Hearing impairment & medicals (UK)
Hi,
I'm hoping someone will be able to help me on this one.
I've always wanted to be an airline pilot since my early teens. I'm now in my early twenties. My problem is that I'm deaf in one ear. I've done some research and haven't been able to find a yes or no answer as to whether or not I can obtain a class 1 medical in the UK.
The "CAA hearing standards" would suggest that I would not obtain a Class 1 medical. That said, I've read a report regarding an A320 captain who worked for BMI. (a British airline) He wore a BAHA hearing aid. This type of hearing aid is often used by those with a moderate degree of hearing loss. As a result, he would not meet the CAA class 1 medical standards as documented on their website. This contradicts what the CAA website says, and leaves me rather confused...
Personally, I don't see what the problem is here anyway. In many ways, the problem is comparable to those who wear glasses in order to correct poor eyesight. Sure, I can't hear in one ear, however, I would be wearing a headset which would amplify mono sound, and would feed all sound into my normal ear. In addition to this, I'm aware that most headsets cancel out background noise quite well.
I've found a lot of useless information online, which is why I've decided to come here and ask. Most of the time, the information online is with reference to "deaf pilots". I personally believe that the term is frequently misused. I never know whether they're referring to those who are profoundly deaf, or those who suffer from any degree of hearing loss. Afterall, if someone was blind in one eye, would you say that they're blind? Probably not...
If anyone could provide any information or thoughts on this, I would appreciate it. Please keep in mind that this is with reference to the CAA Class 1 medical.
Cheers
Rich