The Social Security Administration grants disability benefits to persons who have severe hearing impairment in both ears. But this isn’t the case or moderate or mild hearing loss. In the deliberation of a disability claim, the SSA will require medical evidence that shows the existence and extent of your medical impairment.
How SSA Evaluates And Tests Hearing Loss
There are a variety of ways hearing loss can be measured by the SSA when determining your disability case. It’s important to note that all tests will be done without using hearing aids. Commonly used methods include:
i. Speech recognition testing: Though not part of a routine audiology test, measuring your speech reception threshold can be helpful in your disability claim. If you’re unable to recognize speech accurately, you won’t be able to perform a range of jobs, particularly those requiring interaction.
ii. Pure-tone bone conduction tests: This method is done in tandem with the pure-tone air conduction test. It involves the use of a headset that sends mild electric signal waves to the back of the skull to measure the cochlear’s hearing ability
iii. Pure-tone air conduction testing: This is the most commonly used method and is considered to be the best way of determining a person’s hearing ability. The procedure measures a person’s hearing threshold by transmitting a series of beeps via the individual’s headphones to see if it will elicit a response.
The aforementioned are some of the diagnostics the SSA will use when verifying your disability claim.
SSA’s Blue Book Listings
The SSA has a medical listing with strict and detailed guidelines as to which hearing loss impairments automatically qualify for disability benefits. You must have met certain criteria for you to be eligible for hearing loss disability. Applicants of hearing loss can qualify under Listing 2.10
Listing 2.10
It states the conditions needed for one to automatically qualify for hearing loss disability and applies to those who don’t have a cochlear implant. For you to qualify, you must satisfy one or both of the following tests.
– Audiometry: Your average air conduction test should have a hearing threshold sensitivity of 90 decibels or higher in your better ear or 60 decibels or more in the better ear using bone conduction. The hearing loss is calculated by the averaging your hearing at 500 hertz (Hz), 1,000 Hz, and 2,000Hz sound frequencies.
– Word Recognition Test: Your score on a standardized speech discrimination test should be 40% or lower in the better ear.
All medical reports and documents submitted will need to have been administered by a licensed otolaryngologist or audiologists. If you’re unable to afford an audiometric physician, you should request the SSA to arrange you with a free consultation exam before the hearing. Qualifying for hearing loss disability may additionally make you eligible for other federal and state programs that include medical cover via Medicare or Medicaid.
