Bilateral Ear Surgery

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nursebetty1961

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Dec 20, 2018
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Hello!
And so glad to have found this forum! DD is a freshman in HS and very, very interested in attending USMA (she is also an athlete, hoping for recruitment.) As a toddler she had tubes placed in her ear with one being more permanent - which has to be removed. We were referred to an Ear Surgery Specialist due to her abnormally small ear canals. After assessment she was diagnosed with mild conductive hearing loss - which they believe is due to the tube in the one ear. She also has a small perforated ear drum in the other ear. The surgeon is recommending bilateral ear canalplasty, which will make her ear canals larger and should correct the mild conduction loss. It is my understanding that any ear surgery is a disqualifier. Any thoughts if this possibly could be waived, especially if she is prospective athlete ? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I know she is only 14 but USMA is high on her list. She has already been to camps and clinics. We visit the academy often for games as well. Thank you!!!!
 
You can google "dodmerb" medical standards and pull up the part about ears, hearing, etc. I believe ear surgery of any type is a DQ (except for tympanoplasty that is over 180 days). What does that mean? It means that an applicant with that history would be DQ'd and it would be up to USMA to waive such a DQ. In general terms, the stronger the candidate, the more likely a waiver. I would get a second, and third opinion and bring the standards with me when I see the doctor so that they can see what you are dealing with. Not sure where you are located but if you can find an army doctor or one that is familiar with how the military works in these situations that would be smart.
 
Thank you so much for your reply! I do know plenty of physicians that work at the V.A. maybe they could provide me with a referral. Thanks again!!!
 
To save some time, here are the pertinent sections on ears (but not hearing), based on what you described above:

Section 5.5 (p. 14):

"a. Current defect that would require either recurrent evaluation or treatment or that may reasonably be expected to prevent or interfere with the proper wearing or use of military equipment (including hearing protection) to include atresia of the external ear or severe microtia, congenital or acquired stenosis, chronic otitis externa, or severe external ear deformity...."

"e. History of any inner or middle ear surgery.
f. Current perforation of the tympanic membrane or history of surgery to correct perforation during the preceding 180 days.
g. Chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction within the last 3 years as evidenced by retracted tympanic membrane, or recurrent otitis media, or the need for pressure-equalization tube."
 
Also, if it was "within the last three years" is what I have read VERY OFTEN in a lot of DoDMERB posts (about a lot of different DQs)

Since she's 14 now and will be more like 18 if she gets an Offer of Appointment, consulting with DoDMERB and a doctor familiar with the military and (perhaps more importantly) Service Academy DQs, there exists the possibility that she could have the procedure SOON, and get under that "last three years" wire.

I am not a doctor, though! Just thinking of the possible angles to better hearing AND attending a Service Academy.
 
Thank you. There are no external deformity to the ears, just unusually small ear canals. First surgery is on one ear is in January and second surgery will be in march. Never had issues with wearing headphones or a helmet. Able to hear coaches from side line while having a helmet on. After the surgeries are complete there really should not be any chronic condition or ongoing treatment. Both ear drums will be patched during the surgeries. Really appreciate all the information!!!! Thanks again. Happy Holidays!!
 
Good luck with the procedures. Keep a complete file on the records, so you’re prepared down the road if your daughter chooses a military path. At the final “good to go appointment,” the doctor should annotate all the good stuff about complete success, no limitations, no further action required, etc.
 
Does anyone happen to know if USMA will grant a waiver for Eustachian tube dysfunction, I can't find anymore threads containing that information. If not would corrective surgery be a way to get it fixed ?
 
usmaismygoal said:
Does anyone happen to know if USMA will grant a waiver for Eustachian tube dysfunction, I can't find anymore threads containing that information. If not would corrective surgery be a way to get it fixed ?
Click to expand...

What does your ENT doc is the cause of the ET dysfunction?

How was it diagnosed?

What signs or symptoms did you have to make your doctor look for it?
 
He said the I had it as a child, but have no symptoms or problems with it since then. No hearing loss or current ear functions hindered by the history of ETD. It wasn't really looked for, but noticed in a ear appointment. He has indicated multiple times that it should pose no threat to my hearing or normal function and has written a letter for me which has been sent to DoDMERB.
 
GoCubbies said:
usmaismygoal said:
Does anyone happen to know if USMA will grant a waiver for Eustachian tube dysfunction, I can't find anymore threads containing that information. If not would corrective surgery be a way to get it fixed ?
Click to expand...

What does your ENT doc is the cause of the ET dysfunction?

How was it diagnosed?

What signs or symptoms did you have to make your doctor look for it?
Click to expand...
He said the I had it as a child, but have no symptoms or problems with it since then. No hearing loss or current ear functions hindered by the history of ETD. It wasn't really looked for, but noticed in a ear appointment. He has indicated multiple times that it should pose no threat to my hearing or normal function and has written a letter for me which has been sent to DoDMERB.
 
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