Can I be an air traffic controller with a severe hearing loss in one ear?
curious1234 asked:
I’m interested in becoming an air traffic controller however I was reading the medical requirements and it said that I would have to have a hearing loss of no greater than 25 dbs in a variety of frequencies. I’m functionally deaf in my left ear but my right ear is fine and no one can tell without me telling them. Not sure if appeals for this kind of hearing loss is considered.
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I’m interested in becoming an air traffic controller however I was reading the medical requirements and it said that I would have to have a hearing loss of no greater than 25 dbs in a variety of frequencies. I’m functionally deaf in my left ear but my right ear is fine and no one can tell without me telling them. Not sure if appeals for this kind of hearing loss is considered.
June 1st, 2010 at 9:59 am
I found this on the link i have posted
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK and pass security clearance before starting work. Candidates must also possess a high standard of:
* fitness;
* eyesight (contact lenses or glasses are allowed within certain specified limits);
* colour vision;
* hearing;
* clear diction. Leo
June 3rd, 2010 at 6:41 am
I am sure it will rule you out as they will be looking for the best they can get. They have plenty of applicants to pick from so if you and three others do really well at interview and the aptitude tests, they will naturally pick the ones with perfect hearing.
Also it is a very busy complex environment and you may find just one ear would leave you at a disadvantage.
But you will not know for sure unless you make an approach and ask on an informal basis it is an issue. Do they offer informal pre training visits? Monstermunch
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Actually, you would/could qualify for the required second class medical and there fore eligible (from a medical standpoint) to be a controller. All you have to do is pass a “whisper test”. Using BOTH ears (not one at a time!), you must be able to hear with you back turned to the examiner.
Dont let the naysayers ^ (that dont know squat about the real aviation
world) dissuade you! dumbasspilot
June 7th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Highly unlikely I’m afraid - and the “whisper test” mentioned above is plain ridiculous.
ATC headsets are wired so that aircraft frequencies come into one ear and landline telephone calls come into the other, therefore you need good hearing in both ears independently.
Go get a hearing test and ask the CAA if the results are acceptable. Ian L