Hearing DQ

[arosu13]

Hi! I intend on enrolling in Army ROTC this Fall as a freshman. I already started my dodmerb as I was initially applying to USMA, but I have a DQ for my right ear. I can only hear 25% ish in it, but my other ear makes up for it and meets Army regulations, according to my ear surgeon who did some research. I also have a letter from her, stating this. It seems I cannot find any clear answers, as the dodmerb physical deemed me medically disqualified on that end. I also have a physical anomaly on my right ear- it's very minor now, just a little thicker than my left after plastic surgery. But dodmerb claims it will "restrict the wearing of headgear", which I cannot believe.

Does anyone have experience in dealing with hearing or (slight) physical anomaly DQs? ROTC is my future and I don't know what I would do if I couldn't get a waiver. I've done AFJROTC and played contact sports in high school, and overall gone through everything with no problems.

 

[GoCubbies]

It's hard to provide advice on hearing DQs without the actual numbers. Can you provide the decibels at the following frequencies for right and left ears: 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000?

Also, did the doctor have any concerns about your hearing loss being only on one side?

 

[arosu13]

It's hard to provide advice on hearing DQs without the actual numbers. Can you provide the decibels at the following frequencies for right and left ears: 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000?

Also, did the doctor have any concerns about your hearing loss being only on one side?

For my right ear, at 500, 1000, and 2000, my audiometer readings were at 0. The average for my left was 50dB. The average for both is 20 dB, which my doctor claimed to be well within the audiometer averages required under "hearing and ear level H." My doctor didn't really have concerns about my hearing loss being only on one side as it is not progressive.

 

[GoCubbies]

It's hard to provide advice on hearing DQs without the actual numbers. Can you provide the decibels at the following frequencies for right and left ears: 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000?

Also, did the doctor have any concerns about your hearing loss being only on one side?

For my right ear, at 500, 1000, and 2000, my audiometer readings were at 0. The average for my left was 50dB. The average for both is 20 dB, which my doctor claimed to be well within the audiometer averages required under "hearing and ear level H." My doctor didn't really have concerns about my hearing loss being only on one side as it is not progressive.

Unfortunately, I would need the exact dB at each of the frequencies on the right and left to be able to give an decent answer to your original question. Plus, if I know the exact numbers, the pattern on the audiogram can suggest a possible cause for the hearing loss. You can't be any worse than 35dB at 500, 1000, or 2000Hz. In addition, you must be no worse than 45dB at 3000Hz and 55dB at 4000Hz. The fact you have an average of 50dB suggests you may not meet the standard at a couple of the frequencies. I haven't seen anyone get an accession waiver for not meeting the hearing standards unless they're in a high-demand specialty like anesthesiology, psychiatry, and neurosurgery.

If there is any way to get an evaluation by a military ENT specialist, then that might help in terms of assessing if the anatomical abnormality of your right ear is truly DQ.