Cochlear implant
What the FAA's documents say about cochlear implant, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Cochlear Implant (CI)Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
COCHLEAR IMPLANT (CI) All Classes
Short version
The FAA's table sorts it into two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAdult, to improve speech discrimination and sound localization, or SSD | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BPlaced for hearing loss as a child/teen | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Cochlear implant
- Row A · Examiner can issue
The CI was placed in an adult to improve speech discrimination and sound localization (usually seen in older adults), or Single Sided Deafness (SSD). The row's note says pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear), and there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties. If the individual is unable to pass the hearing tests with the CI turned off, it says to go to Row B. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60, lists the age the CI was placed and the reason, and specifies whether the hearing test was passed with the CI turned on or off. The table says this does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT.
A. If the CI was placed in an adult to improve speech discrimination and sound localization (usually seen in older adults) OR Single Sided Deafness (SSD) Note: Pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries. … If the AME can determine: • The individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear); and • No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: (If unable to pass hearing tests with CI turned off, go to Row B.) … ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60 AND List the age the CI was placed and reason. Specify if they passed the hearing test with the CI turned on or off. This does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT.
- Row B · Special Issuance
The implant was placed for hearing loss as a child/teen. The row's note says pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, even if the individual passes the hearing test in the examiner's office, and annotates elements or findings in Block 60.
B. Implant was placed for hearing loss as a child/teen Note: Pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries. … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Even if they pass the hearing test in the AME office. Annotate elements or findings in Block 60.
- A note on the table, 1
Row A says that if the individual is unable to pass the hearing tests with the CI turned off, go to Row B.
(If unable to pass hearing tests with CI turned off, go to Row B.)
- A note on the table, 2
The table's note at its foot says that if the pilot is unable to pass MFT or is known to be deaf, see Item 49, Hearing, in the Guide.
Note: If pilot is unable to pass MFT or known to be deaf, see Item 49. Hearing.
The FAA pathways for cochlear implant
Which one describes yours?
The FAA's table sorts it these ways. Choose yours to see its plan.
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: Row A: what the examiner determines
Placed in an adult to improve speech discrimination and sound localization, or Single Sided Deafness (SSD).For Row A, your AME determines the findings the table lists. If your AME can determine them, the table says ISSUE.
If the AME can determine
- The individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear)
- No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties
At the exam
- Your AME annotates this information in Block 60
- Your AME lists the age the CI was placed and the reason
- Your AME specifies whether the hearing test was passed with the CI turned on or off
- The table says this does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT
Show the FAA's words: Row A: what the examiner determines
If the AME can determine: • The individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear); and • No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: (If unable to pass hearing tests with CI turned off, go to Row B.)
ISSUE
FAA source: Cochlear Implant. FAA date 29 November 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60 AND List the age the CI was placed and reason. Specify if they passed the hearing test with the CI turned on or off. This does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT.
FAA source: Cochlear Implant. FAA date 29 November 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: What the table notes for any implant
A spare processor, and the Guide's item on hearing.The table's note in both rows says pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries.
Show the FAA's words: What the table notes for any implant
Note: Pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries.
FAA source: Cochlear Implant. FAA date 29 November 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Note: If pilot is unable to pass MFT or known to be deaf, see Item 49. Hearing.
FAA source: Cochlear Implant. FAA date 29 November 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: See your AME
The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear), and there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties. If the individual is unable to pass the hearing tests with the CI turned off, it says to go to Row B. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60, lists the age the CI was placed and the reason, and specifies whether the hearing test was passed with the CI turned on or off. The table says this does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT.Exam day- The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear), and there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties. If the individual is unable to pass the hearing tests with the CI turned off, it says to go to Row B. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60, lists the age the CI was placed and the reason, and specifies whether the hearing test was passed with the CI turned on or off. The table says this does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. If the CI was placed in an adult to improve speech discrimination and sound localization (usually seen in older adults) OR Single Sided Deafness (SSD) Note: Pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries.
If the AME can determine: • The individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear); and • No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: (If unable to pass hearing tests with CI turned off, go to Row B.)
ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60 AND List the age the CI was placed and reason. Specify if they passed the hearing test with the CI turned on or off. This does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT.
FAA source: Cochlear Implant. FAA date 29 November 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
Row AExaminer issuesExaminer can issue
The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear), and there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties. If the individual is unable to pass the hearing tests with the CI turned off, it says to go to Row B. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60, lists the age the CI was placed and the reason, and specifies whether the hearing test was passed with the CI turned on or off. The table says this does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT.
Row BDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, even if the individual passes the hearing test in the examiner's office, and annotates elements or findings in Block 60.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
The CI was placed in an adult to improve speech discrimination and sound localization (usually seen in older adults), or Single Sided Deafness (SSD). The row's note says pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear), and there are no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties. If the individual is unable to pass the hearing tests with the CI turned off, it says to go to Row B. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60, lists the age the CI was placed and the reason, and specifies whether the hearing test was passed with the CI turned on or off. The table says this does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT.
