Army Hearing Test

SpicyDuck

SpicyDuck

SpicyDuck

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Joined
10 Dec 2003
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I've found a Job in the Army that I wish to apply for (Royal Engineers Electrician), but I'm quite concerned about the hearing test.

I had Grommets when I was younger but, thankfully, they fell out. On that point, I meet the requirements (if they hadn't fell out, I'd have been ****ed). The fact of the matter is though, that I am still hard of hearing, but I don't require any Hearing Aids, etc.

So now I'm quite worried as to what extent the Army hearing test will require me to pass - If they need perfect hearing, then I'm definitely not getting in - I won't be applying for at least 4 months (got to get fit), but does anyone have any information regarding this?

It would totally suck if I didn't get in for this reason, as it's something I really want to do. :o
 
Ben M said:
Grommets are meant to fall out =\
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Ahhh, yes, so they are! Just reading something online now, and it appears I had it all wrong, although there are differences in what is used, and for what purpose. In my case, I'm not entirely sure, other than the fact I know I don't have them now. Which is good.

dsb, that's an option, but will they have the hearing equipment at the AFCO? I guess I could ask my Doctor to book an appointment with an Audiologist for me, as I'm going there anyway.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any info about what the Army expect. I don't want to turn-up and say 'I'M DEAF!' and put myself in the crap, when I could find out beforehand that it's not a problem. :)
 
Tefal said:
wtf are grommets?
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A world of information is out there if you just search but for those with a short attention span, it's a small device that allows air to pass into the ear and helps to dry up glue ear or at least that is the idea.

SpicyDuck, have you thought about checking on the armed forces forums? I'm not sure of the address but I think Zefan may have a link in his signature or at least knows where to find them.
 
semi-pro waster said:
A world of information is out there if you just search but for those with a short attention span, it's a small device that allows air to pass into the ear and helps to dry up glue ear or at least that is the idea.
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mmm, they usually just end up falling out, and the patient having to have new ones put in.
 
The hearing test I did for the RAF is hard. The sounds are very very quiet and extremely high pitched. You have a button you are meant to press every time you hear a tone. The only problem is, half the time you spend wondering whether it really is a tone or just background noise.
 
semi-pro, I checked the Arrse forums, but there were no threads of any relevance, unfortunately.

Zefan, haha, I know exactly what you mean. I did plenty of hearing tests when I was younger, but it's been at least 10 years now. I remember them saying I wasn't too bad, and I tend to agree.

It's not very often that something reminds me I'm hard of hearing, but I do notice it when people whisper, or if somebody shouts something from quite far away (100m~). It's 50/50 to be honest. Sometimes I'm fine, other times I struggle. No idea why.

I'll speak to my Doctor and the guys at the AFCO. :)
 
You have 2 choices really. They'll ask you about certain medical stuff and if they ask you specifically about grommets/hearing then you obviously are obliged to inform them. If they don't, keep your mouth shut.

They will definitely ask something along the lines of "Are there any other medical implications that could affect your service/application?". If you don't think that your hearing is a problem, then don't speak up, they will tell you whether your hearing is good enough - if it's a problem they will discover it.

If it's on your medical record though then you will have to tell them :p
 
I never knew I had grommets when I was young until I was applying for the Army, and I passed my medical with no issues so i'm sure you'll be ok ear-wise.

(I didn't join though)
 
Zefan, I was thinking along the same lines. But there comes a point when I have to consider that I may be risking the lives of other Soldier's, if I failed to hear an order on active duty or whatnot. The Job I'm interested in is first and foremost, the role of Combat Engineer, so I think it's best to be honest with them.

If I'm good, I'm good. If not, bad luck I guess. As crushing as that would be, at least I know I won't be killing anybody on the same side. :)

Wardie, that's interesting! Are you actually hard of hearing right now, though? Do you have any problems like I described above? Grommets work great on some people, but make no difference in others. With me, I think it made a massive improvement, but I still notice my ears lacking sometimes.
 
I don't really have any hearing issues, like I said I had no idea that I actually had grommets until I asked my parents/doctors if there was anything that needed to go down (I can't even remember if I had to write it...)

I've sat hearing tests for a couple of things and have passed, you're best just to try and see how it goes.
 
My bro had a similar problem when he was applying to enter Sandhurst. He just went private and paid for an operation to fix it, was only a couple grand or so. He's been in the army a good few years now and has got to Captian with no problems.
 
When I joined the army I had an hearing test in the AFCO, my hearings not perfect so they said joining Royal Signals is out, didn't matter to me as I wanted to join the infantry - ironically my infantry role that I settled in, is that of signaller.
So a hearing deficency may block certain trades but still leave others open.

In the long term remember that a job in the Royal engineers will expose you to loud noises and vibration for extended periods (engr vehicles arn't quiet) and this may seriously damage your hearing, that said ear defence is provided and mandatory to wear (apparantly).

So go to the AFCO and get the answer, hope its the one you want.
 
SpicyDuck said:
Zefan, I was thinking along the same lines. But there comes a point when I have to consider that I may be risking the lives of other Soldier's, if I failed to hear an order on active duty or whatnot. The Job I'm interested in is first and foremost, the role of Combat Engineer, so I think it's best to be honest with them.
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Yeah sod what I said, say that. Shows you've got real integrity and strength of character. Just read through your post before and I missed the bit about it being intermittent, that makes a big difference as it may slip through their net only to become a problem when it really matters (as you've pointed out).

Good luck!
 
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