by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
From time to time people ask me whether they are eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) because they now have a hearing loss. This most often occurs when someone has had normal hearing and then experiences a sudden hearing loss. Compared to before they lost their hearing, it now seems like they can’t function in a hearing world—hence this question.
It is true that, in general, people with uncorrected hearing loss do indeed have a much harder time getting and keeping jobs in spite of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Several studies also have revealed that typically hard of hearing people often earn less than their hearing counterparts.
Thus, it may seem that the only way to survive is to obtain SSD. To me this is just wimping out. When you lose part of your hearing, you don’t also automatically lose your intelligence, your skills and your experience. With a bit of accommodation, you are still capable of supporting yourself and your family.
However, if you have a severe/profound hearing loss AND one or more other disabilities, you may find it almost impossible to work, or to find an employer that will work around your disabilities as they would be too disruptive to the job.
For example, say you have Meniere’s Disease and have daily or weekly bouts of intense dizziness or vertigo so all you can do is lay down because your balance is shot. These attacks happen without warning. Thus, your attendance at work (and indeed your ability to work) is sporadic and unpredictable. In such cases, you might need to apply for SSD as your only way to keep body and soul together.
Navigating the SSD application process is a bit of a minefield. You submit your application to the Social Security Administration—and to your dismay, you are summarily turned down. What do you do now? This is where you need help from lawyers well versed in the SSD process. The problem can be in finding a knowledgeable SSD lawyer in your area. One place you can turn to is the Social Security Disability Help website. It is maintained by lawyers around the country who specialize in helping qualified people obtain SSD benefits.
I asked Ram Meyyappan, the manager of the Social Security Disability Help website to write an article that will help you (hard of hearing people) understand the SSD eligibility rules and will guide you through the application process. Here it is.
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Applying for SSD if You Have a Hearing Loss
by Ram Meyyappan
The Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) eligibility guidelines for disability benefits with any diagnosis are complex.
The first step in the application process is to file an initial application for SSD. More than 60% of these are denied. The next step is the request for reconsideration, where you can submit any documents you may have omitted in the initial application. Over 80% of reconsideration requests are denied as well.
Your best chance of being awarded benefits is at the third stage, known as the hearing stage. This will be your only chance to argue your case in person in front of an Administrative Law Judge. The good news is that about 60% of claims are approved at this hearing stage.
Hearing loss is one of the conditions recognized in the SSA’s Blue Book. However, qualifying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits with a hearing loss diagnosis will require a substantial amount of medical testing and documentation.
Degrees of Hearing Loss and SSD Eligibility
Typically, you will have a better chance of your SSD claim being approved if you have both a hearing loss and another disabling condition, although hearing loss alone can qualify you for SSD benefits under certain circumstances.
In order for deafness and profound hearing loss to be eligible for SSD benefits you will need to provide substantiating documentation of the limitations these conditions place on you. In addition, you must include the results of particular diagnostic tests in your SSD application.
Mild and moderate hearing loss do not meet the SSA’s criteria for disability as they are not believed to present significant enough limitations in your performance of everyday tasks or in your ability to sustain gainful employment. That being said, even mild and moderate hearing loss can be partial qualifiers for SSD benefits if they are part of a larger syndrome or other illness that meets disability benefit requirements.
If your hearing loss is related to another medical condition, your SSD claim must include documentation of both conditions and the effects they have on your ability to work and perform everyday tasks. In addition, both conditions must be expected to last for a year or more.
Medical Documentation in a Hearing Loss SSD Application
If you are an SSD applicant and have undergone cochlear implant surgery, you automatically qualify for SSD benefits for 12 months following your implantation. Note that automatic qualification does not negate your need to complete the SSD application or to provide adequate substantiating medical documentation of your condition. It simply means claims based on cochlear implant surgery and hearing loss are expedited for quick approval by the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office.
At the end of the one-year post-op period, you, as a cochlear implant recipient, must undergo a re-evaluation with the SSA to determine if you are still eligible for disability benefits. In order to qualify for continued benefits, your word recognition in the Hearing in Noise Test, (HINT) must be 60 percent or lower. Periodic re-evaluations are conducted for all SSD recipients, and provided your HINT rating does not improve, you will continue to be found eligible for benefits.
If you have not had cochlear implant surgery, you must meet one of the following two sets of guidelines in order to receive disability benefits with a hearing loss diagnosis. The guidelines are defined by the type of hearing test that documents hearing loss and also require specific diagnostic findings on those hearing tests to meet eligibility standards.
1. Word Recognition Testing Criteria
Word recognition tests measure your “speech discrimination” abilities—that is, your ability to hear, understand and repeat words spoken to you during the exam. In order to meet eligibility criteria through a word recognition test, you must have a speech discrimination rating of 40 percent or lower in your “better ear”. Your better ear is the one in which your hearing loss is less significant. In other words, you must not be capable of accurately repeating back any more than 40 percent of the words spoken to you during the exam.
