Question

Which of the following is acceptable for a driver who wears a hearing aid?

Testing of the driver's hearing is waived if the driver presents a letter from a qualified specialist.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by the medical examiner using audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed by an audiologist or otolaryngologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment.
Testing of the driver's hearing may be performed at 1,000 Hz only.

Answer 1

An audiologist or otolaryngologist can perform hearing tests on drivers using audiometric equipment over a range of 250 to 8000 Hz. Normal hearing is measured at 0 dB, and it's recommended to avoid sound levels above 85 dB for prolonged periods to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

Step-by-step explanation:

Testing of a driver's hearing who wears a hearing aid may be performed by an audiologist or otolaryngologist using specialized audiometric testing equipment. Hearing tests are conducted over a range of frequencies, typically from 250 to 8000 Hz, to create an audiogram.

A normal hearing threshold is measured at 0 dB across all frequencies. Specific hearing loss, such as that from noise exposure, may show a dip at around 4000 Hz, while age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, tends to worsen at higher frequencies.

Hearing tests such as the Rinne and Weber tests use a tuning fork to help diagnose whether hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural. Government agencies and health professionals recommend that sound levels should not exceed 85 dB for 8-hour daily exposures if no hearing protection is used. This is to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.