Will I be able to weld?

[Alreid29]

Hey guys I'm 18 and about to graduate high school, but earlier this year I had an accident and now I have no hearing in my right year for the rest of my life. And I am honestly wondering, do I have a chance in the welding world?

 

[Engineer1964]

Hey guys I'm 18 and about to graduate high school, but earlier this year I had an accident and now I have no hearing in my right year for the rest of my life. And I am honestly wondering, do I have a chance in the welding world?

Last i heard, you did welding with your hands not your ears

I know many of welders who have been welding who are a bit deaf, or have hearing problems, I'm sure you'll overcome any hearing issues in a noise environment like a workshop, you have one good ear, are you hearing ok with the one?

Would a hearing aid work at all, mine you its pointless having a hearing aid in a noisy workshop, but personally i don't think it will be a problem for you

 

[Pete.]

Last i heard,

Go on - rub it in why don't you

 

[cumbriasteve]

When I was an apprentice the top welder in the company was totally deaf, from birth I think...so can't see it being an issue at all regarding welding skills.

There may be the rare instance where hearing impairment is an issue regardless of welding, I know in the last place I worked (nuclear) there was areas you were not allowed to work if you were registered with a hearing disability due to the requirement for immediate action in case of certain serious incident alarms.

 

[zzr1200]

H.......armless or blind would be a bit of a problem but deafness no

 

[matt1978]

I think you will be fine. Hearing isn't one of the senses used much in welding.

All that make it sound like bacon frying (when talking about setting up dip transfer on a mig) is a bit of a clichè

Everyone interprets sounds differently anyway so you need to be able to 'read' the weld pool with your eyes to see if more wire/ less voltage etc is required.

I can't think of a single reason or occasion where perfect hearing would make you a better welder

Good luck.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I can't think of a single reason or occasion where perfect hearing would make you a better welder

Good luck.

I can..I used to go to the workshop to escape nagging...more practice..better welder

 

[normspanners]

Hi mate sorry to hear (no pun intended) about your accident but I would have thought you would be fine in most applications.
But I thought most teenagers are totally deaf? I know my 3 are/were, say anything to them, all ya get is EH!! You try about 5 times then they take out the ear pieces and say WHAT!!! I was listening, YEH to the phone or music!! more like.
Seriously though I must say if I am welding anything that is a bit tricky I dont like not being able to 'hear' the weld !! and when someone else is welding you can sometimes diagnose what setting is wrong by the sound !

 

[matt1978]

I can..I used to go to the workshop to escape nagging...more practice..better welder

Oh yeah how did I forget that one

 

[gavuk]

I agree with the previous comments ,it is totally possible to weld without hearing by sight alone ,but i do think hearing can make life easier...
I need all the help I can get ,but often workshops are too noisy to hear properly ,You do still have some hearing in the left ear?......you will be fine and good luck

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Your company ill save money one earplugs at least!

 

[Hitch]

I agree with everyone else, if you have hearing in your other ear still, you'll be fine...
If you are virtually fully deaf, that may cause problems....

 

[normspanners]

You could borrow one from Mr Spock (Startrek) he had THREE -------
A left ear -------A right ear ---------- and a FINAL FRONTEAR

Its not all bad though,

Your company ill save money one earplugs at least!

And at least you'll have a good (genuine) reason to ignore ya Missus

 

[pedrobedro]

You'll still be able to do the job but if a one off job comes in you'll not be able to play it by ear (an English expression meaning "wing it")