Being Deaf in one ear (non-correctable).

[annyong]

Hello,

My name is Dave I am 28yrs old and I am trying to find out if there is anywhere that I can be employed as an entry lever police officer. I live in Michigan and will move to just about any state. I am deaf in my left ear, and understand that some departments have an hearing policy for both ears. I am going to school right now (online courses), but not for criminal justice. Are there departments that would hire me with a ear that is basically for asthetics and am not a "certified" officer in any state; if so where?

I would appreciate all help and information.

[L-1]

Take a look at http://lib.post.ca.gov/Publications/Hearing.pdf

While these are the California standards, the principles behind them are fairly universal throughout most of law enforcement in the US.

While I haven't had a chance to read all of it, I believe it will address yor concerns.

[Tango1]

Hello,

My name is Dave I am 28yrs old and I am trying to find out if there is anywhere that I can be employed as an entry lever police officer. I live in Michigan and will move to just about any state. I am deaf in my left ear, and understand that some departments have an hearing policy for both ears. I am going to school right now (online courses), but not for criminal justice. Are there departments that would hire me with a ear that is basically for asthetics and am not a "certified" officer in any state; if so where?

I would appreciate all help and information.

I can speak from experience that you should not have a problem being hired as a police officer. I have been a police officer for 9 years and am in the final processes with the US Marshals, and throughout my entire career I have not had hearing in my right ear. At a local level, it is not as big of a deal being hired like that, as it is at a Federal level. I have tried multiple state agencies and no one would give me the time of day because I didnt meet the hearing standards. As with the USMS, I had to go get an additional hearing test after I had my medical exam, to test my speech recognition %. I scored 100%, and hope to have my medical cleared in the next couple weeks. Anyways don't get discouraged because it isn't going to keep you from getting hired.

[BD_View]

I guess I thought the hearing standards for USMS and other federal agencies was pass or fail. I have some high decibel hearing loss in one ear that disqualifies me with some agencies and not with others. Did you appeal for additional testing?

I can speak from experience that you should not have a problem being hired as a police officer. I have been a police officer for 9 years and am in the final processes with the US Marshals, and throughout my entire career I have not had hearing in my right ear. At a local level, it is not as big of a deal being hired like that, as it is at a Federal level. I have tried multiple state agencies and no one would give me the time of day because I didnt meet the hearing standards. As with the USMS, I had to go get an additional hearing test after I had my medical exam, to test my speech recognition %. I scored 100%, and hope to have my medical cleared in the next couple weeks. Anyways don't get discouraged because it isn't going to keep you from getting hired.

[Tango1]

I guess I thought the hearing standards for USMS and other federal agencies was pass or fail. I have some high decibel hearing loss in one ear that disqualifies me with some agencies and not with others. Did you appeal for additional testing?

Long story short, I made them aware of the fact that I didn't have hearing in my right ear during my interviews and they still passed me through. I had my hearing test during the medical process which of course showed that I didn't have hearing in my right ear. After my medical was processed, they said I had to have further hearing test which tested several aspects of speech recognition, which I scored 100% on all the tests. I'm still waiting to hear back on whether or not they are going to accept it. I spoke with a us marshal supervisor who said that I shouldn't have any problems. The medical team said that applicants with hearing issues are looked at on a case by case basis.

[annyong]

Long story short, I made them aware of the fact that I didn't have hearing in my right ear during my interviews and they still passed me through. I had my hearing test during the medical process which of course showed that I didn't have hearing in my right ear. After my medical was processed, they said I had to have further hearing test which tested several aspects of speech recognition, which I scored 100% on all the tests. I'm still waiting to hear back on whether or not they are going to accept it. I spoke with a us marshal supervisor who said that I shouldn't have any problems. The medical team said that applicants with hearing issues are looked at on a case by case basis.

I did go through 8 months with the border patrol application process, the only thing that I had left to pass was the background check; but I couldn't get to that because I failed my initial hearing test, then I had gotten another test (at my expense), and the hearing specialist said "in her professional opinion I would be fine to perform the duties of a border patrol agent". I thought I was in, then border patrol contacted me about my extra hearing test and said that I was disqualified; but I could go through the appeal process. Most people I talked to at the border patrol said that I would have a slim chance at the appeal unless I had "weapons" training like from the military or police academy.

Does anyone know of some departments that I could apply to, that are hiring?

[SSAFed]

I have been posting this question around this site the past couple of days. I am about half-deaf in my left ear. I currently work for the Social Security Administration and am working to get in to their OIG.

I was told by OPM that there are ways around a failed hearing test, but they were most vague. It is nice to see that even the USMS makes exceptions (though, it had to be in part because perhaps you are VERY qualified?).

In any case - thanks for the hope!