this for me, -kn
Class (8) vehicles all have led warning lights on there instrument panel, to put this another way, you don’t need a perceived whisper to drive safe, however you do need good vision. I’ve been driving class 8 trucks for 53 years and have no violations to date as of this posting, my hearing has been compromised due to early class 8 trucks that had very little noise abatement protection, moreover the, (American hearing association) an advocate for the the hearing impaired, concluded drivers with hearing impairments are among the safest drivers. In conclusion I think most drivers in any category are safer because they have their eyes on the road not hearing loud music on the radio !
I am a school Bus Driver in the State of Indiana. I have lost 100% hearing suddenly in 1 ear. Am I leagal to Drive Bus. I have 100% hearing in the other ear.
Been CDL B driver for 20 years in Maryland. Moved to Florida late 2015. Diagnosed with Meniere’s in right ear in Oct. 2016. Had the Microwick procedure performed and ringing in ear has cleared up. DOT doctor said that because I was diagnosed with Meniere’s, that there is a possibility that I could get Vertigo and he must revoke my DOT medical card and CDL license at this time. Because of this, I will lose my job. Have not had an issue at anytime with Vertigo.
You need to make sure that you were diagnosed with Tinnitis( ringing in the ears) and not Menieres.
What is the deal with this whispering hearing test, that’s the biggest bunch of crap I have ever heard of. The only people that whisper are the trouble makers. When in the hell when you’re driving to do hear a truck horn whisper or a car horn whisper even a train how about an ambulance or cop car even your wife doesn’t whisper, this is the biggest bunch of BS I have ever heard of. Talk in a normal voice and everything is fine!!!!!!!!!
ever wonder if they whisper something an they didn’t to trick cdl driver to get medical help to use us like test animals I know these people make harder for americans easy for imigrants to drive in us
As a CDL holding Truck Diver for 40, I have had hearing lose where I have had to have hearing aids for the last 30 years. I noticed that I was not hear as well with hearing aids in. Went in to have an audio test for up grades. This is what they found my right ear has a speech discrimination of 40 with an average decibel loss of 83 and my left ear has a speech discrimination of 60 with an average decibel loss of 85. In the retuned info issue/contention statement says “Individual Unemployability” never heard this before went to DOT and State Patrol and they can’t give me an answer as to what I can do from here. Does this mean that I’m done as a CDL Driver? Thanks for your assistance in this matter.
@Bob
With your hearing aids in, can you hear a forced whisper in at least one ear? If so, then you still pass the DOT medical certification examination. If not able to hear a forced whisper then you might want to check into intra-state only driving. That would put you under the states variances and not FMCSA.
Trucker Doc,
I can hear that some one is talking but can not decode about 35 to 40% of the words. Have to move with in 2 feet to under stand most words and lean good ear to person talking. Thanks Bob
@Bob
Is this with or with out hearing aids?
Yes with them in!
@Bob
It appears that, based on your answer, that you should check into either a hearing waiver from rhe Federal DOT, or intra-state driving. Intra-state puts you under the states variances and not FMCSA/Federal regulations.
Force whisper is not allowed aided. Aided requires that when tested wearing your hearing ads you have to have a pure tone average of 30dB or better in one ear and 85% discrimination or better with hearing aids in and at 65dB in sound field presentation level. So you either can purchase stronger hearing aids to pass the requirements or consider obtaining a cochlear implant which when tested you should pass after implanted. Most Audiologist give you a 30 day trial period so you would have the opportunity to see if the stronger hearing aids will help pass the testing before considering the implant. The implant is not a quick fix it is a surgery and the implanted device that takes months to acclimate to. If you cannot afford new hearing aids I suggest contacting Vocational Rehabilitation services for your state. They help in these matters.
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.
I wear hearing aids may I take the hearing test with my hearing aids in in the audio booth test.I can not pass the whisper test
@David
FMCSA wants you to able to hear, so hearing aids are fine. You will need to have the examiner mark ‘must wear hearing aids’ on your medical certificate.
They will not allow me to wear hearing aids for audio test. Can they do that? Thank you
@David
During the testing phase they may request no hearing aids to complete the initial test. And after the test they should determine that you need them and make the recommendation that you wear hearing aids whenever you are driving.
