DOT Physical Hearing Requirements: What Drivers Need to Know
Concerned about passing the hearing portion of your DOT physical? You only need to meet the federal hearing standard in one ear, and hearing aids are allowed.
Under FMCSA regulation 49 CFR §391.41(b)(11), drivers can meet the hearing requirement through either a forced whisper test or audiometry.
What Is the Passing Requirement?
Test | Passing Requirement |
Forced whisper test | Hear a forced whisper from at least 5 feet away in the better ear, with or without a hearing aid. |
Audiometry | Have an average hearing loss of 40 decibels or less at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz in the better ear, with or without a hearing aid. |
Both ears do not need to pass. Meeting either standard in the better ear satisfies the federal hearing requirement.
What Happens If You Fail the Whisper Test?
Failing the whisper test does not automatically mean you cannot qualify. An audiometric test can determine whether you meet the alternative hearing standard. Drivers who need testing with a hearing aid may require a referral for accurate testing.
How Is the Audiometry Average Calculated?
The results at the three required frequencies are added together and divided by three,
separately for each ear:
(500 Hz result + 1,000 Hz result + 2,000 Hz result) ÷ 3
The medical examiner reviews the results using the calibration standard required by FMCSA and any necessary conversion.
Schedule Your DOT Physical in Mission Viejo
South OC DOT Physicals and Chiropractic Clinic offers weekday evening and weekend appointments.
Call: (949) 600-6108
Text: (949) 505-2506
Book online: Schedule Your Appointment
Walk-ins are welcome. Bring your hearing aids if you use them, along with any recent hearing test reports.
