Audiometric Speech Discrimination. Upon failing both conversational voice and pure tone audiometric test, an audiometric speech discrimination test should be administered (usually by an otologist or audiologist). The applicant must score at least 70 percent at an intensity no greater than 65 Db in either ear.

To maintain an FAA Class 1 or EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate, airline pilots must undergo rigorous hearing evaluations to ensure they can communicate safely in a cockpit environment. The primary test is the Conversational Voice Test, where the pilot must be able to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room at a distance of 6 feet with their back turned to the medical examiner. If there is any doubt about the pilot's hearing, or for certain international standards (like EASA), a more formal Pure Tone Audiometry test is required. In this test, the pilot wears headphones in a soundproof booth and must not have a hearing loss of more than 35 dB at frequencies of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, or more than 50 dB at 3000 Hz in each ear. These standards ensure that pilots can hear subtle auditory warnings and clearly understand radio transmissions over background engine noise. In 2026, these tests are performed annually (or semi-annually for older pilots) as part of the mandatory medical recertification process to ensure flight safety.