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Pekas Smith Disability Attorneys are SSDI lawyers for hearing loss in Arizona. You may qualify for disability benefits if you are unable to work because of hearing problems or deafness. Call our firm to learn more and begin your case.
Does Social Security Consider Hearing Loss a Disability?
Hearing loss may qualify for Social Security Disability under Blue Book listings 2.10 and 2.11. A person may qualify if they have profound hearing loss. A cochlear implant is not required.
Hearing loss may be considered a Social Security disability if it is severe enough to prevent the person from doing any gainful employment activity. Severe hearing loss may automatically qualify, but a person may qualify by showing that their impairment or a combination of impairments prevents them from working.
Claiming SSDI for Hearing Loss
If you can’t work because of hearing loss, our Arizona disability attorneys want you to know:
- If you have suffered hearing loss, you may qualify to receive Social Security disability payments.
- Having a cochlear implant is not required.
- A claim requires a medical evaluation and testing that measures your hearing levels.
- You must meet income limitations. You must have a sufficient work history or other qualifications.
- To receive benefits, you must apply.
Don’t know how to apply?
If you don’t know how to apply for disability benefits, our lawyers can help. We represent people seeking disability benefits for hearing loss.
Have your SSDI benefits been denied?
We can help! Our team can handle your case at any stage, including filing for reconsideration and appeals.
Whatever the status of your benefits application, our SSDI lawyers can represent you. With more than 30 years of experience focusing on disability benefits law, we are equipped to serve your interests and pursue your benefits.
Call or message us for your free consultation.
Hearing Loss and Disability Benefits
The Social Security Administration evaluates hearing loss in Section 2.00 Special Senses and Speech – Adult of its Blue Book. Evaluations are divided into two categories, reflecting whether the person has been treated with cochlear implantation.
2.10 – Hearing loss not treated with cochlear implantation
A person without cochlear implantation equals a listing in one of two ways:
- With an average air conduction threshold of 90 dB (decibels) or greater in the better ear and an average bone conduction hearing threshold of 60 dBs or greater in the better ear. Air conduction refers to the outer and middle ear. Bone conduction includes transmissions through the skull into the inner ear.
- With a word recognition score of 40% or less in the better ear. Word recognition is the percentage of words a person can discern at the threshold level. Testing should be done using a standard list of phonetically balanced, one-syllable words.
At these levels, a person is profoundly deaf. A person is unable to hear a lawnmower, vacuum cleaner, or even a conversation at normal levels.
2.11 – Hearing loss treated with cochlear implantation
If a person has a cochlear implant, they are considered disabled for one year. After one year, they are disabled if they score a 60% or less on the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT).
Proving Hearing Loss for Social Security Disability Benefits
To prove hearing loss, you must show a medical impairment of hearing ability, evidenced by an otologic exam and audiometric measurements of your hearing loss. An otologic exam is a medical examination of your ears. It must include a medical history and an in-depth description of the impact of the hearing loss, the physical appearance of the ears, and the medical professional’s assessment.
The audiometric measurement shows the impact of the medical condition on hearing ability. A licensed audiologist or otolaryngologist may perform the test. The audiometric test should be no later than two months after the ear exam.
In addition to medical and audiometric testing, examiners will consider other relevant information, both medical and non-medical. For example, information from family, friends, and coworkers about your interactions with them and daily functioning may be helpful to show hearing loss.
Exact audiometric testing procedures depend on whether the person has a cochlear implant. There are detailed guidelines outlined in sections 2.00B2c, 2.200B2e, and 2.00B3b. There are additional guidelines for documenting hearing loss for a person who is not fluent in English.
Why You Need an SSDI Lawyer for Hearing Loss
Below are some reasons why people hire the Pekas Smith Disability Attorneys for their hearing loss Social Security disability benefits application:
We know the law.
Our lawyers know how to apply for disability benefits. We know how to file a complete application. If you didn’t receive the result that you were looking for in your application, we know what to do next. Our team can navigate any complex legal issues that are specific to your case.
We know the medical requirements.
Winning a case for disability for hearing loss requires specific medical evidence. It’s not enough just to have your doctor write you a note that you have hearing loss. Qualified medical professionals must perform the evaluations and tests that claims examiners need to see with an application. We take the lead in gathering this evidence to prepare a complete application.
We can prepare your case.
The Pekas Smith Disability Attorneys are experienced litigators. We can present your case at a hearing. We prepare with you before the hearing so that you are confident in what to expect.
Our representation is complete, handling the application, supporting evidence, hearings, and procedures for each case.
Free Consultation – Talk to a Lawyer
We invite you to talk to our SSDI lawyers about your hearing loss. Let us answer your questions about how to qualify for benefits and any details relating to your situation. Meet our legal team.
Let’s discuss how our legal services may help you.
Attorneys Jeremy D. Pekas, Tye Smith, and Sterling King lead a team that serves clients throughout Arizona. We understand that you need your benefits. We want to make the process easy and your claim successful.
Call us or send us a message to talk to Pekas Smith Disability Attorneys and begin your case today.
