MED.B.080 Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

ANNEX IV (Part-MED) · Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 · EAR revision 25 Nov 2025

IRImplementing rule

MED.B.080Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

(a)Examination

(1)Applicants’ hearing shall be tested at all examinations.

(i)For a class 1 medical certificate, and for a class 2 medical certificate when an instrument rating or a basic instrument rating is to be added to the licence, hearing shall be tested with pure-tone audiometry at the initial examination, then every 5 years until the licence holder reaches the age of 40, and then every 2 years until the licence holder reaches the age of 60 and every year thereafter.

(ii)When tested on a pure-tone audiometer, initial applicants shall not have a hearing loss of more than 35 dB at any of the frequencies 500, 1 000 or 2 000 Hz, or more than 50 dB at 3 000 Hz, in either ear separately. Applicants for revalidation or renewal with greater hearing loss shall demonstrate satisfactory functional hearing ability.

(2)A comprehensive ear, nose and throat examination shall be undertaken for the initial issue of a class 1 medical certificate and periodically thereafter when clinically indicated.

(3)For class 1 medical certificate holders involved in single-pilot HEMS operations, a comprehensive ear, nose and throat examination shall be completed at the first revalidation or renewal examination after the age of 60.

(b)Applicants with any of the following medical conditions shall undergo further examination to establish that the medical condition does not interfere with the safe exercise of the privileges of the applicable licence(s):

(1)hypoacusis;

(2)an active pathological process of the internal or middle ear;

(3)unhealed perforation or dysfunction of the tympanic membrane(s);

(4)dysfunction of the Eustachian tube(s);

(5)disturbance of vestibular function;

(6)significant restriction of the nasal passages;

(7)sinus dysfunction;

(8)significant malformation or significant infection of the oral cavity or upper respiratory tract;

(9)significant disorder of speech or voice;

(10)any sequelae of surgery of the internal or middle ear.

(c)Aero-medical assessment

(1)Applicants for a class 1 medical certificate with any of the medical conditions specified in points (1), (4) and (5) of point (b) shall be referred to the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

(2)The fitness of applicants for a class 2 medical certificate with any of the medical conditions specified in point (4) and (5) of point (b) shall be assessed in consultation with the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

(3)The fitness of applicants for a class 2 medical certificate for an instrument rating or en route instrument rating to be added to the licence with the medical condition specified in point (1) of point (b) shall be assessed in consultation with the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

IR · MED.B.080 — Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 · Regulation (EU) 2024/2076 · Aircrew Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 25 Nov 2025

AMCAcceptable means of compliance

AMC1 MED.B.080Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

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(a)Hearing

(1)Applicants should understand correctly conversational speech when tested with each ear at a distance of 2 metres from and with the applicant’s back turned towards the AME.

(2)Applicants with hypoacusis may be assessed as fit if a speech discrimination test or functional flight deck hearing test demonstrates satisfactory hearing ability. A vestibular function test may be appropriate.

(3)If the hearing requirements can only be met with the use of hearing aids, the hearing aids should provide optimal hearing function, be well tolerated and suitable for aviation purposes.

(b)Comprehensive ENT examination A comprehensive ENT examination should include:

(1)history;

(2)clinical examination including otoscopy, rhinoscopy, and examination of the mouth and throat;

(3)tympanometry or equivalent;

(4)clinical examination of the vestibular system.

(c)Ear conditions

(1)Applicants with an active pathological process of the internal or middle ear should be assessed as unfit. A fit assessment may be considered once the condition has stabilised or there has been a full recovery.

(2)Applicants with an unhealed perforation or dysfunction of the tympanic membranes should be assessed as unfit. An applicant with a single dry perforation of non-infectious origin and which does not interfere with the normal function of the ear may be considered for a fit assessment.