Passed the DOT Physical with my hearing aids in. But they only gave me a one year cirtification because of my eye glasses and hearing aids. I’ve had both for many years. And I’ve always got a 2 year cirtifacation. So what has changed?
@Gerald
Nothing changed, so I would ask what other issues where present that reduced your certificate. If all else was normal, then you should have gotten a two year card.
If you are concerned about not being able to pass the “forced whisper” test. then apply for a hearing exemption that the FMCSA issues. This started in Feb of 2012 with 40 exemptions issued and now have over 300 exemptions issued. The exemptions can be renewed up to every 2 years. Please see: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-exemption-programs
Plan ahead, obtaining an exemption takes about 6 months if all paperwork is filled out and provided correctly. Once an exemption is issued, bring it with you when you go in for your medical examiner’s card and you’ll be exempted from the “forced whisper” test. You MUST keep the hearing exemption on you at all times. If you are not sure how the process works for the hearing exemption or if you have more questions, you can contact me. I would be more than happy to help you. Please get the word out, share this information! So many professional drivers are losing their jobs needlessly.
i have hearing aids and i have trouble with the whisper test on the dot med exam, i have talked to my audiology teck At the vet administration) and informed me the whisper test is unfare do to the many different levels of sound tones. what do i do as i need my driving job.
Many hearing doctors say the whisper test is totally unfair to many. I agree. A high percentage of people have trouble with noise behind them and certain voices.
It is NOT supposed to be behind you but beside you. It’s still a bunch of crap, but at least this may help.
Hi I am glad I found your comment on getting the forced whisper exemption waiver. Can you tell me how I get the form and if I can call someone to find out how to get it. I had a terrible time trying to get my physical passed even though I have hearing aids and had my audiologist give me the chart showing I passed it and a letter from her and the medical examiner was really being a jerk. After checking with someone else she must have realized my hearing specialists opinion and testing trumps hers and she had no choice but to pass me. She was really out to fail me. I am wanting to get this before I try again next year. I would appreciate any info on how to apply for the exemption waiver. Thank You
these exemptions are only good for interstate driver not intrastate drivers
All of you references are to “hearing” a forced whisper. You don’t specify being able to understand what she said. I could “hear” that she was whispering just fine, in both ears, I just couldn’t understand what she said. I couldn’t “understand” the 3 words that she said, so she failed me.
Is this correct, or should I have passed since I could easily hear her?
@Ken
See the answer in the Comments right below – for Jamelle on Dec 19, 2015. This should give you a good reference for how the test is being administered.
Sorry to be such a pain in the tuchus. You clarified that the tested ear should be turned toward the whisperer…I did not realize that (my back was to her).
My question was: do I have to understand the words or numbers? You used the word perceive, which means discern, recognize, become aware of… I easily perceived her whisper, but could not understand what she said. I probably could have perceived her whisper at 10, and even 15 feet.
BTW-I am going to an audiologist today, but I feel that the test method and results should be clarified better to the examiners.
Thanks again for your time.
If your audiologist can document that your hearing is below an averge of 40 decibels.. 34 in one ear, 40 in other ear, for average of 37 you passed. you need to be below 40 no matter !
I have had CDL hearing tests ever since they changed to CDLs.I moved to Kansas and still drive part time.The examiner has to be elligable to give the test.Every test I have been given in all those years they simply ask,”can you hear me”.This lady whispered two short words and even tho I answered correctly she insisted I tell her what she said.I could not distingwish the words.She failed me.I assume the hearing test to to alert us to sirens,train whistles,car horns an such.I when to another examiner,he whispered “can you hear me” and I passed.Problem is I had to pay out of my pocket the cost of two examines.
I have read that Fed guidelines state that a whisper test should be given with the ear being tested turned towards the Dr. My test was given with Dr standing behind me. . Was this a legal test. I did fail the test.
@Jamelle
The test is to have you hear a forced whisper at five feet or better in at least one ear. Not sure why someone would want to play games with this simple test. If you feel that the test was done unfairly, then get a second opinion or have an audio test done by a professional and take the results back to the examiner. Also if the examiner is a female, men have more difficulty hearing high pitch sounds. Have a male administer the test and see if this makes a difference.
They always turn around or make us turn around, and whisper as low as possible such an unfair test.ohio