2. Audiometry Criteria
Qualifying under the Audiometry criteria means you must have an average air conduction hearing threshold of 90 decibels (dB) or lower in your better ear. You must additionally have a hearing threshold with bone conduction of 60 dB or less in your better ear as well. The hearing loss averaging process uses the three frequency measurements: 500, 1,000, and 2,000 hertz (Hz).
In addition to defining the types of tests required and the diagnostic results of those exams, the SSA also clearly defines the medical practitioners that are approved for completing hearing loss examinations and medical record documentation for SSD applications. Any hearing loss exam, no matter the type, must be completed by a licensed physician, an otolaryngologist (ENT), or an audiologist that is working under the direct supervision of either a licensed physician or ENT.
Independent Evaluation
The SSA can always require you to attend a medical evaluation with a physician contracted with the DDS. The purpose of this appointment is to obtain further information necessary for accurately determining your eligibility for benefits.
The SSA may require you to take an Auditory Evoked Response Test (AERT) done by an audiologist. This test actually measures your brain activity in response to sounds in order to determine if your hearing loss is truly as pronounced as other more common hearing tests indicate it to be. If you do not take this test, or if the AERT shows significantly different results, your application for benefits will be denied.
Qualifying for SSD without Profound Hearing Loss or Deafness
As previously mentioned, hearing loss in combination with other disabling conditions can be a basis for a successful SSD application. There are certain circumstances under which hearing loss that does not meet the SSA’s definition of “profound” can also qualify for disability benefits. Specifically, you must show that your hearing loss seriously limits your functional capacity. You must prove you cannot hold gainful employment as a result of the level of hearing loss from which you suffer.
In most functional capacity hearing loss claims, your level of education and type of work experience are the primary factors considered in your inability to find and sustain gainful employment. Approval of an application under these circumstances is considered a medical vocational allowance by the SSA.
Some applicants are approved for benefits without further requirements; however, in some cases, the SSA may require you to participate in vocational rehabilitation in order to acquire new job skills that can help you find work in another field—one in which your hearing loss would not be a major issue. Receipt of SSD benefits is contingent upon your participation in vocational rehabilitation in such cases.
Your Hearing Loss Disability Claim
When filing for SSD with a diagnosis of hearing loss, it’s crucial you work closely with your treating physician(s) to appropriately document your condition for your disability application. Having legal assistance in filing your claim can also be beneficial. Most Social Security lawyers charge no fees for their services up front and are only paid if/when you are approved for benefits.
As mentioned previously, the majority of hearing loss disability applications are initially denied. This means that most applicants who wish to continue pursuing benefits eventually need to attend an appeal hearing with an administrative law judge. You may find it wise to hire a Social Security disability attorney to assist you throughout the application and appeals processes as using the services of a Social Security disability attorney can increase the chances your claim will be approved.
Ram Meyyappan
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org
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To learn whether you have the right attitude towards collecting social security disability benefits, read our companion article called “Hearing Loss and Social Security Disability“.
Also, read the excellent article by Deanna Power called “Do You Qualify for Social Security Benefits” on page 29 of Winter 2017 edition of Hearing Health magazine.
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To learn more about SSD and how to apply for it, go to the official US Social Security Disability website. There you will find eligibility rules and the forms you need to start this process.
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You might also want to check out TheSimpleDollar.com. They recently researched and published a guide and tool to help people understand social security disability benefits.
In the course of their research, they found that most people who have become or already living with disabilities were not fully aware of the benefits and resources that are available for them. This guide will not only answer common questions, such as how to qualify for but also features a calculator that can help estimate monthly and annual benefits.
You can see this guide at http://www.thesimpledollar.com/disability-benefits-guide/. Scroll about half way down this web page to see the disability benefit checker.
I have profound hearing lost in my left ear. I would like to know if I eligable for ssd and I’m thinking about having the cochlear implant surgery.
Hi Constance:
If your right ear is hearing, then you wouldn’t be eligible for SSDI, nor would you likely be eligible for a cochlear implant. If your right ear is totally deaf, then you would likely be eligible for a cochlear implant. As for SSDI, they still might reject your application unless you have some other disability as well as hearing loss.
Regards
Neil
I am 33 and have had a learning disability for ever my wife fills out my application for me I got hurt at work and lost a lot if use of my left arm and I am now deaf in my right ear and have some loss in my left ear were I have a tub to help and there talking about a Baha in-plant for my right do I qualify for ssd and if my left ear don’t get better there talking about a Baha for that ear to I have done fiscal labor jobs all my life can do that now do to my left arm and reading and righting and spelling have never been there
Hi Matthew:
If the BAHA hearing aid works well, then you’ll probably not be eligible for SSD as far as your hearing goes. Your physical disabilities may make you eligible though. So it never hurts to try–fill out an application and see what happens.
Just know that most applications are rejected the first time, so you may have to appeal (and appeal) until you are successful, or it is obvious you are not qualified for SSD.
Cordially,
Neil
Dear Neil.
What if someone is deaf in right ear and has an anxiety disorder and poor eye sight in left eye?
