Deafness and Truck Driving

Hello Truck Drivers,


I've been interested in becoming a Truck Driver some day in the future, and I've been doing some research, though I haven't really found a lot of answers, I figured here would be a good place to ask...

I'm 21 years old, and is considering a career in Long-Haul driving, but I am deaf myself (though I'm able to hear a little with my hearing aids).

What I'd like to ask:

Is it impossible to get a CDL (for New York State) with a profound hearing loss?

Is it absolutely required to be able to have voice communications like CB radio to dispatchers, etc, or am I able to use alternate forms of communication.

I'd like to know if it may be feasible for me, I fully understand that I have a disability, but would that disability prevent me from finding a trucking job if I complete trucking school?

(I'd like a honest answer, since I know it's NOT discrimination if there is a good reason behind it)

Thank you for your time!

SN23

 

Good morning SilverNitro and welcome to the forum. I can't answer your question directly but you might want to follow this up at:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/medical/spepackage.htm

I'd get in touch with one of the regional SPE centers and go from there. SPEs (Special Performance Evaluations) mainly address exceptions for loss of limbs, digits, etc. but I'd at least start here.

 

Hearing requirements

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...srruletext.aspx?section=391.41#r49CFR391.41-b

 

they did test my hearing at my first DOT physical by having a lady stand maybe 5-10 feet behind me and whisper

that was actually a non driving DOT physical....when i had the pleasure of going back for a second nutgrab for my driving physical im pretty sure they didnt test my hearing

 

My hearing was tested during my DOT physical. I had to sit in a small booth with studio-phones on (the one's that just about cover each side of your head) and raise a hand when I heard a beep.

Good Luck.

 

Mine was simply a nurse moving to the back of the room and whispering a phrase... which I had to repeat back.

 

I knew a guy that was near deaf that got his CDL-A. I don't know how he did it, but he did. He got a job with Alegra out of Lodi, CA running a set of dry tankers and lasted less than a month before he rolled the pull trailer. You got to be able to hear whats going on around you because sometimes a sound will be your only warning.

 

O weigh in, I just took my dot physical for a major trucking co. And passed. I'm profoundly deaf in both ears, but wear a cochlear implant. I couldn't understand the whispered text but could hear it and that's all the doc needed. So it can be done!!! Don't listen to the naysayers, the reality of it is that most truckers can't hear what's going on outside the truck with the radio/cb/whatever going.

 

And you gained this knowledge from what? All your wanna be experience?

The true reality is that we are aware of what is going on outside our trucks...you are referring to your 4 wheeler buddies with the boom boxes vibrating the feathers off the migrating geese at 4000 feet overhead.

 

you're right, i dont have much experience, but by the same token, can you really attribute an accident to hearing? sure, hearing might save you if you arent being visually aware, but i seriously doubt not being able to hear a "noise" will prevent an accident. Its okay, most people are ignorant when it comes to hearing loss. we're used to it