Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss is the third most common health problem that Americans experience in the United States.

Hearing loss is the total or significant loss of the ability to hear sound. There are several causes of hearing loss such as age, genetics, noise exposure and illness. When an individual beginnings to lose his or her hearing, their quality of life may become affected. He or she will no longer be able to engage in conversations the same and may start to seclude themselves from typical social engagements. The individual will also lose their ability to listen to music and hear basic everyday noises such as doorbells and alarms.

The symptoms of hearing loss vary depending on what caused the hearing loss. Symptoms include:

-Muffled sounds and noises

-Vertigo or dizziness

-Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)

-Pain within the ears

-Ear pressure

-Sensitivity to sound

-Speech delay (in children)

For many people, hearing loss occurs slowly over time and can be difficult to notice. The person’s family and friends might notice the hearing problems before he or she themselves notice. It is best to go to a doctor or medical professional to get a hearing test done if the individual or their family believes he or she might have some sort of hearing loss. There potentially could be treatments available to help the hearing loss depending on the type of hearing loss.

Sections 2.10 and 2.11 of Chapter 2 Special Senses and Speech deals with hearing loss and what is needed to satisfy the requirements.

2.10: Hearing loss not treated with cochlear implantation

Requirement A: An average air conduction hearing threshold of 90 decibels or greater in the better ear as well as an average bone conduction hearing threshold of 60 decibels or greater in the better ear.

OR

Requirement B: A word recognition score of 40% or less in the better ear determined using a standardized list of phonetically balanced monosyllabic words.

2.11: Hearing loss treated with cochlear implantation

Requirement A: Individual has had cochlear implants in one or both ears for one year after implantation.

OR

Requirement B: After one year of implantation, a word recognition score of 60% or less determined using the HINT.

In addition to requiring specific results from your hearing tests, the SSA also requires your hearing tests are conducted in a particular manner and by the right person:

The doctor that performs your hearing exams must either be a licensed otolaryngologist or an audiologist that either holds a license or is certified by: The American Board of Audiology or The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Your doctor must also perform a physical examination of your ear prior to testing and must document physical findings, including the condition of your external and internal ear, tympanic membranes, and middle ear.

If you wear hearing aids, your hearing evaluations must be conducted without them.

If you need help applying for Social Security Disability or SSI, please contact me at joshben99@gmail.com. I have over 20 years experience with Social Security Disability cases.

Location: Michigan, USA

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