Deaf Seamen

[paulcar]

Can a person work as merchant seamen deaf in one ear.

[stevefoster]

Can a person work as merchant seamen deaf in one ear.

Only if he can see out of the other.............

[danzante]

Can a person work as merchant seamen deaf in one ear.

Interesting question, especially since the CFR standards for vision and hearing override the NVIC 2008 standards. A person that is deaf in one ear would probably need to apply for a hearing waiver. My only experience with this is a student that had profound hearing loss in one ear, but was able to correct it to the minimum standard with a hearing aid. He had a hearing waiver placed on his license and his MMC said that he had to not only wear his hearing aid at all times, but he had to carry spare batteries onboard the vessel.

Here is 46 CFR 10.215 for hearing:

(c) Hearing test. If the medical practitioner conducting the general medical exam has concerns that an applicant's ability to hear may impact maritime safety, the examining medical practitioner, if not qualified to conduct the appropriate examinations, must refer the applicant to an audiologist or other hearing specialist to conduct an audiometer test and/or a speech discrimination test, as appropriate.

(1) The audiometer test should include testing at the following thresholds: 500 Hz; 1,000 Hz; 2,000 Hz; and 3,000 Hz. The frequency responses for each ear should be averaged to determine the measure of an applicant's hearing ability. Applicants must demonstrate an unaided threshold of 20 decibels or less in each ear.

(2) The functional speech discrimination test should be carried out at a level of 55 decibels. For issuance of an original MMC or endorsement the applicant must demonstrate functional speech discrimination of at least 90%. For renewal or raise of grade, the applicant must demonstrate functional speech discrimination of at least 80%. An applicant who is unable to meet the standards of the audiometer test, but who can pass the functional speech discrimination test, may be eligible for a medical waiver in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section.

(g) Medical waivers. Where an applicant does not possess the vision, hearing, or general physical condition necessary, the Coast Guard, after consultation with the examining licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, or licensed nurse practitioner may grant a waiver if extenuating circumstances warrant special consideration. An applicant may submit to the Coast Guard additional correspondence, records, and reports in support of a waiver. In this regard, recommendations from agencies of the Federal Government operating government vessels, as well as owners and operators of private vessels, made on behalf of their employees, will be given full consideration. Waivers are not normally granted to an applicant whose corrected vision in the better eye is not at least 20/40 for deck officers or 20/50 for engineer officers.

[skycowboy]

What day of the week is it,

It's Thursday,

I'm thirsty too, lets get a beer