Audiogram - recommendations, prayers, warm wishes and thoughts

rontyler

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Mar 19, 2018
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Hi All:

I am writing to ask for any recommendations, guidance or even simple words of support.

This is our story:

This past fall, my daughter after falling in love with the US Naval Academy (USNA) at the USNA Summer Seminar in 2017, applied to the USNA for the class of 2022.

She had her initial DODMERB physical exam done on September 27th 2017. My wife had asked for copies of the exam results and was told by the doctor’s office that they do not give the results to the candidate or candidate’s parents at the time.

Just before Christmas 2017, we were notified she was being nominated by our local congressman! Thank you so much! ! ! & Hooray!!!

Then right after Christmas vacation on January 3rd 2018 my daughter received an e-mail serving as a Letter of Assurance for appointment into the class of 2022 for the USNA pending medical review. Hooray Again!!!

We had no awareness of any issues, but she logged onto DODMETs and it said pending follow up remedial of Urinalysis with microscopic examination. Apparently they just did a urinalysis without microscopic exam at the initial DODMERB physical exam. We promptly scheduled this appointment and had a repeat urinalysis with microscopic examination done.

Then on January 25th 2018 she received a letter from DODMERB stating she was DQ due to excessive hearing loss. This was shocking to us! We have no family history of hearing loss and we’ve never noticed any hearing loss in my daughter.

In fact, she had an annual physical exam on October 9th 2017 (just a week or two after her initial DODMERB physical exam – Sept 2017) at her regular physician and during this exam they had done and audiology exam and had not detected any hearing loss. In her medical records for the audiometry results on October 9th 2017 it reads:
Left ear: dB threshold at 500-4000 Hz 25 decibels before 1st tone heard.
Right ear: dB threshold at 500-4000 Hz, 25 decibels before 1st tone heard.

I called her USNA assigned medical technician and told her that we were unaware of any hearing loss in my daughter and told her about her October 2017 results as well as results from a May 2017 physical exam. Her USNA medical technician said she would need to have a more recent audiology exam to be done so they could review the results. So we scheduled her to have another audiology exam with her personal physician on March 6th 2018 which she again passed with the same audiometry results:
Left ear: dB threshold at 500-4000 Hz 25 decibels before 1st tone heard.
Right ear: dB threshold at 500-4000 Hz, 25 decibels before 1st tone heard.

We faxed medical records from her personal physician from all of her physical exams (May 27th 2015, October 9th 2017 and most recent March 6th 2018) all showing audiometry results:
Left ear: dB threshold at 500-4000 Hz 25 decibels before 1st tone heard.
Right ear: dB threshold at 500-4000 Hz, 25 decibels before 1st tone heard.

On March 12th 2018 she was issued a letter from DODMERB that at the request of the USNA they had re-evaluated her medical records and were requesting a follow-up formal audiogram preferable to be completed with a Concord contracted provider through DODMETs.

They said the medical records we had provided were insufficient because they did not provide individual frequency results 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 3000Hz, or 4000Hz and the individual decibel results for each frequency.

I called and asked if there was a time frame of when this needed to be completed by and if this would affect her letter of assurance. They said they would hold the spot until this issue was cleared up, but that there were timelines that this needed to cleared-up by, but they could not give me these dates. They also told me that the review had used up one of her allowed reviews and that she only had one more opportunity to get this cleared up. From what I have read online, the waiver authority generally doesn’t give waivers for reports of hearing loss.

We are frantically working to schedule a repeat of the formal audiogram through DODMETs and Concorde and are trying to get that done ASAP.

I was considering taking my daughter to an ENT specialist to have a formal audiogram for our own information and to confirm ourselves that there are no issues with hearing loss.

Her mom and I (mostly me) are panicking about this. It is my daughter’s dream to attend the USNA. I am suspicious there might have been an error on the recording of her initial DODMERB exam? We’ve not been able to get a copy of the results of the initial DODMERB exam, but were told that one of the results of her initial DODMERB exam audiogram had right ear was deficient with 45 decibels @ 4000Hz which was the reason for the initial DQ.

When she had her initial DODMERB exam my wife had asked for copies of the exam results and was told by the doctor’s office that they do not give the results to the candidate or candidate’s parents at the time. We called the doctor’s office back about a month ago to see if we could get a copy of her medical records and again were told that they were not allowed to provide the results to the candidate or candidate’s parents.

If she is DQ’d we assume she would lose her spot at the USNA and this would be so heartbreaking.
Would this prevent her from re-applying again for class of 2023?
Is there any way to get a copy of the initial DODMERB exam?
Would it be of any value to take her to an ENT specialist to also repeat formal audiogram?

Any recommendations and thoughts you might have would be so greatly appreciated.

Also, all prayers and warm wishes for a successful repeat formal audiogram when we get that scheduled would be much welcomed.

Thanks so much from our family.
 
Okay. Take a deep breath.
She received an LOA. What this means is that USNA wants her to be in the class of 2022.
On March 12th, USNA requested a follow-up hearing test performed by a DoD-approved (Concordia) doctor.
What this means is that USNA wants her in the class of 2022.
There are candidates right now (like your DD) that do NOT have offers of appointment. They will receive offers through April. (occasionally even into May and June).
Those that have offers already, have until May 1st to accept or decline those offers.

