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NFPA Hearing Requirements

The National Fire Protection Association is an international nonprofit that, among other tasks, sets global standards for the hearing ability required of firefighters. NFPA hearing requirements don't simply state minimum hearing requirements; they list diseases, deformities and syndromes that will impair hearing and suggest that those afflicted by these conditions not be permitted to work fires on account of their inability to receive communications verbatim amidst ambient distortions.

  1. Hearing Loss

    • The National Fire Protection Association has strict requirements for those with hearing loss. Permissible hearing deficits are measured by decibels within certain frequencies, and apply to a prospective NFPA member's worst ear, not hearing ability as a whole. Hearing loss greater than 25 decibels in three of the four following frequency ranges disqualifies one for NFPA service: 500 Hz; 1,000 Hz; 2,000 Hz; and 3,000 Hz. Also meriting disqualification: hearing loss of more than 30 decibels in the 500 Hz; 1,000 Hz; and 2,000 Hz ranges. And: a median loss of greater than 30 decibels in 500 Hz; 1,000 Hz; 2,000 Hz; and 3,000 Hz ranges.

    Hearing Obstruction

    • NFPA requirements restrict membership of applicants with certain growths in or deformities of the ear. Those with tumors of any kind that obstruct the ear canal are not eligible for NPFA service. Deformities that merit disqualification for applicants include aural atresia and ear canal stenosis. The former condition is one by which there is no external ear, and the middle ear is malformed, while the latter describes an abnormally thin ear canal. Agenesis, or traumatic deformity of the auricle, and mastoiditis, or surgical deformity of the mastoid, are also grounds for disqualification on account of their interference with a firefighter's ability to hear.

    Infections and Sydromes

    • The NFPA has a handful of requirements regarding ear infections and syndromes that impair or obstruct hearing. Ear infections like otitis externa (swimmer's ear) and otitis media (a middle ear infection) are grounds for disqualification as per NPFA requirements. However, these infections are easily treatable, and those who rectify the situation are eligible for qualification. NFPA requirements also ban those with hearing impairing syndromes such as tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears), labyrinthitis (swelling of the inner ear), and Ménière's syndrome, a severe ear disease that results in hearing loss, pressure in the ear, tinnitus, severe imbalance and vertigo.

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