Hearing information (H1, H2, H3, testing, waivers)

[Guest JMR12483]

I have looked around and I cannot find what constitutes H1 hearing and what consstitutes H2 hearing. Anyone have any insight or can point me to a reference?

[Guest P27:17]

Here is the AFI 48-123 reference...

A3.1. H-1 Profile. The H-1 profile qualifies applicants for Flying Classes I and IA, initial Flying Class II

and III, AF Academy, special operational duty, and selected career fields as noted in AFMAN 36-2108,

Enlisted Classification.

A3.1.1. Definition: Unaided hearing loss in either ear with no single value greater than:

Hz: 500 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000

dB: 25 25 25 35 45 45

A3.2. H-2 Profile. The H-2 profile qualifies for AF enlistment, commission, initial Space and Missile

Operations duty, and continued special operational duty, but requires evaluation for continued flying (See

AFI 48-123V3, A4.4).

A3.2.1. Definition: Unaided hearing loss in either ear with no single value greater than:

Hz: 500 1000 2000 3000 4000 6000

dB: 35 35 35 45 55 ---

A3.3. H-3 Profile. The H-3 profile is disqualifying for enlistment, and civilian commission. It requires

evaluation and MAJCOM waiver for continued flying, and Audiology evaluation for fitness for continued

active duty.

A3.3.1. Definition: An H-3 profile is any loss that exceeds the values noted above in the definition of

an H-2 profile.

A3.4. H-4 Profile. The H-4 profile requires a Medical Evaluation Board.

A3.4.1. Definition: Hearing loss sufficient to preclude safe and effective performance of duty, regardless

of level of pure tone hearing loss, and despite use of hearing aids. This degree of hearing loss is

disqualifying for all military duty.

Good luck

[Guest WILLIO]

Anyone have H2 hearing with a waiver for UPT? I know they give them but I want to chat with a few folks who have been through this so I can lead turn everything. Thanks in advance! Lata

[Guest P27:17]

When you had your IFC 1, did they get an audiology/ENT eval? They should have...after that, it's sit back and wait for the waiver decision.

Good luck

[Guest ronmoyers]

I had a 50 at the 4000 mhz level in one ear. Had all of my audiology workups done and everything came back clean. Everyone thought that I was a sure thing when it came to the waiver but no dice......guess that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. I have not given up but I am also a bit old to be trying to fight it (29 in January) so I'm about out of options.

[Wigs]

Not sure if this is still true (but it probably is), as of mid 2004, the upt base flight docs had a waiver from the AETC/SG to give out waivers for hearing on the initial FC2 (which still requires H1). That could potentially help you out a lot if you made it past the FC1.

[ViperDriver77]

I start UPT tomorrow and during my medical exam today I scored an H2 in my right ear. AFI 48-123 states that for "trained assets an H-2 profile alone does not require waiver" but I'm not yet trained and it doesn't say anything about people already selected awaiting training. Is this something that will require a waiver and if so, is that something the Flight Surgeons at CAFB can do or will it have to go through Brooks?

[Guest uscmas412]

I'm a NAV select for the 07-01 OTS board. I went for my FC1A last Wednesday and discovered that I have H2 hearing:

500 = 15 500 = 20

1000 = 10 1000 = 15

2000 = 0 2000 = 30

3000 = -5 3000 = 30

4000 = 5 4000 = 45

6000 = 10 6000 = 40

I'm missing the H1 profile only in the 2000 frequency range in one ear. I go to the audiologist on May 2nd for a closer inspection; I plan on wearing earplugs for 72 hours beforehand. Is there anything else I should be aware of? The doctor said I had a "pretty good" chance of a waiver since I'm borderline H1. I'm hoping I go to the audiologist and pass all frequencies.

[Guest P27:17]

I'm a NAV select for the 07-01 OTS board. I went for my FC1A last Wednesday and discovered that I have H2 hearing:

500 = 15 500 = 20

1000 = 10 1000 = 15

2000 = 0 2000 = 30

3000 = -5 3000 = 30

4000 = 5 4000 = 45

6000 = 10 6000 = 40

I'm missing the H1 profile only in the 2000 frequency range in one ear. I go to the audiologist on May 2nd for a closer inspection; I plan on wearing earplugs for 72 hours beforehand. Is there anything else I should be aware of? The doctor said I had a "pretty good" chance of a waiver since I'm borderline H1. I'm hoping I go to the audiologist and pass all frequencies.

Stay away from the ipods and any other potential sources of loud or impact noises. You also have asymmetric hearing (a difference of of 25 dbs or more between the 2 ears). You may also need an ENT eval.Both conditions (H-2 and asymmetric hearing) are waiverable.

Good luck

[Guest uscmas412]

Stay away from the ipods and any other potential sources of loud or impact noises. You also have asymmetric hearing (a difference of of 25 dbs or more between the 2 ears). You may also need an ENT eval.Both conditions (H-2 and asymmetric hearing) are waiverable.

Good luck

Are my chances good with asymmetric hearing?

[Guest P27:17]

Depends on the finding from the audiology/ENT evals. If it is stable, progressive, or resulting from a disease process. Typically it's waiverable if the evals are normal.

[Guest uscmas412]

Do different types of waivers have different timelines for approval or are they approved/denied on a case by case scenario?

[Guest Rage_:P]

Sometimes more information is needed thus delaying the waiver. but once all the information is in it is a very quick process.

[Guest uscmas412]

Well, the audiologist confirmed what flight medicine found. However, he said that I have conductive hearing loss and that the nerve is not damaged--some physical feature is messed up between my eardrum and cochlea. He recommended that I see an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Does this hurt/help my chances at a waiver? Does it really not matter?