This is not a desperate situation. It feels like it, but it is not. I know, easy for me to say!
It will be stressful waiting for that hearing test appointment to be scheduled, but DoDMERB will see that it gets done.
Only eight (8) days have passed since the request from USNA.
If she isn't contacted today, it would be perfectly okay for DD to send a short EMail to her USNA Admissions Counselor.
This would just be to let them know that she is waiting for the hearing test appointment, and to see if there's a holdup somewhere.

As to having a hearing test done in the interim - you are free to do that - if it makes you feel better.
The fact of the matter is, it was probably reported wrong originally. If she had a disqualifying hearing issue, you probably would have noticed signs of it already.
 
Hi THParent.

Thank you so much for your very comforting words!

"it was probably reported wrong originally" - that is what I am thinking too. We've never noticed any such issues before. I sure would like to just see what the results look like.

Anyways, we'll try to get this repeat audiology exam completed ASAP with our fingers crossed.

I'll keep you posted with what the process is and the final results are.

Again, I can't thank you enough for the very kind and comforting words. Feel free to just keep repeating them to me... LoL...
 
my son was DQ'd due to 'hearing loss' and we were also stunned. took him to a Doctor of Audiology and told her exactly what DoDMERB needed. turned this in and DoDMERB removed the DQ. however, if they requested that your D go to a specific place to re-test, i would certainly make sure to go there. posting this for those that need hearing test/ear wax removal as it was much easier to make an appointment with the audiologist than ENT office.
 
Her mom and I (mostly me) are panicking about this. It is my daughter’s dream to attend the USNA. I am suspicious there might have been an error on the recording of her initial DODMERB exam? We’ve not been able to get a copy of the results of the initial DODMERB exam, but were told that one of the results of her initial DODMERB exam audiogram had right ear was deficient with 45 decibels @ 4000Hz which was the reason for the initial DQ.

The standard at the DODMERB level at 4000Hz is 55db. The USN has the same standard listed in their MANMED (Manual of Medical Department).

I'm not sure where the DQ is coming from. It could be from the other frequencies:
"Pure tone at 500, 1000, and 2000 cycles per second for each ear of not more than 30 decibels (dB) on the average with no individual level greater than 35 dB at those frequencies."

The initial audiogram could have been a "false positive." Your DS could have had a head cold. She could have been exposed to lots of loud noise before the exam. She could have had some wax in her ear. Lots of things can make someone fail the hearing test when they otherwise have normal hearing. I am hoping the hearing tech (or whoever does the exam) makes sure her ear canals are clear before putting her in the booth. I would also keep her from being exposed to loud noise a couple days before the exam.

IF she does fail the exam, then focus your efforts on getting her to an ENT doctor to find out why her hearing is the way it is especially if her hearing loss is only in one ear. She shouldn't be failing the published hearing standards at such a young age.
 
Does the DODMERB request give you the option to see your own specialist (at your expense)? DS had a DQ for another issue. The letter stated we had 3 choices; a military hospital, a Concord contractor, or our own physician/specialist (at our expense). We used our own doctor. We were in and out within a few weeks and had the DQ cleared within 10 days.
 
Does the DODMERB request give you the option to see your own specialist (at your expense)? DS had a DQ for another issue. The letter stated we had 3 choices; a military hospital, a Concord contractor, or our own physician/specialist (at our expense). We used our own doctor. We were in and out within a few weeks and had the DQ cleared within 10 days.

Yes it says we have those three options. It also says the preferred option is to use their Concorde contracted provider. So that's what we'e doing.

She seems to hear just fine and the medical records (three hearing tests May 2015, Oct 2017 and March 2018) from her personal pediatrician sure seem to support that her hearing is fine. They just don't provide the results in the required format.

I'm tinking it was an error in the initial DODMERB audiogram. Without seeing the results specifically it is hard to figure out. If it was a single ear, at a single tone/frequency that would make me wonder if the result was actually recorded incorrectly. It happens...
 
I wanted to give you all an update.

We took my daughter to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist today because I wanted to know for sure there was nothing wrong.

The ENT specialist did a comprehensive work up and told us that she has almost perfect hearing.
The ENT specialist is in complete agreement with me that an error (transcription or recording) likely occurred at our daughter's initial DODMERB exam.

Her results from today's visit:
250Hz 10db R, 10db L
500Hz 5db R, 10db L
1000Hz 5db R, 5db L
2000Hz 5 db R, 10db L
3000Hz 5bd R, 5db L
4000Hz 5 db R, 5dbL
8000 Hz 5db R, 5db L

We still have not received a call back from Concorde to schedule the DODMERB exam. We have left two messages on their voice mail for scheduling remedials. Hopefully they Concorde doesn't try to send us back to the place that goofed up the initial DODMERB exam!

We will have the ENT specialists medical records sent to DODMERB the middle of next week after they are completed.

