Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Hearing Loss
A person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing – hearing thresholds of 20 dB or better in both ears – is said to have hearing loss. Hearing loss may be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. It can affect one ear or both ears and leads to difficulty in hearing conversational speech or loud sounds. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 2.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Hearing Loss Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with hearing loss do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. Here they are below:
Hearing loss applicants can qualify under 2 different listings:
- Hearing Loss Not Treated With A Cochlear Implant (2.10) – which requires:
- An average hearing threshold of 60 to 90 decibels or greater in the better ear, dependent upon the testing method
OR - A word recognition score of 40 percent or lower in the better ear
- An average hearing threshold of 60 to 90 decibels or greater in the better ear, dependent upon the testing method
- Hearing Loss with a Cochlear Implant (2.11) –
- which automatically qualifies medically for disability benefits for at least one year after surgery.
OR - If more than 1 year after implantation, a word recognition score of 60 percent or less
- which automatically qualifies medically for disability benefits for at least one year after surgery.
In summary, you can get a disability for hearing loss if you have:
- an average hearing threshold of 90 decibels or greater in your good ear
- a word recognition score of 40% or less in your better ear (if you don’t have cochlear implants)
- a word recognition score of 60% or less a year after receiving a cochlear implant
- or are within 1 year of getting a cochlear implant.
If your hearing loss is not severe enough to meet one of these hearing loss listings, you may be able to qualify for benefits by meeting or closely matching the Disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function (2.07) listing instead. For this listing, your medical records must show you experience ongoing issues with balance and tinnitus along with a progressive decline in hearing ability.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
