Quote:
Originally Posted by FourFans130
What restrictions are there on needing hearing aids as an airline pilot? I've tried to dig into the regs on it, but can't find a solid yes or no. I know for a fact that I'll need them in the future due to normal progressive hearing loss.
Thanks!
Actually, I know a lot if older pilots whose hearing is only really DOD when they ARE in the cockpit, with their headsets on. Both age-related hearing loss and noise induced hearing loss are common in the airline pilot community, the latter fortunately less common than it once was. Even with bilateral hearing aids the AME him/herself can sign you off as long as you pass the standards - which are actually fairly lax - just by requiring you to have amplification (either hearing aids or a headset) while flying. But at worst you are going to require an inflight hearing evaluation to get a SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability), assuming you aren't totally deaf. And even the need for a SODA is pretty uncommon.
The FAA is actually pretty good about that and with today's ANR headsets, it is rare to see this affect anyone's career.
Here is the instructions for the AME:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...ech/item49/et/