Maybe the officials at DODMERB after reviewing my daughters pediatrician's records with 3 separate audiometry assessments (2015, 2017, & 2018) stating no hearing loss combined with the ENT specialist's medical records showing no hearing loss and almost perfect hearing will realize or agree an error likely occurred at the first DODMERB exam and remove the DQ based on the records we've provided.

Anyways, we are less panicking now.

I'll continue to keep you updated as we continue to fight this battle.
 
I enjoyed reading this thread and admire your spirit and your family’s dedication. We pray that all is fine and your daughter can move on to her Appointment and join my son in the class of 2022. What is your Congressional District? Your daughter will be just fine. And congrats on the LOA. That’s a sure thing once this thin wall clears!
 
I for one, appreciate you updating this. Let us know how it goes with DoDMERB!
 
I enjoyed reading this thread and admire your spirit and your family’s dedication. We pray that all is fine and your daughter can move on to her Appointment and join my son in the class of 2022. What is your Congressional District? Your daughter will be just fine. And congrats on the LOA. That’s a sure thing once this thin wall clears!

Thanks so much for the kind words and the prayers CrewDad. We're in South Texas, Congressional District 34.

Fingers crossed all goes well these next couple weeks and DODMERB removes the DQ and we get to meet at I-Day in June 2018!
 
I wanted to give you all an update.

We took my daughter to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist today because I wanted to know for sure there was nothing wrong.

The ENT specialist did a comprehensive work up and told us that she has almost perfect hearing.
The ENT specialist is in complete agreement with me that an error (transcription or recording) likely occurred at our daughter's initial DODMERB exam.

Her results from today's visit:
250Hz 10db R, 10db L
500Hz 5db R, 10db L
1000Hz 5db R, 5db L
2000Hz 5 db R, 10db L
3000Hz 5bd R, 5db L
4000Hz 5 db R, 5dbL
8000 Hz 5db R, 5db L

We still have not received a call back from Concorde to schedule the DODMERB exam. We have left two messages on their voice mail for scheduling remedials. Hopefully they Concorde doesn't try to send us back to the place that goofed up the initial DODMERB exam!

We will have the ENT specialists medical records sent to DODMERB the middle of next week after they are completed.

Maybe the officials at DODMERB after reviewing my daughters pediatrician's records with 3 separate audiometry assessments (2015, 2017, & 2018) stating no hearing loss combined with the ENT specialist's medical records showing no hearing loss and almost perfect hearing will realize or agree an error likely occurred at the first DODMERB exam and remove the DQ based on the records we've provided.

Anyways, we are less panicking now.

I'll continue to keep you updated as we continue to fight this battle.

My DS was caught up in a four week delay with a completely different misdiagnosis. We let DS advocate with DoDMERB (learning experience), but my husband and I had to clamp down and get a supervisor involved. The entire process was extremely stressful because we were worried something was actually wrong with DS. I sought out the best specialist in our area, and then as soon as the med report was available, I faxed it immediately over to DoDMERB and made sure it was in their hands and followed up regularly. DS’s portal finally was coded as “do not call—under review” and finally it was cleared up. It’s an extremely aggravating situation trying to prove that nothing is wrong!! Hang in there.
 
Update: After submitting the Ear, Nose and Throats specialists medical records my daughter also sent in a request for the disqualification to be removed. Subsequently DODMERB granted my daughter a medical waiver.

During this whole ordeal we got in touch with a company named DODMERB Consultants that helped us in reviewing my daughters medical records and also agreed with us that a mistake was made with the initial DODMERB exam and helped our daughter draft the letter to request removal of the disqualification. The consultant let us know that they likely would likely be granted a waiver instead of removing the DQ. Apparently they used to remove DQs, but now they just grant medical waivers instead.

So, now her status has been changed to medical waiver granted. I think now we are just waiting for the "Permit to Report" packet from the USNA. Once we get that, we'll be getting that completed ASAP and sending in.

Anyways, I wanted to update all and thank you all for your support and warm wishes and kind words.

I'll let you all know what happens next.

Thanks so much from our family.
 
I’m glad she’s headed to USNA this Summer! I wish I would’ve seen this thread sooner as I could have offered some words of reassurance. I also was granted a waiver for slight hearing loss in my right ear. Congratulations to your daughter!
 
So, her status should change to "Fully Qualified Offer of Appointment" with a link to "Accept Offer".
Congrats to your DS. @rontyler !
 
Exactly as you said THParent. Status was changed to "Fully Qualified Offer of Appointment" with a link to "Accept Offer". The day before this status changed online she got a letter from the US Navy that she was granted a waiver and that upon graduation from the USNA she would receive a commission for "Unrestricted Line" as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps.

Today we got this attached certificate in the mail in a really nice Navy blue portfolio.

The daughter has taken a form to the local police department and sheriff's office for the initial background check. Also signed a body modification statement.
I guess the permit to report packet should be coming soon too.

My daughter is so excited and we're so happy and excited for her too.

Anyways, thanks so much to you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.

Go Navy!
USNA 3 NAMEOUT.jpg USNA 1.jpg
 
I love it when a plan comes together.

Congratulations to your DD and you, @rontyler !
 
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