A. If the CI was placed in an adult to improve speech discrimination and sound localization (usually seen in older adults) OR Single Sided Deafness (SSD) Note: Pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries. … If the AME can determine: • The individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF (i.e., SSD which passes hearing with the other ear); and • No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: (If unable to pass hearing tests with CI turned off, go to Row B.) … ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60 AND List the age the CI was placed and reason. Specify if they passed the hearing test with the CI turned on or off. This does NOT require a hearing limitation or MFT.
- Row B · Special Issuance
The implant was placed for hearing loss as a child/teen. The row's note says pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, even if the individual passes the hearing test in the examiner's office, and annotates elements or findings in Block 60.
B. Implant was placed for hearing loss as a child/teen Note: Pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries. … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Even if they pass the hearing test in the AME office. Annotate elements or findings in Block 60.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row B, an implant placed for hearing loss as a child/teen, DEFER, even if the individual passes the hearing test in the examiner's office.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed clinical progress note from a clinic visit with the treating Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) or audiologist no more than 90 days before the exam, with what the table says it must include.
- Item 2. The table's second item, which says the clinical progress note must specifically include the reason for the implant, the date of implant, how the individual functions with the device, the ability to hear in noisy environment, and word discrimination.
- Item 3. An audiogram performed no more than 90 days before the exam.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row B, an implant placed for hearing loss as a child/teen, DEFER, even if the individual passes the hearing test in the examiner's office.
B. Implant was placed for hearing loss as a child/teen … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Even if they pass the hearing test in the AME office.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current, detailed clinical progress note from a clinic visit with the treating Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) or audiologist no more than 90 days before the exam, with what the table says it must include.
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating Ear, Nose, & Throat (ENT) or audiologist no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. It must include:
- Item 2
The table's second item, which says the clinical progress note must specifically include the reason for the implant, the date of implant, how the individual functions with the device, the ability to hear in noisy environment, and word discrimination.
2. The Clinical Progress Note must specifically include: • Reason for the implant; • Date of implant; • How the individual functions with the device; • Ability to hear in noisy environment; and • Word discrimination
- Item 3
An audiogram performed no more than 90 days before the exam.
3. Audiogram performed no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam.
What a Special Issuance is
The Guide says an Authorization for Special Issuance, valid for a specified period, may be granted at the Federal Air Surgeon's discretion to a person who does not meet the established medical standards, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety during the period the Authorization would be in force.
How the FAA pathways workGood to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
What a progress note must include
In most cases it should come from a visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days ago, and cover the history, medications with dosages and side effects, exam findings, test results, diagnosis, assessment and plan, prognosis and follow-up. The FAA's sheet says to make sure the physician adds the prognosis. A portal note or an After Visit Summary that does not meet these criteria is not enough, and neither is a simple "ok to fly" letter. The FAA's documents also call it a status report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
your patient portal to print out “notes” or an “After Visit Summary (AVS).” … Patient Portal notes or an AVS that do not meet the criteria listed below for a detailed Clinical Progress Note are NOT sufficient for FAA purposes. … To be “current,” in MOST CASES, the detailed Clinical Progress Note should be from an evaluation in which you saw your treating physician no more than 90 days ago. … It Must include the following items: … A summary of the history of the condition, … Current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); … Clinical exam findings; … Results of any testing performed; … Diagnosis; … Assessment and Plan; … Prognosis (This item may not be on a standard progress note, make sure your physician adds this information.); and … Follow-up … Please note: A letter stating, “Mr. Smith is ok to fly” (or any other simple note), is NOT a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note and is NOT acceptable. … You may also see this called a “current status report” or “status report” in current FAA Guidance. Any reference to a “status report” equals the criteria listed on this sheet.
Row A points to Row B
Row A says that if the individual is unable to pass the hearing tests with the CI turned off, go to Row B. Row B's own words are an implant placed for hearing loss as a child/teen. The table does not say more, and this page shows both as printed.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
(If unable to pass hearing tests with CI turned off, go to Row B.) … B. Implant was placed for hearing loss as a child/teen
Row A names the CI turned off, and on or off
Row A's determination is that the individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF. Its Block 60 line asks the examiner to specify if the hearing test was passed with the CI turned on or off. The table does not say more.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
The individual can pass the hearing requirements with the CI turned OFF … Specify if they passed the hearing test with the CI turned on or off.
Row B is deferred even after a hearing test in the office
Row B is marked DEFER even if the individual passes the hearing test in the examiner's office.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Even if they pass the hearing test in the AME office.
A spare processor and extra batteries
Both rows carry the note that pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 5
Note: Pilots with a CI should fly with a spare processor and extra batteries.
FAA sources
Every FAA document this page relies on, with the FAA's own date and the date Crosscheck last read it. The documents to print open at the FAA, so they are always the FAA's current ones.
This reports what the FAA has published. It is not medical advice, and it does not say how the FAA or an examiner will decide a case.