KindolFaret

After being diagnosed with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (chronic condition) the only solution to continue flying without pressure equalization problems is to get long-term grommets installed in both ears.

My worry is... can I pass Class 1 medicals with grommets??

I've been reading JAA / EU legislation and it talks about not healed perforations... but not about grommets. Any experiences about that? Any pilots flying with them and passing the Class 1?

Thanks a lot.

2close

My first thought was 'why on earth would you want to take a plasticine dog to your medical?' then.............

Have a read of these - they may give you the answers you require.

JAR FCL 3

JAA Publications & NPAs | New Releases

JAA Manual of Civil Aviation Medicine

JAA | Licensing: Manual of Civil Aviation Medicine

HTH

2close

KindolFaret

Thanks mate, that's been helpful but I still don't know... i'd like to find a pilot with the same problem and ask him what are his experiences regarding the medicals...

cheers!

redsnail

Call your CAAs medical branch. In general, the medical branch are useful and helpful - especially a straight forward case like yours.

dave_stavy

Hi KindolFaret,

Just wondering if you got something conclusive back from the CAA on flying with grommets?? It may be an option i might have to take in the future...

D Stavy

Bob the Doc

The answer that appears logical to me is that grommets should not affect your ability to fly. If anything it will enhance your abilities as you will no longer suffer with the pressure symptoms that have been causing problems until now. I suppose if a grommet were to fall out (the permanent ones tend not to do so as mush as the temporary ones) and the hole to close up (something that happens relatively quickly but not in the course of a day or so) then you might be back to square one.

The problem occurs when you are not aware that the grommet has fallen out (most people would not notice this) and so you might get the pressure symptoms when you thought you were 'immune' to them.

I am not an AME and my opinion is not endorsed by the CAA but this seems to be a sensible approach.

As others have already suggested, ask the medical guys at the CAA. Yours will not be the first case of this question being asked so I am sure there will be an official answer available

Hope that helps

bob

A330ETOPS

Hi i had 4 lots of grommets & a t-bar as a child. My AME knew about this on my initial and i passed it no problem at all