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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 failed both the forced whisper test and the audio test yesterday July 22, 2022. My doctor passed me anyway at his discretion. Can Doctors do this? I wear a hearing aid in my left ear and was born deaf in the right ear. I can hear the normal conversation with my aid. Yesterday I couldn’t hear the whisper but could hear the voice just couldn’t make out the word. I have been driving a Class A truck for 8 years without any problems. Never had a wreck, never hit anyone. My safety record is spotless. My question is should I apply for a hearing waiver before my next DOT exam? If so how far in advance should I try. How difficult is it to get approved for a waiver and how long does it take?
I forgot to mention I can hear normal conversation. I just can’t hear a forced whisper. Who whispers in a truck? The whisper test is dumb. I can hear the conversation in crowded restaurants and yes I can hear my wife.
@ joey W
Given your situation, you should be fine. The CME understands your situation and condition, and can move forward, as he did. Getting the waiver may be of help. You will have to check with DOT/FMCSA for time and requirements for a hearing waiver.
I have hearing amplifiers. Are they the same as hearing aids by DOT standards or do I need hearing aids from dr?
@ Elizabeth
These will be considered hearing aids and will be mandated to wear while driving.
In my last DOT medical exam two years ago (DOTme), I failed the Forced Whisper test. I heard the first whisper in both ears, but because I didn’t understand the word whispered they failed me. Is this still the way they preform that test? Anyway, on the second DOTme a month later, they gave me a Audiogram, which I passed.
@ Charles
Most examiners still use the forced whisper, which does not work so well with drivers, especially if a woman is doing the test. Request a male perform the test or return to the examiner you saw last.
Thank you for the reply. But I’m wondering, if they won’t grant my request for another person to administrator the test, is there a specific rule under DOT regulations that says, if the person does hear the whisper that they pass the test, or if the person does hear the whisper, but not the word whispered, they still pass the test? Or does this DOT regulation actually vary from state to state? It seems alittle unfair to fail someone just because they didn’t understand the word.
@ Charles
The whole thing is a bit unfair. Drivers have wind and big engine sounds all day long. Men lose high frequency sounds as they get older, so a girls voice will be lost. It is ambiguous to say the least. But it falls to the examiner to make the final decision. DOT/FMCSA states that you must hear a forced whisper at 5 feet.
Again thank you for your replies. As I mentioned in my first question, I failed the Whisper Test, but passed the Audiogram. What I didn’t say was that I passed by one x. If hadn’t gotten that one x, I would have failed. The question I’m about to ask, can’t really find a stable answer to. If anyone should know it would be this website. Can a person take a Audiogram for the DOT medical exam while wearing hearing aids?
@ Charles
The CME should take your audiogram, with hearing aids, into consideration over the whisper test. Then all he needs to do is mark your medical card as hearing aids required to drive.
I am upgrading to sealed rechargeable hearing aids and I have to wear them while driving would it suffice if I were to carry my old hearing aids with a fresh set of batteries with me on the truck at all times, would this be acceptable to the FMCSA
@ Tony
Seems like over kill, but yes, it would show that you are taking the necessary steps to be in full compliance.
If the state of Texas acceptance your medical certificate are you good to go with hearing problem
@ John
State related question. Best to check with your local drivers license department for your best answer.
I am totally deaf. I do have cochlear implants but they stopped working years ago and I have decided to not have them fixed. My question is can I still get a CDL? Is there a waiver I can get from the DOT for a totally deaf person to pass the DOT physical and if I do then can I also have an interrupter with me to take the skills testing exam portion of the CDL
@ Kelly A
All cdl’s are state issued and must comply with your states guidelines and regulations. Check with your local DLD for guidance, they will take you through their waiver process. Make sure you ask about the interrupter for the skills testing.
In Texas if you have a hearing a restriction on your medical certificate and get a new medical certificate and don’t have one can you send it in
@ John
Do you require a hearing aid to pass the DOT/FMCSA medical examination or do you have a hearing restriction on your license? If yes, then you will need to return to the examiner and have him correct the error. Also, the state may have questions too, if you send your copy in and they do not match.
with rechargeable hearing aids what is DOT requirements for those. replaceable batteries had to carried with you.
@ Dale A
Just make sure you have a recharge system in the truck at all times. That should satisfy DOT/FMCSA.
If you failed only the hearing test but you have some hearing aids how do you go about being retested
@ Mike
If you are returning to the same facility, then they may redo the hearing test only. But not all facilities will work with you on this issue. Some may require a full medical examination again.
I wear hearing aids how come on my dmv printout its says no freeway driving
@ Anthony V
DMV printout would be state issued, best to check with your state for proper guidance on this.
I have unilateral hearing loss. I can hear very well in my other ear. Does heavy vehicle prevent me from getting a license?
@ Mehmet c
For a class A cdl medical certification examination you must be able to hear a forced whisper from 5 feet. Unlike vision which requires both eyes individually and together, hearing is different and any ear will do.
only one side of the ear is severely lost, in this case, it doesn’t seem possible for me to get a driver’s license, is it true?
@ Mehmet
Not true, see answer above.
I really want to get a driver’s license. I can’t get clear information about whether the unilateral hearing loss of a truck driver’s license still prevents me from getting a truck driver’s license.
@ Mehmet c
As long as you can hear a forced whisper at 5 feet, then you should be able to obtain your medical certificate for a class A cdl, if all else is within normal limits. If your limited ear can be corrected with a hearing aid, then the examiner may report it on your medical certification card. But you would still pass the physical.
How can I obtain a DL 51B form to apply for a California Intrastate medical exemption?
