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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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What is the restriction code for when a driver must wear hearing aides?
@ Tamara D
If hearing aids were used to pass the medical card certification, then the aids must be worn at all times while driving.
I have to renew my medical certificate shortly and now I have severe hearing loss in my left ear but my right ear is ok, can I still pass the medical exam in the state of New Jersey using aids or just get by with whisper test on my good ear and does it require a medical doctors approval to have the test administered this way. thanks
@ eddie d
Just use your hearing aids and you should be fine. It will be marked on your medical card that you are to be wearing hearing aids during driving.
been almost 3 months since i went in for my renewal of my medical certificate the one that did the exam only gave me a 90 day certificate due to her saying my blood pressure was high,so she put me on medication and have been getting my blood pressure rechecked every 2 weeks by a nurse who tells the one who did the exam who issued the prescription when this all started she said that i would need at least 2 readings under 140 to get a 1 year certificate well have had at least 2 readings well below 140 so now i get told i have to make an appointment to see the one who issued the first one and pay for another exam ,is this the case or am i just being given the runaround by the clinic as a way for them to get another $120.00 thank you
@ Brian F
CME’s are not supposed to be prescribing medications. They are to perform the DOT/FMCSA examination and if issues arise that require medical attention, then you should have been referred to your primary doctor. And yes, a new DOT medical certification examination is required by FMCSA.
So are you saying a provider who provides primary care for an individual cannot perform his DOT if the provider is certified to do so? And does that patient have to make another appt if he needs attention other than DOT?
@ Jennifer L
Any certified medical examiner on the FMCSA registry can perform and issue a federal medical certification card. And, you would need to confirm the office policies regard additional services other than DOT.
If you have a restriction 11 on your CDL, does that restriction also apply when you are not driving a commercial vehicle?
@ Ralph M
Your best answer will come from your states DLD.
Can a hearing aid specialist give audiometric test to meet CDL requirements in illinois.
@ Linda
Yes, take the results to the CME. The DOT examiner may still perform a whisper test to confirm the overall findings.
Hi My question is how many weeks can you get a hearing aid result from an audiologist before going to the actual DOT physical examiner? Thanks
@ Greg M
The closer to the DOT examination the better. And the CME may still perform the whisper test to confirm the need for the hearing aids.
I went to get new fed-med card passed everything except the hearing and was denied my card. Hen I arrived and filled out the forms I stated I wear hearing aids and brought a copy of my hearing test from an audiologist that showed my hearing loss. They still stuck me in the both without my hearing aids and surprise I failed. Then dr. comes in and tells me that I can’t get a new card because of my hearing so I said that’s because the nurse tested me without my aids in so the dr. does the whisper test with my hearing aids and I pass that but at the end of my exam I’m told I can’t get my card . Reason hearing . And they listed my hearing aids as sound amplifiers. I don’t understand this
@ Robert P
If you pass the hearing test with your hearing aids in, then you should have passed. Get a second opinion somewhere else.
Did you get the hearing aids through the audiologist or amazon?
Why should that matter if he can pass the whisper test? Do they hold wearers of vision aids to the same level of scrutiny? “Yes, you passed the vision test with those glasses, but we need documentation from your eye doctor.” That never happens.
I am a Public School bus driver who has recently been diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease. I have heard conflicting tales of whether or not this will disqualify me for a CDL. I am aware and have ample warning of an oncoming attack. Is there criteria for Meniere’s as a disqualifying disability or is it cut and dry? Or is (fingers crossed) this not considered to be a disqualifying disability?
@ Glenda M
You are a school bus driver and you fall under the states variances and guidelines, not FMCSA. Check with your local drivers license department for your best answer.
im hard of hearing in both ears and i barely passed forced whisper in one ear. failed in the other. ive ben tryn to get hearing aids but my insurance doesnt cover it. its $5000 for both ears. $2500 for one. i cannot afford either. im stumped on what to do. amplifiers are useless. if i cant get one i loss my job? is there a law about providing employees with disabilities the equipment to do there job? i got a family to support. if i spend the money on a hearing aid i wont be able to pay my bills nor feed us.
@ Don s T
FMCSA wants you to be able to hear a forced whisper, in at least one good ear, with or without a hearing aid. Make sure a man does the forced whisper test. Females have a very high frequency vs a man’s lower tones, even in a whisper.
Does the hearing aid have ro be prescribed?
Can it be store bought?
@ Gino
If it is needed and works for you, then your good. It does not have to be prescribed, but it’s helpful.
That’s the question and answer I was looking for, I failed the whisper test, she was wearing a mask and also cover her mouth with her tablet, I have Hues Aidion Hearing Aids that aren’t prescribed and I hear really good with them, they gave me a 6 month card 2 weeks ago, I still going to see a audiologist just in case, if he says the ones I have will work, I’ll use them when I go back. Thanks for all your information.
The regulation states you have to carry back up power for the hearing aid in your possession. What if you’re hearing aid is rechargeable not battery powered? Some of the new ones are going to a charging station at night while you sleep as opposed to a replaceable battery.
@ Jared
That should not even raise a question by an examiner.
My job does not require a CDL only a regular license in California but it does require all drivers to pass DOT physical. I am profoundly deaf. California DMV says they have no hearing exemption from the physical because the job only requires a regular license. FMCSA says the same. How do I pass the DOT physical then? I have been sent around several times and no one seems to answer my question. Please help.
@ Darryl
Your standard driver’s license should already indicate the need for a hearing aid. That is all the CME needs to know, then he would mark the same thing on the medical card. Explain that you are not a class a, otr driver, and that you fll under the state’s licensing variencies.
The standard license does not require a hearing aid. Deaf people can drive without a hearing aid. I cannot hear with a hearing aid either so it would not help.
Again, the job does not require a CDL but requires a DOT phsyical test because of the weight of the trucks they drive. FMCSA, however, provides hearing exemptions only for CDLs. It just does not seem to make sense.
@ Darryl
Then explain your driving duties and make sure the examiner understands the FMCSA regulations, as well as your states variances. Then you should not have any issues.
If I have a class a cdl. I need to wear hearing aids to drive a professional truck at work. My question is if I am driving my personal car, do I have to wear my hearing aids? Deaf people can drive their personal vehicles!
@ Steven O D
True, but as a CDL class A driver? Most states would require you having your hearing aids on, if stopped.
i have taken a audiometeric hearing test and i’m well below the standard needed to pass the hearing exam. if i opp not to purchase hearing aids at this time what will happen at my next DOT test date.is the Doctor where i had failed the hearing part of the test required to notify Dot that the test was not passed
@ Wayne M
Each federal DOT examination performed is reported to the FMCSA.
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.