Med question for ears????

[smustang51]

I'm somewhat concerned about the audiogram testing at NAMI. So, my question is to all of those who have been there. My problem is that when I was little I had tubes in my ears, but the one in the right ear fell out wrong and left a hole in the drum. I had to have a tympanoplasty done to fix that except, my hearing is worse in that ear (35 db at 500hz 35 db at 1000 15db at 2000 and 20 or lower for the rest). So, I got on the NAMI sight and have been trying to figure out the exact specs for hearing and I see that I am off in some of the frequencies. In the other ear, however my hearing is perfect. So, my question is two-fold; 1) is there anything (waivers, etc) that can be done for this and 2) how is the audiogram conducted at NAMI-the same as MEPS where they set three or four guys in a room and tell you to hit the button when you hear something? Anyway, I passed the commissioning physical, just not sure about NAMI....I seriously would like to avoid the whammy part of it. Any good advice from a doc or someone who's been there would be great!

 

[nugget81]

how is the audiogram conducted at NAMI-the same as MEPS where they set three or four guys in a room and tell you to hit the button when you hear something

That's how its done. I can't help with the rest because I just don't know....

 

[Kriegadler]

I'm in a similar boat, tubes in the ears and all. Had a parrot greatly decrease hearing in my right ear several years ago. You could see the difference from the audiogram. I would think if you passed the commissioning physical, you'll pass the NAMI.

What about clearing your ears? Do you have problems going up to altitude?

 

[skim]

A parrot??

 

[Kriegadler]

yes. i wanted to shoot him. in the face.

 

[smustang51]

No...no problems clearing at all, even while scuba diving....I have to ask though why were you in such close proximity to a parrot for it to do that?

 

[Kriegadler]

bird rehabilitation. we helped vets get birds that had been abandoned placed in homes so they didn't have to be put down. most of the time they needed to be reintroduced to human touch and smell and the like. that one was an attention junkie. if you weren't sitting next to him, he'd scream his head off. something had traumatized it. never found out what. But it wasn't the proximity. Parrots "jungle-yells", as we called them, are very high pitched and very loud. Think of a fire alarm crossed with a tornado siren sitting outside your bedroom window. That's about it.

 

[usmarinemike]

Had a parrot greatly decrease hearing in my right ear several years ago.

That has to be one of the weirdest damned things I've ever heard of.

 

[mlorg001]

I had the EXACT same problem...hole in my eardrum from tubes. When I got to OCS I had the regular audiogram done then I had to go back later in the week to get a full out hearing test and examination done with the audiologist. The just put my results in the medical file to use as a baseline. I am, however, in the Supply Corps. The lower hearing doesn't disqualify you for a commission but it may disqualify you from Pilot or NFO.

 

[pennst8]

bird rehabilitation. we helped vets get birds that had been abandoned placed in homes so they didn't have to be put down. most of the time they needed to be reintroduced to human touch and smell and the like. that one was an attention junkie. if you weren't sitting next to him, he'd scream his head off. something had traumatized it. never found out what. But it wasn't the proximity. Parrots "jungle-yells", as we called them, are very high pitched and very loud. Think of a fire alarm crossed with a tornado siren sitting outside your bedroom window. That's about it.

I'm going to go ahead and say this one should have been put down. Yes, I'm a cold hearted SOB... that one should have been dog food.

FYI... the machine they use at NAMI was busted when I went through there in the fall. If they give you bad news, insist on being retested.

 

[Kriegadler]

I'm going to go ahead and say this one should have been put down. Yes, I'm a cold hearted SOB... that one should have been dog food.

Yeah, we thought so too, but then found a woman who had nothing but time on her hands. She took the bird, and it's been ok ever since. Kinda like a dog in that respect. Some need attention. Difference is dogs don't crap on your shoulder. HAHA

 

[usmarinemike]

I'm going to go ahead and say this one should have been put down. Yes, I'm a cold hearted SOB... that one should have been dog food.

I probably would have put it down right then and there when it did the tarzan yell in my ear.

 

[STLEngineer]

I had the EXACT same problem...hole in my eardrum from tubes. When I got to OCS I had the regular audiogram done then I had to go back later in the week to get a full out hearing test and examination done with the audiologist. The just put my results in the medical file to use as a baseline. I am, however, in the Supply Corps. The lower hearing doesn't disqualify you for a commission but it may disqualify you from Pilot or NFO.

Which ear, lor-gay, this one???????????????

I believe the limit is somewhere between 40-50 db. I am borderline on both ears in a random mid-frequency (think it's from duck hunting). I don't know when you can really stop worrying about borderline hearing. I cleared NAMI, like mlorg001 after subsequent review and testing.

Is the limit higher once I wing or post NAMI? Anyone, feddoc?

 

[BigIron]

I'm going to go ahead and say this one should have been put down. Yes, I'm a cold hearted SOB... that one should have been dog food.

Yeah, we thought so too, but then found a woman who had nothing but time on her hands. She took the bird, and it's been ok ever since. Kinda like a dog in that respect. Some need attention. Difference is dogs don't crap on your shoulder. HAHA

Do you figure this kind hearted woman is now deaf too?

 

[skim]

I used to volunteer at a pet store when I was 13 and there was a parrot that hated everyone but one worker. One time I dropped something causing a loud noise. The parrot flew down from its perch in the back of the store and started attacking my foot. I screamed and wanted to stomp it, but knew it would cost me a lot of money; plus its not everyday I get attacked by a parrot. I hate birds...