Hearing Waiver?

[Max7]

Hello Gentlemen,
I have a question concerning getting a hearing waiver for my flight physical. I looked at the requirements, and in the 4000 range the maximum allowed is 55. I am currently at 75 in the 4000 and 6000 ranges in my left ear. The hearing loss is directly related to noise exposure(anti-tank rockets and heavy machine gun fire) from two deployments to Afghanistan. My right ear and the rest of the ranges in my left ear are well within the requirements... it's just the 4000 range in my left ear.

I am wondering what the chances are of being granted a waiver? Has anyone had any experience with this, or could point me in the right direction?

I am planning on ETSing from the Army, getting my degree, going to OCS, and applying to flight school. I have a long road ahead of me and I would just like to get a feel if this is going to be a show stopper.

 

[FlyBoyd]

How long since you were exposed to that noise? I ask because after you get out and spend some time away from the noise you may notice some improvement.

Not on the same level but I was exposed to very loud car stereos for 15 years (yes, that loud). You could actually see the test getting worse every year. I attributed it to flying. Once my son was born the stereos were gone. I also started using protection when mowing and with power tools. Now, seven years later, I test better than by baseline test results from 1988.

My point is you might see a marked improvement while in college (away from the noise) so don't write it off based on your test results now.

 

[Deror]

I just got home from my flight physical this weekend. I also have slight hearing loss in my right ear. The Navy Captain that examined me told me that the odds of a waiver are all but 100% in my situation. They don't know what caused my hearing loss so I had 2 MRI's and saw a specialist to try to figure it out. The Capt told me that if it was due to noise he would just wink and sign off on it right then, so I wouldn't get too discouraged.

 

[ACowboyinTexas]

I came in on a waiver over 20 years ago for High Frequency Hearing Loss. It also was due to exposure to loud impact noise - as compared to long-duration loud noises. This kind of HFHL will most likely not get better, but fortunately, should not get worse if you take care of your ears. Also, since there is a pretty good idea of the cause and likelihood that it won't get worse, you should swing the wiaver pretty easily. Grain of salt and lots of other caveats due to the vagaries of NAMI.
That, being said, my HFHL did get a bit worse after a lot of time on the LSO platform, and was a hassle every single flight physical until I got it re-baselilned at about year 16.
Good Luck and God speed.

 

[sardaddy]

A waiver will really depend on the board at the time. They may accept any waivers and they may not allow any. The amount of candidates they want and how many apply may come into play on how picky they are. I wish you good luck and would apply and make them say no before you give up.