Failed DOT Med Cert for whisper test

My entire life I have worn hearing aids as I am legally considered deaf. I only have about 25 to 30% of my hearing and Its only going to get worse as I naturally lose hearing through out life along side my hearing disability. Ive had my CDL since 2013 and Today I went in for my biannual med test. Failed the whisper test. I couldn't even hear a sound. Now Im in a state of disbelief and panic as Im going in to an emergency visit with an audiologist to do a new hearing test. I will admit I'm over due and could tell my hearing has been taking a dive over the last year, so this is good to finally be doing. How ever Im sure im going to be walking out 5 to $7K poorer with a new set of hearing aids and my fear is that I will still fail the test. Med card expires on the 11th and in the state of TN, there's no forgiveness. Once its up, that's it. I am immediately downgraded to a regular drivers license.

My problem with the whisper test is the fact that it is used as a basic, subjective test to detect hearing loss. Well I already know I have that. There are certain frequencies that I will just naturally not hear but everything else would be fine. Ive done 5 dot physicals in my time and every time I struggle with that but Id either be able to hear well enough to pass or the doctor gives some leniency and passes anyways. Failing this one was a major punch to my gut as Im only 32 and trucking is my life. Im an owner op with my own business and I love what I do. The thought that I may lose this because of a stupid test that is subjective to detect something that I know I have is BS. Every person whispers differently and at different pitches and volumes. So when I get paired with a doctor that whispers bellow my natural hearing, Im screwed. Again my hearing aids are due for a tune up so this will help, but the fear is there.

Mean while I see people driving at 500lbs, have breathing issues, health issues, or just plain illegal because they paid someone off. And yet here I am about to lose it all as a perfectly healthy guy. Its Fkn scary man

my appointment with the Audiologist is at 2 today and I will not leave there till I can pass a whisper test. I will then retake the dot medical on Wednesday. Even if I pass, Im likely going to be bumped down to a yearly physical and will forever live with fear for probably the next 20 to 30 years of my life.

 

Yeah normally I just crank up the volume on my hearing aids and I can make it through, but it's always been a struggle for me. Even if I can just get a piece of the word, I can usually guess what they say