Will the RAF accept me having had Grommets

[FFly]

When I was 11 I had grommets placed in both ears because of recurrent infections.After a while both grommets fell out. Now 17 and doing A levels, I want to apply to join UAS at Uni,in 2 years after my GAP year, followed by a career as aircrew. I will have to have the full medical at OASC as part of my UAS application and I need some advice as to whether the RAF will even consider me having had grommets. One ear has healed up after the grommet fell out, but the other has a small perforation left. This causes me no problem and both ears are symptom free.. .If I apply to join the UAS does anyone know whether I would be rejected for having had grommets, or for still having a small perforation in one ear. My ENT specialist has said that if the RAF will accept me with a repaired perforation, he will repair this for me with a high chance of success, but I would not want to have the surgery if the RAF would reject me out of hand for having had grommets, or for having had ear surgery. The local careers information office have not been particularly helpful so far. Does anyone know who I could write to/phone at OASC for a definitive answer?

[HalesAndPace]

Whilst it sounds as if you have 2 years for the matter to resolved itself "naturally," it would probably be best to get the correct medical information sooner rather than later!

Try OASC (01400) 261201 extension 6793 (JNCO i/c Medical Reception); he/she should be able to either answer your enquiry, or hopefully, put you through to an ENT specialist. Best of luck! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[martinidoc]

I was in ULAS and developed a glue ear due to barotrauma, caused by flying with a cold (stupid I know). At that time the thinking was I could have it treated by myringotomy (puncturing the ear drum and sucking out the fluid) and get straight back to flying, or treat with antibiotics abd wait several weeks. I chose the former, and went straight back to flying.

Grommets are used to treat chronic glue ear in childhood and so the analogy is probably relevent.

I suspect the deciding factor will be whether you can meet the audiometry requirements.