@ TonyH
Your medical examiner should have this form already for you. If not, Google, type in DL 51B, then download pdf and print the sections of the form you need.
do you have to have a restriction on your physical drivers license for wearing hearing aids in the state of Colorado
@ Thurman P
Each state is different. Check with the Colorado drivers license department for your best answer.
I have trouble with the whisper test, even with my hearing aides I can hear them but cannot make out what word or number most of the time. I not only have hearing loss but tinnitus also. Does the dot require that I hear the pronunciation or just be able to hear the whisper.
@ Don T
If a women is preforming the test, you will have difficulty due to her higher frequency voice. Ask if a man can perform the test. You will need to hear and repeat what the examiner said.
DOT Recognizes Deaf and Hard of Hearing Truck Drivers! Anyone with hearing issues should look into this. Great agency working for the hard of hearing.
In a historic victory for deaf and hard of hearing truckers, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) announced today, after decades of prohibition, that deaf drivers can operate commercial motor vehicles such as large trucks. Today, the DOT granted 40 applications filed by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) seeking exemption from the hearing standard that has barred deaf drivers from obtaining commercial drivers’ licenses (CDLs). In announcing this historic decision, the DOT cited research demonstrating that deaf drivers are as safe as hearing drivers.
You must repeat what is whispered. You are allowed no closer than 5 ft. They are supposed to whisper from your side. NOT FROM BEHIND AS THEY ALL DO. If you fail you lose your job. Few will give you a break. You should be able to get a waiver. But the wait can take months and same for the renewal. Submit your renewal pkg. at least 3 months in advance of expiration. The pkg. will consist of copy of 3yrs. Of driving record, med cert., front and back of your cdl, a written request poss. More. There is a well hidden link called hearing exemption renewal procedure on the internet. And no ..FMCSA from Washington DC to the field offices had no clue. I had to discover this myself . They were clueless if you could even get them to answer the phone or emails. They don’t tell you about the three month submission pre expiration except in the link if your lucky enough to find it. They will send you a stack of worthless links(maybe). Per national association of the deaf, This is institutional discrimination and prejudice.In short, the medical examiners, the FMCSA, your employer, and the cops are bound and determined to end your career if you don’t hear that exact word or number or get that waiver.
@ Ron A
Don T could have a hearing test performed by an audiologist and take the results in with him on the next DOT/FMCSA examination, too. That could help save his job.
So, I wear hearing aids, and my boss and I submitted information to FMCA….they responded saying it can take up to 180 days. In the meantime, my medical card expires on July 7….and that is WITH a 3 month extension…. what are my options
@ Shannon S
You do not need a hearing waiver for a class A medical card unless your hearing is less than adequate to pass the medical examination. if you can pass the whisper test with your hearing aids in place, then all the medical examiner has to do is mark that you need to wear your aids while driving.
My examiner was wearing a mask. Can I ask to try taking the test again without her wearing a mask?
@ Dave G
Ask if a male can do the test. Male drivers lose the female voice frequencies early in life, so a female behind a mask would be difficult at best for any driver.
Ya but, I’m a women trying to pass a whisper test. Is it the same, I had a women doc doing the whisper test on me, and with a mask on????
@ Nancy F
The mask will lower your ability to hear a forced whisper. Have them retest with the mask off. Men seem to lose high frequency earlier in life. Women, not so much.
I am unable to pass the whisper test even with hearing aids. The center had me do an auditory hearing test & made me remove my hearing aids prior to the test. I failed again. Seems like taking your glasses off for the eye test. Is removal of the hearing aids a standard for the auditory test?
@ Rich S
There is no need to remove your hearing aids for the DOT/FMCSA hearing test. If a female is the examiner, then ask to have a male perform the test on you. Most men lose the females higher frequencies early in life.
I barely passed the forced whisper test at my DOT physical. I wear a hearing aid in one ear but can’t hear a thing in the other. How do I apply in advance for the waiver prior to my next exam.
@ Ben C
You do not need a waiver as long as you can pass the forced whisper test with a hearing aid in your one good ear. Since men lose high frequency sounds, like a women’s voice, try to get a man to administer the whisper test.
When I pulled one of my drivers driving record, it stated he must wear a hearing aid. This restriction just popped up recently. He DOES NOT need hearing aids, and has tried numerous times to have it removed. He even presented his DOT physical, and no where does it state that he needs ant type of hearing aids. Any suggestions will be helpful…
@ Kimberly R
It’s a state thing, so unfortunately you have to deal with the state drivers license department.
If you dont pass the whisper test, what are the actual numbers needed from an audio test to be considered passing? I had a test done and it actually said passed as the results but the doctor said my numbers were too high.
@ Lorne
DOT/FMCSA requires a hearing loss be less than 40 db., and/or corrected with a hearing aid.
Hearing in my left hear is at 92%, hearing in the right ear is 28%. I have certification from the audiologist. In AZ, can I keep my CDL with yearly hearing tests?
@ Muchele S
Yes, there should be no issues.
My medical card expires 04-24-20. When can I have a physical? And will the new expiration date be from 4-24-20?
@ G W K
You can take the examination at any time before the expiration date. The medical card will be dated on the date it was done and not 4-24.
I have an employee who is hearing impaired and will not pass the dot requirements showing . The FMCSA has a waiver form for the hearing impaired which allows them to obtain a CDL . In the state of New Jersey will this be ok for him to still obtain his CDL. He needs CDL for a upgrade in pay.
Thanks Jimmy
I have Cochlear implants in both ears and hear fine when wearing them, but I cannot hear without them, can I still attend CDL schools and obtain a class A license?
@ Lucas B
Yes. Your medical card will indicate that you must wear your hearing devices at all times while driving