Hearing (Merged) Including Hearing Tests and Hearing Categories

[Occam]

If you have hearing aids you will be found medically unfit, but IIRC if you are already in then, accomodations will be made if you need hearing aids as a result of hearing loss due to your service.

The highlighted part is not necessarily true.  If festealth is wearing it for high frequencies as he stated, it may be that he'd be able to pass the enrolment exam.  Only a hearing test will reveal that for sure.

 

[armyvern]

The highlighted part is not necessarily true.  If festealth is wearing it for high frequencies as he stated, it may be that he'd be able to pass the enrolment exam.  Only a hearing test will reveal that for sure.

Perhaps, but only if he can pass the enrollment hearing exam without the hearing aid(s).

 

[Occam]

Perhaps, but only if he can pass the enrollment hearing exam without the hearing aid(s).

Yup, that's what I was getting at.  The audio range of the hearing aid may be for frequencies above the range of concern to the entrance requirements, meaning he could pass without the assistance of the hearing aid.

 

[festealth]

We would end up getting that line from every single applicant with a problem. We then might as well not have any standards at all. You either meet the standards or you dont, simple as that.

I know what standards are for, but there is a difference between, "uhhh... yeah, I technically have a hearing disability, but you wouldn't have known about it unless I tell you or you do some test on me" and "huh?  what?  bearing icicle yams?  can you repeat it?  oh yeah.... hearing medical exams...... me hear good!"
While I understand that by not following the standards exactly it may lead to a slippery slope until eventually you have some blind, deaf, amputee, with an IQ of 50 plus being allergic to both the sun and to metal and trying to apply for some infantry position, none of us want that.

As for hearing aids, I haven't worn them for over 15 years.  I noticed, as a child, that people were behaving differently around me when I had it on compared to when I didn't wear it.  As a matter of fact, most people I know don't even know that I wore a hearing aid as a child, except for those who knew me from way back when.  I don't ask people to repeat and as a matter of fact, I'm probably a better listener because I specific spend extra effort to make sure I don't miss anything.

I'm sorry if I'm ranting (whining), even though in the end I might still get accepted.... but as of right now, this is frustrating me to no ends.  It's like not being able to get onto the roller coaster because you have to 5 feet tall and you happen to be 4'11.75

 

[PMedMoe]

Until you actually do a hearing test, you won't know.  So there's probably not much point in griping about it either way.

As far as wanting to ride a roller coaster when you are 4'11.75" when the height requirement is 5'; do you also want to be the one using safety equipment rated for 225 lbs when you weigh 230 lbs?  As stated, the standards are there for a reason.

 

[medicineman]

Yup, that's what I was getting at.  The audio range of the hearing aid may be for frequencies above the range of concern to the entrance requirements, meaning he could pass without the assistance of the hearing aid.

I have my doubts - the hearing testing has broadened the audible range a bit in the last few years at the high end...either way, he needs to be screened at the recruiting centre and if there is a problem, formally tested by an audiologist to confirm what his hearing category is.  If it's below the Common Enrolment Medical Standard, he doesn't get in.

MM

 

[George Wallace]

I have my doubts - the hearing testing has broadened the audible range a bit in the last few years at the high end...either way, he needs to be screened at the recruiting centre and if there is a problem, formally tested by an audiologist to confirm what his hearing category is.  If it's below the Common Enrolment Medical Standard, he doesn't get in.

MM

What I found, in my quest a pension for hearing loss as per CF testing, is that CF Testing scales are not the same as those used by Veteran's Affairs.  So no claim successfully filed.

 

[Occam]

I have my doubts - the hearing testing has broadened the audible range a bit in the last few years at the high end...either way, he needs to be screened at the recruiting centre and if there is a problem, formally tested by an audiologist to confirm what his hearing category is.  If it's below the Common Enrolment Medical Standard, he doesn't get in.

MM

Unless something has changed recently, you only need frequencies above 3000 Hz to obtain a H1 category.  You can be deaf as a post above 3000 Hz, and still get an H2 as long as your hearing from 500-3000 Hz is within the limits.  Once you start getting hearing loss in that range, then you start heading down in categories.

 

[mariomike]

What I found, in my quest a pension for hearing loss as per CF testing, is that CF Testing scales are not the same as those used by Veteran's Affairs.  So no claim successfully filed.