[Guest dabhand]

So here's my question for an H2 profile....is this a waiverable item for an officer APPLICANT? Meaning, I am age critical for OTS, so I had my FC1 conducted before my package goes to the board. Now I'm trying to get a waiver after they determined H2 profile in my right ear. Any instances of this happening?

[Guest Rage_:P]

So, two answers --

first, for the thread initiator:

uscmas412 -- it actually does matter...and it is better that it is conductive than neurological. still...probability is good for a waiver.

now, for the thread stealer:

dabhand -- lets look at uscmas412's original post...and I quote, "I am a NAV select for the 07-01 OTS board..." Does that answer you question?

[Guest Houpilot2001]

Ok, guys, back to the forums again, its been a couple of years of lurking around. It was hard after my slot was cancelled for hearing loss. Anyways, Im classified as H3 hearing loss because of flying my whole life without hearing protection , shooting guns, etc. youve heard it all. Anyways, what I was curious about was having surgery done on my ears to bring me back to alteast and H2 or hopefully H1. Has anyone done this or heard about it? Is it a disqualifier? Questions and comments please.

Edited July 5, 2007 by Toro

[Guest P27:17]

Ok, guys, back to the forums again, its been a couple of years of lurking around. It was hard after my slot was cancelled for hearing loss. Anyways, Im classified as H3 hearing loss because of flying my whole life without hearing protection , shooting guns, etc. youve heard it all. Anyways, what I was curious about was having surgery done on my ears to bring me back to alteast and H2 or hopefully H1. Has anyone done this or heard about it? Is it a disqualifier? Questions and comments please.

OK, I'm not a doc, but to my knowledge there is no surgery out there that will bring your hearing back to an H-2 or H-1. If there is, I and several others would be interested in what it is...H-3 will not likely get a waiver going in...H-2 is very good depending on the variables surronding your hearing problem.

[Guest usaf918]

I currently have an FAA Class II Medical and can get a Class I no problem. I am Commercial AMEL, ASEL and Instrument Airplane (obviously no problem flying and a serious commitment to aviation) however I am worried that I may not pass the hearing portion of the Flying Class I physical. Is there anything that is done differently for people who have an FAA Medical? Are some tests passed automatically? Also if not I know there are waivers for hearing dependent on the hearing loss, but I am wondering what the best way to go about getting it done. I know a C-17 pilot who had 1/3 the breathing capability during his physical as a normal person, got his chest cut open as a child and got a waiver for that somehow. I can fly planes and hear ATC fine, cockpit fine, you name it, but sometimes have a hard time hearing tones on hearing tests. What can be done?

[brabus]

Well just b/c you "have trouble hearing tones" may not mean anything bad. There's obviously limits beyond which you'd need a waiver, but you may not be as bad as you think you are. I would think this is probably not a huge issue unless you're hearing is massively horrible, but hopefully one of the docs can give you the straight answer. I just wouldn't start worry a ton quite yet...that's all.

[Guest awfltdoc]

Yeah, I wouldn't get to worked up about it yet. If and when you go for your FCI physical, wear some soft squishy ear plugs the night before (sleep in them), and don't listen to loud music/noise the next day when you go get the physical. You'll probably do fine.

Edited September 30, 2007 by awfltdoc

[JeepGuyC17]

during the test, take really slow, shallow breaths. If you can hear yourself breathing it can mask some of the fainter tones.

[Guest Sparky]

during the test, take really slow, shallow breaths. If you can hear yourself breathing it can mask some of the fainter tones.

This may sound but close your eyes as well during the test, it really improved my scores when having problems with the tones. Also...don't press the headset up against your ears with your hands...you will have your pulse from your hands competing with the tones. I have done these tests for the past 17 years and these tips have helped maintain my baseline.

cheers,

Sparky

[Bluto]

This may sound but close your eyes as well during the test, it really improved my scores when having problems with the tones. Also...don't press the headset up against your ears with your hands...you will have your pulse from your hands competing with the tones. I have done these tests for the past 17 years and these tips have helped maintain my baseline.

cheers,

Sparky

I do the same thing and usually do fine on the test even though I feel like I have some hearing loss or maybe it's just selective hearing with the wife!

I got a little pissed during my last test. After a few minutes in the booth it seemed like the test was repeating itself so I waited a little longer and finally 10 min passed so I started hitting the door. Nobody came so I finally opened the door and the room was empty. I walked out in the hallway and found a SSgt at his desk and asked him what the hell was going on. Apparently the A1C left for lunch and forgot to tell someone I was in the booth. Holy shit was I pissed! Everyone apologized and I got a phone call from the A1C apologizing as well.

[HerkNav]

I currently have an FAA Class II Medical and can get a Class I no problem. I am Commercial AMEL, ASEL and Instrument Airplane (obviously no problem flying and a serious commitment to aviation) however I am worried that I may not pass the hearing portion of the Flying Class I physical. Is there anything that is done differently for people who have an FAA Medical? Are some tests passed automatically? Also if not I know there are waivers for hearing dependent on the hearing loss, but I am wondering what the best way to go about getting it done. I know a C-17 pilot who had 1/3 the breathing capability during his physical as a normal person, got his chest cut open as a child and got a waiver for that somehow. I can fly planes and hear ATC fine, cockpit fine, you name it, but sometimes have a hard time hearing tones on hearing tests. What can be done?

Take sparky's advice and just stay calm through the whole thing. I ended up not being able to hear the 500Hz tone in my right ear and got a waiver. If you're hearing loss is too great or the see something abmormal they will send you to an audiologist and get it checked out. Hope it all goes well.

Cheers,

Matt