Hearing Loss and Social Security Disability Benefits
TELL US WHAT HAPPENED SO WE CAN HELP. FREE CONSULTATION
Contact Us About Your Case
FREE Consultation Today.
Disability Benefits for Hearing Impairments
How Hearing Loss Impacts Work
Hearing is critical for communication, safety, and productivity in nearly every workplace. When hearing loss and social security disability impairments prevent you from performing essential job functions, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The SSA recognizes severe hearing impairments under Section 2.00 of the Blue Book: Special Senses and Speech Disorders.
At MLF Legal, our social security disability attorneys help Texans, and people nationwide, navigate the disability claims process. Call us today at 214-357-1782 for a free consultation.
Common Hearing Conditions That May Qualify
Profound Hearing Loss: Inability to hear sounds at 90 decibels or greater.
Cochlear Implant Recipients: Automatic qualification for one year post-surgery, with continued evaluation thereafter.
Meniere’s Disease: Chronic inner ear disorder causing vertigo, tinnitus, and progressive hearing loss.
Auditory Neuropathy: Disruption of sound transmission from the inner ear to the brain.
Chronic Ear Infections: Leading to permanent hearing damage.
SSA Evaluation Criteria
The SSA uses medical evidence and testing to evaluate hearing claims:
Audiometry Tests: Measure hearing thresholds across frequencies.
Word Recognition Scores: Assess ability to understand spoken language.
Medical Records: Document chronic conditions or surgical interventions.
Even if your condition does not meet the exact listing, you may still qualify if your hearing loss and social security disability prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity. This is part of the sequential evaluation process.
The Sequential Evaluation Process
The SSA uses a five-step sequential evaluation process to decide disability claims:
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): Are you currently working and earning above the SGA threshold?
Severity of Impairment: Is your hearing impairment severe enough to significantly limit basic work activities?
Meeting or Equaling a Listing: Does your condition meet or medically equal the SSA’s Blue Book listing for hearing impairments?
Past Relevant Work: Based on your RFC, can you still perform the work you’ve done in the past?
Other Work: If you cannot perform past work, can you adjust to other jobs given your age, education, and RFC?
For many claimants with hearing impairments, steps 4 and 5 are decisive. Even if the listing is not met, the SSA may find that your limitations prevent you from sustaining competitive employment.
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)
If your hearing impairment does not meet the SSA’s listing, the agency will evaluate your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). RFC measures what you can still do despite your limitations. For hearing impairments, this may include:
Ability to understand speech with or without hearing aids
Capacity to follow instructions in noisy environments
Limitations on jobs requiring verbal communication or auditory safety signals
Need for accommodations such as captioning or assistive listening devices
RFC is critical because it determines whether you can perform past relevant work or adjust to other work in the national economy.
Strengthening Your Claim
To build a strong disability case:
Provide audiology records and test results.
Document daily limitations (difficulty communicating, inability to follow instructions, safety concerns).
Include supporting statements from doctors, therapists, and family.
Work with a social security disability attorney to ensure your claim is properly presented.
Why Choose MLF Legal
At MLF Legal, we understand the challenges of living with hearing loss. Our team combines legal expertise with compassionate advocacy to help you the complexities of hearing loss and social security disability benefits.
Call 214-357-1782 today to schedule your consultation. We are dallas-based social security disability attorneys, but we provide nationwide representation.
FAQs About Hearing Loss and Social Security Disability Benefits
What hearing conditions qualify for disability benefits?
Profound hearing loss, cochlear implant recipients, Meniere’s disease, auditory neuropathy, and chronic ear damage may qualify.
Do I need to be completely deaf to qualify?
No. Severe hearing loss or inability to understand speech may also qualify.
What medical evidence is required?
Audiology records, audiometry tests, word recognition scores, and documentation of functional limitations.
How does the SSA decide disability claims for hearing impairments?
Through the five-step sequential evaluation process, including RFC analysis.
How can MLF Legal help with my claim?
We ensure your case is properly documented and presented to maximize your chance of approval.
Call MLF Legal today
214-357-1782
Fill out our online form
for a free consultation.
We only get paid if we win your case.