This is probably a old thread that may not need to be resurfaced but I was wondering how the original contributor was getting along over the years?
Personally, I'm profoundly Deaf but I can communicate by speaking and lipreading. Majority of my clients often think I'm not Deaf. Currently I'm a DM under PADI's structure, working toward OWSI dive rating as well have got TDI's basic intro to tech diving rating. At this point I'm teasing with the idea of me working in a commercial diving capacity. I've tried the Navy here in NZ, and like many others commented before me, I was later discouraged to continue my application (despite making it into the second round of enlistment). Quoting them: "We're assessing your ability to be a sailor first, then as a diver". The statement is profound and crystal clear. I did remind the office that 75% of Navy servicemen/women leave with a permanent hearing loss.....
I have yet to contact the NZSOS (the only commercial diving school here in NZ) to see if I even have a remote chance of undertaking commercial diving. If not, then I'd look at the technical diving industry and see if I have a better shot there... What's ironic is that I do have an occupational medical clearance (highest can get here in NZ) so there's no known/said issues with deafness. Just to be clear, every person who is d/Deaf does not have the same form/degree of impairment. In my case, I realise that I am one of the lucky few to be able to communicate on both ends of the spectrum.
I do accept the said limitations everywhere in the world but I do have question the limitations. It's not a safety issue as some members pointed out or raised. There's an unfortunate few (not here but globally) that are fixated on what Deaf people CAN'T do as opposed to what we CAN do. For example, I currently 20/20 vison supported with a very good peripheral vison range. I know this means squat underwater with 0 viz and I've had heaps of dives with 0 viz and often succeeded BETTER communication than any other hearing person I've dived with. Now, I'm talking guys with 10+ years experience, it's because I have a greater advantage to feel underwater (with gloves even) and I can sign (I am a qualified sign language teacher as well as using sign language to communicate every day). In saying that hearing peers also have a greater advantage, they can hear. So it goes both ways.
We all know that we should dive with a buddy and this goes for commercial diving as well. Diving is a team effort. Last time I checked, this requires the combination of every member's strengths and weaknesses and making it work for a common goal (whether it be recovering an object, whatever).
"Where there is a way, there is will"
On a side note, I've done a lot of readings on the physiological impact of pressure diving associated with deafness and I have to say that I disagree with almost most of the recommendations established associated with deafness. One, I have very little need to equalise (only when I have a cold blah blah) when I dive. I do equalise just to be sure when doing deep dives but majority of the time, I just get in the water, descend and monitor the depth gauge. What I do find unusual about this however, note, that my eardrums are intact, is that in comparing myself with my OWSI, he equalises every so so. I often find myself at the agreed depth waiting for the others to comfortably equalise before we get on with the objective even when we descend together.
