Hearing & Medical

[Myth_77]

Hi All,
I am new to the Railway and looking to join as a trainee train driver. I've recently found out that I have poor hearing in one ear. Wanted to know would TOC still consider to employ me if I reach the requirements with an hearing aid??

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Welcome to the forum

Few questions

What do you mean by poor hearing?
Where did you have your hearing test done?
Was it a comprehensive test done by a qualified audiologist?
If so, what type of hearing loss was you diagnosed with?
Guessing if you recently found this out, you may have had this for a long time?

Feel free to PM me with an audiogram if you have one? I am a qualified audiologist BTW

 

[Myth_77]

Thank you for replying. I am not to sure how to privately message you. I've had hearing test done OH and now Audiologist and ENT. Only really realised when the OH did my test that I had a significant issue. My bad ear is failing at 2khz. I am unsure the TOC will take me on board if I need to use a hearing aid.

 

[mechanic2]

I think there are 4 categories of hearing. Cat 1 being perfect hearing. I have one ear as Cat 1 and one as Cat 2 (mild impairment) and passed a medical. Not sure how helpful that is for you.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Thank you for replying. I am not to sure how to privately message you. I've had hearing test done OH and now Audiologist and ENT. Only really realised when the OH did my test that I had a significant issue. My bad ear is failing at 2khz. I am unsure the TOC will take me on board if I need to use a hearing aid.

Click on my username and then "start conversation"

 

[Myth_77]

Apologies, the button doesn't appear

 

[ComUtoR]

You need 5 posts first before you can PM people. FYI hearing aids are allowed. Probably TOC dependent, but allowed.

 

[Myth_77]

You need 5 posts first before you can PM people. FYI hearing aids are allowed. Probably TOC dependent, but allowed.

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Oct 2023 ==

I think there are 4 categories of hearing. Cat 1 being perfect hearing. I have one ear as Cat 1 and one as Cat 2 (mild impairment) and passed a medical. Not sure how helpful that is for you.

This helps a little thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Oct 2023 ==

I think there are 4 categories of hearing. Cat 1 being perfect hearing. I have one ear as Cat 1 and one as Cat 2 (mild impairment) and passed a medical. Not sure how helpful that is for you.

I am cat 3 at the moment

 

[Fredytrains]

What is the current railway standard hearing threshold for Drivers at present?
Ive seen on the forum some quotes for 30-35db and others state is 40-45db. Is there confusion in this figure or difference between Train Drivers -Guards and track working?

 

[Matt123]

I’ve found this on gov.uk regarding Train Driver Licensing requirements

The Train Driving Licences and Certificates Regulations 2010

These Regulations implement, for Great Britain, Directive 2007/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23rd October 2007 on “the certification of train drivers operating locomotives and trains on the railway system in the Community” (Official Journal No. L 315, 3.12.2007, p.51).

www.legislation.gov.uk

Hearing and speaking requirements​

(3) Sufficient hearing confirmed by an audiogram, i.e.—

– hearing good enough to hold a phone conversation and to be able to hear warning sounds and radio messages.

The following values should be taken as guidelines—

(a)the hearing deficiency must not be higher than 40 dB at 500 and 1000 Hz,

(b)the hearing deficiency must not be higher than 45 dB at 2000 Hz for the ear with the worst air conduction of sound,

(c)no anomaly of the vestibular system,

(d)no chronic speech disorder (given the necessity to exchange messages loudly and clearly),

(e)the use of hearing aids is allowed in special cases.

 

[Buffer stop]

If you have a hearing aid they can't test you at a medical. You would require a test prior and take that along to the medical..

That is for a current driver with hearing aids.

 

[Fredytrains]

Great !
thanks for that info. Looks like I may be scraping through the tolerance on the 2k as a recent test had me at 40db in both ears. 500 and 1k were fine with 20db .. wait and see I suppose..