Can Hearing Tests Help Drivers

Public health issues have been a concern for society since the dawn of civilization. Current issues focus on driver safety and certain precautions taken to ensure less accidents on the road. One thing that has gained some traction is the possible universal requirement for hearing tests for all driver's licenses. The CDL or commercial driver's permit and license requires a hearing test. The non-commercial permit and licensing does not.

Of the possible tests to determine adequate hearing in order to drive safely, two are most implemented which are audiometry and the forced whisper test. In the whisper test, drivers must be at least five feet from the examiner with the driver's ear being examined turned in the direction of the examiner. The other ear has to be covered. Then the examiner has to whisper random number or words with the individual then attempting to identify the words. Failure in the forced whisper test means taking the audiometric test.

Burden at issue: The issue then lies if hearing tests become mandatory requirements for all licensing tests, how much time and money will be needed to administer both of the hearing tests? Non-commercial permits and licenses are given far more frequently than CDLs. Will the government have to put in more money towards the implementation of these hearing tests? Although the forced whisper test does not take much time to do, the audiometric tests can cost as much as $400 to administer.

Purpose: The purpose of this short briefing is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of making hearings tests part of the requirements for non-commercial driving. Concepts: Truck Drivers Students Elderly Health Insurance Hearing Tests Hearing Aids Focused Whisper Testing Recreational Commercial Traffic Accidents Evidence: In order to get a CDL, one must do a DOT physical examination. The results of the exam remain valid for up to two years.

Part of the exam is to go through a hearing test in which the person must be able to have average hearing loss within the better ear of 40dB or less. Other things like urine samples and blood pressure are tested. The reason why one must undergo all these tests to get a CDL is because of the higher standards expected from those holding a CDL. Those with a CDL that commit serious traffic violations will not only affect the driver's livelihood, but also potentially a business as well.

Non-commercial drivers, although must pass testing as well to get their licensing, are not taken as seriously when testing as when a person applies for a CDL. This is because the kind of level of driving done by a non-commercial driver is more for recreational/personal use than for business. Concepts: Assumptions: It would be safe to assume that non-commercial drivers do not drive as often as commercial drivers.

Therefore, there is an increased risk for accidents and encounters with road hazards for a commercial driver than for a non-commercial driver. If that is the case, then the additional hearing test may not seek to benefit the general population when getting their license. However, there are instances when there are elderly drivers that have trouble hearing that should undergo a hearing test in order to provide a safer driving environment for the elderly driver and everyone else.

Furthermore, deaf drivers for example, are not allowed to drive in twenty-six countries. Some states also require special licensing procedure for deaf drivers in order to be able to identify them on the road. Although people can buy and use hearing aids, it may be good to include the hearing tests in order to identify potentially deaf or hard of hearing individuals.

Implications and consequences: If the hearing test becomes standard for non-commercial licenses as well, this may up the cost of licensing individuals as well as increase taxes Americans must pay in order to carry out the new standard. The United States already faces a large debt and budgetary concerns. This may hurt more than help the problem of expenses in the DMV.

If it not implemented, there could be higher rates of traffic accidents as the aging population continues to rise and more and more people become deaf or hard of hearing. Identification of problems leads to better prevention. If potentially hazardous drivers are identified as such through inclusion of hearing tests, this could reduce traffic accidents. points-of-view: From the perspective of a driver, it would make sense to include the hearing test. This is to avoid any unnecessary accidents from someone who cannot hear a horn honking and so forth.

From the perspective of a government official, it would take a lot of time and.