When it gets punctured or perforated the military will disqualify you from service. The tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, is a delicate part of your hearing that you need to protect. You also cannot have a history of using a hearing aid to rely on proper hearing. Greater than a pure tone level of not more than 55 dB at 4,000 cycles per second.Greater than a pure tone level of not more than 45 dB at 3,000 cycles per second.You also need to make yourself aware that a current hearing threshold level in either ear is disqualifying if: The current military standards for all branches mandate the following:Ī hearing threshold level in either ear of greater than a pure tone of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 cycles per second for each ear of not more than 30 decibels with no individual level of greater than 35 dB at those frequencies.Īny hearing test which fails to meet those guidelines is disqualifying. However, the military standards for hearing are not extremely selective which means you still might pass the physical exam with some hearing loss.Īll you need is normal hearing levels that prove you don’t need to read lips, utilize a hearing aid, or speak through sign language. The military tests your hearing to make sure you are able to perceive sounds without the use of a device like a hearing aid. Military also considers microtia (a deformity of the external ear) and chronic otitis externa grounds for disqualification. The military studies congenital defects like atresia, or the abnormal narrowing of an opening or passage in the body. Therefore, any malformation of the ear is grounds for disqualification. It is mandatory that you wear military headgear without it interfering with the proper fit and use of the equipment for safety reasons.
The military begins by taking a physical examination of the ear before it judges your hearing. Here are some of the most important rules of military hearing requirements and disqualifications: Physical Examination The Armed Forces test a variety of conditions during a medical examination including your dental and hearing health.Īny hearing issues that prevent suitable hearing or prevents a person from correctly wearing protective headwear (helmet, face protection, etc) can be disqualifying. Service members also are subject to a Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) while on active-duty. The military requires new recruits to go through a medical exam at a Military Entrance Processing Station, commonly referred to as MEPS. Armed Forces make it mandatory to have dependable hearing, namely because of the unusual threats and dangers associated with the military. Infections can also contribute to hearing loss. Hearing loss is attributed to several factors including heredity, congenital conditions, presbycusis, and acquired problems from long-term exposure to loud noises or chemicals. This may impact your quality of life, yet it doesn’t force you to have to rely on hearing aids or sign language. In fact, many people live with mild to moderate hearing loss. It’s important to remember that not all types of hearing loss indicate that someone is deaf. Though hearing tests are not 100% accurate, they can usually detect some form of hearing loss. The tests measure hearing thresholds by examining recognition of different frequencies. Hearing loss is a frustrating issue for people of all ages as it impacts one of the traditional five senses.Īuditory science determines the quality of your hearing through behavioral tests like ABR or OAE. Related Article – 20 Health Conditions That May Disqualify You From Military Military Hearing Requirements Military hearing requirements insist that you only have moderate levels of hearing loss to be “fit for service”. Throughout this article, we’ll discuss conditions such as tinnitus, Meniere’s Syndrome, Mastoiditis, Ear Infections, as well as touch on what to expect from the hearing test at MEPS. Proper hearing is essential to receiving orders and perceiving situations on the battlefield.īefore you enlist, make sure that you are aware of military hearing requirements and disqualifications.
The military enforces hearing requirements as part of the qualifications for enlistment.
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