Hey all,
Recently diagnosed with a 1cm AN and have seen several Doc's. So far we have decided to go watch and wait. Seeing as these thing typically grow and I may eventually need surgery to remove my AN, is there a way to "fix" SSD. My career requires some hearing in my AN ear, meaning I have to have good hearing in the non AN ear and something in the other one. I also know that surgery carries the risk of SSD. My question is; Is there a way to fix SSD enough so that I can carry on in my profession? Will the hearing aid options cover any/all complications with surgery?
To be specific these are the requirements "The medical evaluation shall minimally include audiograms performed in a sound-treated booth compliant with the most recent version of ANSI S3.1 (Criteria for permissible ambient noise during audiometric testing) with equipment calibrated to the most recent version of ANSI standard S3.6 (Specification for Audiometers). If a booth is unavailable, the test room sound pressure levels should not exceed those specified in the Federal OSHA “Audiometric test rooms” standard (29 CFR 1910.95, Appendix D).
1. Category A medical conditions shall include:
Hearing deficit in pure tone thresholds in both ears, the deficit in each ear averaging 35 dB HL or worse at 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz,
Candidates failing the Category A pure tone threshold standard and who still wish to be considered for appointment will be required to have follow-up examinations that include:
full audiological examination, including speech reception threshold (SRT) and speech discrimination testing (NU-6 word lists) in both ears individually,
AND
full otological examination.
In order to pass they must demonstrate:
Pure tone thresholds in better ear indicating average hearing deficit at 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz to be lower than 35 dB HL,
AND
Performance score of 80% or better on the speech discrimination test in the better ear.
HEARING AIDS:
Initial hearing examinations must take place unaided.
Candidates who cannot pass the initial examination should be referred to a licensed audiologist for the follow-up examination. Candidates may use hearing aids for the follow-up examination. Candidates using hearing aids must pass the follow-up examination based on sound field-testing, using the criteria listed above.
2. Category B medical conditions shall include:
a. perforated tympanum,
b. auditory canal - atresia, severe stenosis, or tumor,
c. severe external otitis,
d. auricle - severe agenesis or traumatic deformity,
e. mastoid - severe mastoiditis or surgical deformity,
f. Meniere's disease, labyrinthitis or any disorder of equilibrium,
g. otitis media,
h. any other hearing disorder or ear condition that results in an individual not being able to safely and effectively perform the job of police officer. "
