Driver's Test Question - how to answer responsibly?

I think that you would have to ask your local/state/provincial licensing authority that question. They’re the ones that set the minimum standards for vision, etc.

I think you are required to be able to hear a car or truck horn.

It would seem to me that if you can hear sirens and horns without your hearing aids, then the answer is no. If you need your hearing aids to hear these sounds, then the answer is yes.

I appreciate everyone’s thoughts.

This is a question they ask in NYS when renewing your driver’s license. I tried to get more information by researching on the internet, calling my audiologist’s office, etc. The way it is worded seems so subjective. I can’t find any thresh holds. Except that if a person thinks? feels? they need hearing devices to drive they are tested and can’t renew online. I can try giving them a call - not an easy thing to do - and see if they can provide more information.

I don’t believe they are saying a person can’t drive in NYS if they need hearing aids or are deaf but they are saying if one does, they are tested and/or need a “full view mirror”. I’ll have to look into it more fully, but I was having difficulty doing that - hence my post.

I think the question is subjective. Based on your audiogram you should be able to be aware of all important things, car horns, sirens, train whistles etc so I would say no.

It appears hearing aid wearers with license restrictions complained they had to drive with hearing aids. The law was changed so they could drive without hearing aids provided they use a special rear view mirror that has a wider field of view. It is not referring to the standard rear view mirror.

Driving with severe hearing loss can be very problematic for a lot of people. They can’t hear emergency vehicles coming up behind them. Then again constantly having to look in a mirror can also be very problematic. You’re too busy looking in the mirror to see what’s in front of you, causing rear end bingles.

I would answer this question - as long as I could hear emergency vehicles behind me I wouldn’t worry giving a negative answer.

Thank heavens that question doesn’t arise downunder, I wouldn’t have my license!

I suspect this question is really asking whether you have sufficient awareness of warning sounds without hearing aids in order to drive safely. It fails to take into account that Deaf people with no hearing can drives safely, but need to be more aware of their surroundings in doing so. I don’t think people have explained what a full view mirror is. I had to ask gemini about it as it isn’t a term I was familiar with. It gave the following response:

A full view mirror (often called a Full Display Mirror or panoramic rear-view mirror) is an interior car mirror system that replaces or supplements the standard rear-view mirror with a wide, high-definition digital screen. It connects to a rear-mounted camera to provide a clear, unobstructed view of the road behind you. [1]

How It Works and Key Features

• Bi-modal functionality: These systems usually feature a toggle or switch. In “mirror mode,” it functions as a standard, reflective optical mirror. In “display mode,” it casts a live video feed onto the screen. [1, 2, 3]

• Obstruction-free view: Because it uses a rear-facing exterior camera rather than reflected light through the cabin, your view is never blocked by rear-seat passengers, tall cargo, or headrests. [1, 2]

• Ultra-wide angle: The camera provides a much wider field of view than a traditional, flat reflective mirror, drastically reducing blind spots. [1, 2]

• Improved night visibility: Digital displays frequently use High Dynamic Range (HDR) and low-light enhancement to reduce headlight glare and improve clarity in the dark.

I think if I were Deaf then a full view mirror would be of significant advantage, particularly if rear-seat passengers obstructed the path of the rear-vision mirror and to improve the awareness of small children or pets behind the car if you aren’t able to otherwise see or hear them.

I would be interested to know what kinds of tests the DMV might perform to determine if someone with hearing aids requires one of these digital mirrors to support their driving and what kind of research (if any) is behind this rule, or if it is just designed to sell more digital mirrors and put more cameras in cars.

Sister in law bought a new RAV4.

It has the wide angle mirror in it.

Sitting in the back I noticed it. It can take a bit to get used to it.

She said she can choose which mode she wants

Wide or normal.

NY has been asking this question on license renewals and applications for decades - long before digital mirrors existed.

FYI …

I have no idea what kind of a hearing test NYS uses, but I found …
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In searching for hearing thresholds I came upon these two articles:**

Tests to Determine if a driver has adequate hearing to drive safely (commercial driving FMCSA) The following info is from this link: FMCSA - Frequently Asked Questions1

What tests are used to determine if a driver has adequate hearing to drive safely?1

The tests are either the forced whisper test or audiometry. For the whispered voice test, the driver should be 5 feet from the examiner with the ear being tested turned toward the examiner. The other ear is covered. Using the breath which remains after a forced expiration, the examiner whispers words or random numbers such as 66,18.23. The examiner should not use only sibilants (s-sounding test materials). If the individual fails the whisper test, the audiometric test should be administered. Last Updated : April 1, 2014

When is audiWhat are the hearing requirements for CMV drivers?metry required?

A person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person: First perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear at not less than five feet with or without the use of a hearing aid or if tested by use of an audiometric device, does not have an average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500Hz, 1000HZ and 2,000 Hz with or without a hearing aid when the audiometric device is calibrated to the American National Standard Z24.5-1951. Last Updated : April 1, 2014

Whisper Test:

The Whisper Test is given for commercial licenses apparently and this article speaks to the historical use, current status, reliability and validity, effectiveness of The Whisper Test. You can find YouTube videos of the test. Readers Choice 2013: Whisper Test of Hearing

Do you or do you not wear a hearing aid or not, that is the question.