(d)Vestibular disturbance Applicants with disturbance of vestibular function should be assessed as unfit. A fit assessment may be considered after full recovery. The presence of spontaneous or positional nystagmus requires complete vestibular evaluation by specialist. Applicants with significant abnormal caloric or rotational vestibular responses should be assessed as unfit. Abnormal vestibular responses should be assessed in their clinical context.

(e)Sinus dysfunction Applicants with any dysfunction of the sinuses should be assessed as unfit until there has been full recovery.

(f)Oral/upper respiratory tract infections Applicants with a significant infection of the oral cavity or upper respiratory tract should be assessed as unfit. A fit assessment may be considered after full recovery.

(g)Speech disorder Applicants with a significant disorder of speech or voice should be assessed as unfit.

(h)Air passage restrictions Applicants with significant restriction of the nasal air passage on either side, or significant malformation of the oral cavity or upper respiratory tract may be assessed as fit if ENT evaluation is satisfactory.

(i)Eustachian tube(s) Applicants with permanent dysfunction of the Eustachian tube(s) may be assessed as fit if ENT evaluation is satisfactory.

(j)Sequelae of surgery of the internal or middle ear Applicants with sequelae of surgery of the internal or middle ear should be assessed as unfit until recovery is complete, the applicant is asymptomatic, and the risk of secondary complication is minimal.

AMC · AMC1 MED.B.080 — Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 · ED Decision 2019/002/R · Aircrew Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 25 Nov 2025

AMCAcceptable means of compliance

AMC2 MED.B.080Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

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(a)Hearing

(1)Applicants should understand correctly conversational speech when tested with each ear at a distance of 2 metres from and with the applicant’s back turned towards the AME.

(2)Applicants with hypoacusis may be assessed as fit if a speech discrimination test or functional cockpit hearing test demonstrates satisfactory hearing ability.

(3)If the hearing requirements can be met only with the use of hearing aids, the hearing aids should provide optimal hearing function, be well tolerated and suitable for aviation purposes.

(4)Applicants with profound deafness or major disorder of speech, or both, may be assessed as fit with an SSL, such as ‘limited to areas and operations where the use of radio is not mandatory’. The aircraft should be equipped with appropriate alternative warning devices in lieu of sound warnings.

(b)Examination An ENT examination should form part of all initial, revalidation and renewal examinations.

(c)Ear conditions

(1)Applicants with an active pathological process of the internal or middle ear should be assessed as unfit until the condition has stabilised or there has been a full recovery.

(2)Applicants with an unhealed perforation or dysfunction of the tympanic membranes should be assessed as unfit. An applicant with a single dry perforation of non-infectious origin which does not interfere with the normal function of the ear may be considered for a fit assessment.

(d)Vestibular disturbance Applicants with disturbance of vestibular function should be assessed as unfit pending full recovery.

(e)Sinus dysfunction Applicants with any dysfunction of the sinuses should be assessed as unfit pending full recovery.

(g)Speech disorder Applicants with a significant disorder of speech or voice should be assessed as unfit.

(i)Eustachian tube dysfunction Applicants with permanent dysfunction of the Eustachian tube(s) may be assessed as fit if ENT evaluation is satisfactory.

AMC · AMC2 MED.B.080 — Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 · ED Decision 2019/002/R · Aircrew Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 25 Nov 2025

GMGuidance material

GM1 MED.B.080Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

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PURE TONE AUDIOGRAM The pure tone audiogram may also cover the 4 000 Hz frequency for early detection of decrease in hearing.

GM · GM1 MED.B.080 — Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 · ED Decision 2019/002/R · Aircrew Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 25 Nov 2025

GMGuidance material

GM2 MED.B.080Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

Show the text

PURE TONE AUDIOGRAM The pure tone audiogram may also cover the 4 000 Hz frequency for early detection of decrease in hearing.

GM · GM2 MED.B.080 — Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 · ED Decision 2019/002/R · Aircrew Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 25 Nov 2025

All rules in SUBPART B – REQUIREMENTS FOR PILOT MEDICAL CERTIFICATES

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 25 Nov 2025, extracted 17 Aug 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.

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