US Military Guide Responds to "That Soldier May Be Deaf, Charlie"
"It's that way with most medical conditions. Most medical conditions which are disqualifying to join initially will not necessarily result in a discharge, as long as the member can continue to safely and effectively perform their military duties. That's because the military already has thousands -- sometimes hundreds of thousands -- invested in the military member through training, pay, uniforms, food, etc.The medical hearing standards for initially joining the military can be read on my site at: hearing. However, over the years, I have seen hundreds of medical waivers granted to applicants with hearing levels substantially below these standards.
The medical hearing standards to continue in the military can be read at: ears. As you can see, the latter standards are somewhat subjective. As long as the military medical officials feel that the member can still do their duty, they can continue in the military.
I like to use this analogy, when people ask why many medical conditions are disqualifying to join, but not necessarily disqualifying for continued service:
Let's say you have the choice of two used cars. One has a known mechanical problem which may worsen over time, and the other has no known mechanical problems. Other than that, they are nearly identical. You would probably choose the one with no known mechanical problems.
However, let's say you bought that car, and then spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours getting it just right for your purposes, and it develops the same mechanical problem that the other car had. Well, after investing all that time and money, you're probably not just going to throw the car away and start over. You're more likely to try and fix the mechanical problem, and -- if it can't be fixed -- you would probably live with it, as long as the car was able to continue to suit your needs.
When the military accepts an applicant with a medical condition, they become responsible for the treatment of that medical condition for life (through the VA), if the condition worsens, even the slightest, during the person's period of military service. Additionally, the VA may have to pay monthly disability payments, if the worsened condition results in an employment disability. This is why, given the choice, the military would rather not grant medical waivers, if they can make their recruiting goals without them.
Hearing loss is a serious problem in the military, and has been for as long as I can remember. Despite mandatory hearing protection, you simply can't spend day-in and day-out, surrounded by gunfire, explosions, aircraft engines, noisy ship equipment, construction equipment, etc., without suffering some degree of high frequency hearing loss. I read an article several years ago which stated that about 65 percent of all military retirees (those with 20 or more years of military service), apply to the VA for 10 or 20 percent disability, due to hearing loss. My own brother-in-law spent 30 years in the Air Force. His job was burying fiber optic cable, so he was around construction equipment, daily. On the day he retired, he began receiving disability compensation of 20 percent from the VA, due to hearing loss."
Comments
oh great, nice to know that we’re being compared to used cars with known mechanical problems
yeah I am only one deaf solder my nick name is deaf navy usa and i been raise all my life thru my dad was command fleet master cheif for 33 yrs and I been learned lots of navy stuff I was hang on navy ships in virgina beach and i decide made a tattoo on my right top arm made usa flag with eagle with earth that made me being hometown usa that mean i lived everywhere in usa. I been enter pentagon back in 1981 to 1983. i know couples of my freinds who worked in navy base in norfolk,va who worked as forlift ,pipetter.package,computer. but it been laid off thousand people due outside buiness take over but I am proud of deaf people who worked as civilian service and couple of few of milarty freinds who being hearing loss cause tanks and ships powerful boom and machine guns due too close that loudest. but right now they have better protect than before due earphone is too soft made sound enter ears. but we have good heart of proud of service our county. protect our homeland. I was worked under bush presdent feedback email. but soon mr bush presdent is retired for 8 yrs. my dad was worked under presdent ronald reagan presdent in washington dc and where i graduate in mssd. I was Thanks my dad was took me and enter in top secert and learn lots of navylife. good experince. i was that close go to iraq but i got bust my back surgery could not go but my heart always been milatary and harley davidson. oh one thing is my family who worked in world trade center in nyc and thank god still life as me being still lifetime as deaf navy usa forever.
i AM UNILATELLY DEAF HAVE BEEN SO ALMOST SINCE BIRTH WHICH IS NEVER UNDERSTOOD , HOW YOU CAN HEAR OUT ONE EAR BUT NOT THE OTHER. IT DID NOT STOP THEM FROM DRAFTING ME ALTHOUGHT I TOLD THEM. I HAVE NO DIRECTION OF SOUND AND ALWAYS THOUGHT I COULD HURT SOMEONE BY NOT ALWAYS UNDERSTANDING.
My dad tried to enlist during WWII, but the Dr. dropped a quarter, dad did not hear it, so failed the medical. I’m sure the fact that he went to School 47 was probably an easy indication of his Deafness, since he hid it for years. Only now, at age 82, does he finally tell people to look at him, he can’t hear.
You know, this is another example to love the government and military. I know it sounds a little harsh comparing us to a car, but it is only an example to help demonstrate the situation. At least the military will take care of and keep on a person with a disability. My own parents left me on the steps of social services to give me to foster care because they didn’t know how to–or wanted to deal–with a deaf child.
Thanks Uncle Sam, looks like you know what real family is all about.