Hearing loss

P

Pilot-C

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Mar 16, 2025
Messages
4
Location
Argentina
Display Name
Boeing Pilot
Hi everyone, and doctors here…
I’m an airline pilot, flight instructor as well, in my 50’s … have hearing loss beyond audiometry limits in frequencies of 2000, 3000 and 4000 more in the left ear, stable condition thru the years … been passing class 1 with AME only with conversation. Now regulations have changed in my country and audiometry is mandatory (I know I do not pass it). In private medical checks also thru many years I’ve been ok with logoudiometry reaching 100% with around 35 and 45 db. I use Bose A20 for flying and have no functional problems communicating.
Shall I worry when the AME asks for an audiometry? Local regulations are more ICAO aligned.
Thanks in advance.
 
US private pilot with hearing loss, had class3 med that stated “requires hearing amplification”, or something to that effect. My AME said “you’re going to be wearing a headset…that qualifies for amplification”.
 
robin ardoin said:
US private pilot with hearing loss, had class3 med that stated “requires hearing amplification”, or something to that effect. My AME said “you’re going to be wearing a headset…that qualifies for amplification”.
Click to expand...
Exactly. My AME didn't bother testing my hearing when he found out I had aids. I probably could have passed the "talk to me while you're standing where I can't see your lips" test. Mine is pretty asymetric. But anyhow, I always have my aids in and the restriction is pretty lame when it comes to my flying. It might be different if I was flying planes where I didn't need to use the intercom to talk to the other occupants of the plane.
 
robin ardoin said:
US private pilot with hearing loss, had class3 med that stated “requires hearing amplification”, or something to that effect. My AME said “you’re going to be wearing a headset…that qualifies for amplification”.
Click to expand...
I agree… in my case is a class 1, and maybe requirements are higher. Maybe if here are AME’s reading their opinion would be useful
 
The Lightspeed Delta Zulu headset can be programmed to boost specific frequencies for each ear. I was really interested and actually bought one of these headsets at AirVenture Oshkosh last year. I returned the headset about an hour later because the app to program the stinking headset only works with Apple's i-phones. I'm an Android user, so I couldn't access the capability of the headset. The Lightspeed folks tried to convince me that wasn't an issue because I could borrow someone else's i-phone to do the programming. That was a non-starter for me. I got my money back and just wear my hearing aids under my older, noise-cancelling headset. It isn't an ideal setup, but it works. Yes, Apple is the dominant system in the cockpit for tablets and phones, but there are a BUNCH of Android users out there. All of my other devices (including my hearing aids) can be accessed by both Apple and Android devices. Why Lightspeed went down a 1-way street is a mystery to me.
 
Flyhound said:
Yes, Apple is the dominant system in the cockpit for tablets and phones, but there are a BUNCH of Android users out there. All of my other devices (including my hearing aids) can be accessed by both Apple and Android devices. Why Lightspeed went down a 1-way street is a mystery to me.
Click to expand...
Supporting both nearly doubles the cost of making the app. If you get 80% of the customer base covered for half the cost, the math is pretty obvious given that the target market is dominated by ios.

For your aids, the opposite is true. Older people (the ones most often with aids) are more price sensitive and the 65+ market is 60% android, making it a necessary evil to support despite the complexity of doing so.

I don't blame you for returning the headset, but fail to see the mystery. Seems rational.
 
172andyou said:
Supporting both nearly doubles the cost of making the app. If you get 80% of the customer base covered for half the cost, the math is pretty obvious given that the target market is dominated by ios.

For your aids, the opposite is true. Older people (the ones most often with aids) are more price sensitive and the 65+ market is 60% android, making it a necessary evil to support despite the complexity of doing so.

I don't blame you for returning the headset, but fail to see the mystery. Seems rational.
Click to expand...
Well, many of the EFB's (Garmin Pilot, iFly and others) support both Apple and Android operating systems, so there obviously is a business case to be made for supporting both. iFly does their programming in an HTML friendly language so it works with Apple and Android with only a minor cost impact. Where there is a will, there is a way, and many businesses have made the effort. Lightspeed lost a sale that their reps at AirVenture really wanted to keep. I imagine I'm not the only one that avoided their product because of software challenges. If they don't want my business, that's fine. There are lots of other providers that do.
 
Pilot-C said:
I agree… in my case is a class 1, and maybe requirements are higher. Maybe if here are AME’s reading their opinion would be useful
Click to expand...
Nope, there is ZERO difference in the hearing requirements across the classes.
 
flyingron said:
Nope, there is ZERO difference in the hearing requirements across the classe
flyingron said:
Nope, there is ZERO difference in the hearing requirements across the classes.
Click to expand...
in my country are not the same, class 1 is more restrictive, at least what is written.
Click to expand...
The opinion of an AME or doctor here would be appreciated.
 
Pilot-C said:
The opinion of an AME or doctor here would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
We're talking about the UNITED STATES. Here is no difference. You can talk to a doctor in your country if you want to find out what is different down there.
 
flyingron said:
We're talking about the UNITED STATES. Here is no difference. You can talk to a doctor in your country if you want to find out what is different down there.
Click to expand...
For sure, but in your opinion, hearing loss as I described is something to worry about being a pilot? Does it jeopardize the medical ?
 
Pilot-C said:
For sure, but in your opinion, hearing loss as I described is something to worry about being a pilot? Does it jeopardize the medical ?
Click to expand...
It's not my "opinion." It's the fact. See the FAA Guide for Medical Examiners for item 49 (Hearing) on the exam.
There is no difference between the classes with regard to hearing standards.
Believe me, I have profound hearing loss in one ear. I have researched this to hell.
 
Back
Top