A Crewman does not receive a pension for hearing loss? 

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Unless something has changed recently, you only need frequencies above 3000 Hz to obtain a H1 category.  You can be deaf as a post above 3000 Hz, and still get an H2 as long as your hearing from 500-3000 Hz is within the limits.  Once you start getting hearing loss in that range, then you start heading down in categories.

And you are in the medical field....

 

[George Wallace]

A Crewman does not receive a pension for hearing loss?

After ....... say ten years and three or four reapplications and/or protests to Veterans Affairs; then maybe.  Veterans Affairs usual tactic is to reject your initial "Claim" and make you fight for it, hoping that you give up.  A vast majority do, frustrated with a system where medical documentation counts for nothing at their Pension Boards.

 

[mariomike]

I used to get mad when I heard about this sort of thing. Now that I am getting older it saddens me. It's a lack of respect, that frankly I find embarrassing as a Canadian.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

After ....... say ten years and three or four reapplications and/or protests to Veterans Affairs; then maybe.  Veterans Affairs usual tactic is to reject your initial "Claim" and make you fight for it, hoping that you give up.  A vast majority do, frustrated with a system where medical documentation counts for nothing at their Pension Boards.

I got mine on the first go around George. Was able to document everything going back over thirty years and had a Doctor that knew how to write the letter to DVA properly.

 

[Occam]

And you are in the medical field....

No.

I'm someone who started out in this outfit as an H1, gradually declined due to noise exposure to an H2, and am now an H3 with a hearing aid and pensioned by VAC because of it.  I'm intimately familiar with the hearing standards, unless they've changed very recently.

Good enough for you? 

 

[PMedMoe]

IMHO, there's a huge difference between getting hearing aids after you've already been enrolled (and lost hearing due to job exposure) and having hearing aids before you enroll.  However, if this person can pass the hearing test without the hearing aids, this whole argument is moot.

 

[Occam]

IMHO, there's a huge difference between getting hearing aids after you've already been enrolled (and lost hearing due to job exposure) and having hearing aids before you enroll.  However, if this person can pass the hearing test without the hearing aids, this whole argument is moot.

Which is what I said way back at reply #16  ;D

I only brought up my own hearing aid and personal experience with the testing procedures for hearing because someone questioned my ability to offer an opinion on the subject.

 

[medicineman]

Unless something has changed recently, you only need frequencies above 3000 Hz to obtain a H1 category.  You can be deaf as a post above 3000 Hz, and still get an H2 as long as your hearing from 500-3000 Hz is within the limits.  Once you start getting hearing loss in that range, then you start heading down in categories.

TABLE OF HEARING STANDARDS
H1- the member has the necessary auditory acuity to hear sounds of less than or equal to 30 dB in each ear in the 500 to 8000 Hz frequency range.
H2 - the member has the necessary auditory acuity to hear sounds of less than or equal to 30 dB in each ear in the 500 to 3000 Hz frequency range.
H3 - the member has the necessary auditory acuity to hear sounds of less than or equal to 50 dB in either ear in the 500 to 3000 Hz frequency range.
H4 - the member has the necessary auditory acuity to only hear sounds greater than 50 dB in either ear in the 500 to 3000 Hz frequency range.
NOTE 1 - Following a surgical procedure to improve hearing, an audiometric examination will be done to determine any residual hearing loss. The audiometric examination should be done at a time recommended post-operatively by the surgical specialist and the appropriate H grade assigned.

Straight from the CFP154.

MM

 

[jack44]

I have applied for the navy to be a marine electrician, the recruiter said I scored high on the cfat and in my interview but the medical showed that I have slight hearing loss and am at the h3 level, I have been told that because of the trade I chose, there demand for electricians and that I'm semi-skilled that I should get in fine, but I also read that only h1 and h2 will be accepted I'm wondering if any one can tell me.
As well a couple years ago I had tubes put in my ears the left fell out but the right is still in is this a problem?

 

[Newt]

Book an appointment with an audiologist. If you have a tube in your ear after two years you probably need a follow-on appointment anyways.

If your hearing is damaged an audiologist will also help you with a treatment or prevention plan to maintain your hearing.

 

[jack44]

yes I have seen an audioligist and the resuilts were the same