My husband is in the Marines and worried he will be discharged for his hearing loss, how can I find more out?
Jessica asked:
He works on the cobras and hueys in aviation and his hearing has gotten even worse due to the loud noises. He wears his hearing protection but we tried to find out more online about this subject from the Marine side of things (they are different from the other branches on most subjects). If you were ever in or currently are in the Marine Corps please help me with this. Thanks!
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He works on the cobras and hueys in aviation and his hearing has gotten even worse due to the loud noises. He wears his hearing protection but we tried to find out more online about this subject from the Marine side of things (they are different from the other branches on most subjects). If you were ever in or currently are in the Marine Corps please help me with this. Thanks!
January 21st, 2010 at 11:51 am
“how can i find out more” would be proper grammar. The Fool on the Hill
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Shout at him. sidsid
January 26th, 2010 at 3:42 am
If he FLIES in the things he will at the very least have to pass a Class III flying physical. There is a hearing test as part of the physical. If he can not pass the Class III due to hearing loss, he will be grounded. At that point they will make a determination if his hearing loss is sufficient to also discharge him from the service.
If he just “works on Cobras” as a mechanic then the flying physical issue does not come up. Then what will happen is he will get a hearing test in 1-3 years as part of his routine care. If he has a hearing loss that is significant then they could recommend a medical separation or retirement. It depends upon how it effects his ability to do his duty.
What he needs to do is find out what are the physical standards for retention. Then he needs to find out if he meets them or not. If he does not meet them, he can ask for a waiver. If he has a job skill that they really need, they may give him the waiver. USAFisnumber1
January 26th, 2010 at 5:19 am
These are the current medical standards for hearing:
Current hearing threshold level in either ear greater than that described below is disqualifying:
(1) 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.
(2) Pure tone level not more than 45 dB at 3000 cycles per second or 55 dB at 4000 cycles per second for each ear.
(3) There is no standard for 6000 cycles per second.
If his hearing gets worse than he could be discharged. If that happens, and this is the important part, he MUST file for compensation from the VA. He should do this though a Veterans Service Officer at the DAV or VFW. They will be his advocate and they know the ins and outs of the VA claims process. They will also make sure that he is getting all the benfits he is entitled to. Mr Puma
January 26th, 2010 at 5:57 am
Tell him to go to a civilian doctor and pay for the expenses out of his own pocket. If you explain the situation to the civilian doctor they will work with him to determine if his hearing is within USMC requirements. If it is not, it is possible that it is non permanent and he can develope a care plan with his civilian doctor.
The DAV (Department of American Veterans) is a good resource also. Usually there are quite a few experienced vets who will be able to help your husband resolve this situation to his satisfaction.
Semper Fi dvldogg187