Hi Tasha:
I don’t know whether you’d be eligible. It depends if all the above restrict you from looking after yourself, etc., etc. Don’t be surprised if you get turned down.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi I have 80 to 90 percent hearing loss in my left ear and I have meniers and is effecting my attendance at work would I be a candidate?
Hi Tammy:
Do I assume correctly that you have normal or near normal hearing in your other ear? If so, your chances of getting SSD are much slimmer.
Rather than try to get SSD for your Meniere’s, why not wave good bye to your Meniere’s and then lead a normal life again? Wouldn’t you rather do that? If so, read my article on how to get rid of Meniere’s and then act on it. It really works. Everyone that has read it, acted on it and gotten back to me has reported success in dealing with their Meniere’s. You could be the next one. You can read this article, “Atlas Adjustments Alleviate Meniere’s Disease” at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/atlas-adjustments-alleviate-menieres-disease/.
Cordially,
Neil
My last Audiology test was profound hearing loss. I’m not sure what this means but it has 50 dB SRT 55 dB. My right and left ear has profound hearing loss. I also have Psoriatic arthritus that I am also using in my SS Disability. Can you tell me if my hearing is enough to meet the criteria.
Thank you,
Amy Davis
Hi Amy:
If you have an SRT (speech reception threshold) of 50 or 55, you don’t have a profound hearing loss except maybe at the very high frequencies. In the lower frequencies you likely have a moderate hearing loss. Thus, your hearing loss is probably not severe enugh to meet the criteria. I’d need to know your hearing loss in each ear by frequency before I have a better idea.
For comparison, your hearing is better than mine. My last audiogram some years ago showed an SRT of 65 dB and I’m not eligible–not that I care because I’m not interested in SSD.
Regards
Neil
I just had a hearing test done. With out hearing aids on the air conduction test in both ears LEFT EAR @ 500 HZ 105 DB. @ 1,000 HZ 100 DB and at 2000 HZ 85 DB. I. RIGHT EAR @ 500 HZ 115 DB @ 1000 HZ 105 DB. @ 2000 HZ 85DB. What’s all that mean ? Would I qualify for SSI?
Hi Sascha:
To be eligible for SSD you have to meet several criteria. One of them is that the hearing in your better ear has an average loss of 90 dB or greater at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz. In your case, your left ear is your better ear and it has an average loss of 96.6 dB. Thus, in this respect, you meet the SSD requirement.
However, you ALSO have to have a word recognition (discrimination) score of 40% or less in that ear. You don’t mention your WD scores so I can’t help you there.
In addition, you have to be evaluated as to how your hearing loss impacts your ability to work. If you can still do you job in spite of your hearing loss and lack of discrimination, then you would not be eligible.
Regards
Neil
Hi,
I have had a severe profound hearing loss since I was 4. I am now 43. I have no hearing in my right ear and about 15% left in my left ear. I have not been able to get a job in the last two years despite getting a few interviews. I can tell some of the interviewers were turned off cause of my hearing aid. I have a bte hearing aid as those are the only ones that help me hear somewhat decent. I am fairly certain I dont even get 40% on the word recognition test in the one ear that I have some hearing. Obviously dont recognize any words in my right ear. While I would love to work as I have in the past, it just isnt happening. Do I have a good chance of qualifying for disability?
Hi Jon:
If you live in the USA, I’d suggest rather than trying to get disability, you go to a VR (vocational rehabilitation) counselor in your state and work with them to get yourself a job since you are ready, able and willing to work. It will do much for your feelings of self-worth to be productively employed in spite of your hearing loss. They can give you help in how to get a job and can also provide you with any hearing assistive devices you might need in order to get and keep a job.
One other thing is that at any job interview, you need to show that you are the best person for the job in spite of your hearing loss. You also need to show that your hearing loss won’t be an issue because (and here you explain why). The gist of this will be that you have have solutions to communications difficulties that will work and won’t cost the employer an arm and a leg. For example, you could that in noisy environments someone has to touch your shoulder to get your attention before they try to speak with you–then speak slowly and clearly so you can speechread them, or hand them a paper and pencil and have them write down the key words, etc. Or maybe what you need is something like a PockeTalker and super directional microphone you can aim at the person (even though they are only 3 feet away) so you can hear and understand them.
When a prospective employer sees that you are the best person for the job AND that your hearing loss won’t be a major issue because you have thought out how to successfully communicate on the job, and that it won’t cost him an arm and a leg, you stand a very good chance of getting a job.
Regards
Neil
i’d had bilateral serneural hearing loss since i was three. 75% high frequtey (sp). can i get disability?
i went to the doctor and got a ear test done and my doctor told me that i have to get surgery done that putting a tube in the ear wont do anything for my hearing i have to go next month for my ear drum sergery,the doctor told me that is gonna take six month for my healing proses
I have 100% hearing loss in one ear anf perfect hearing in my other. I also have bipolar disorder, adhd, and anxiety which affect my ability to do work in certain areas and the hearing loss affects other jobs where there can be safety concerns. Ie manufacturing etc. Also with the medication i take along comes the side effects and more trouble keeping performance and attendance at their expectations. I am filing for ssdi and ssi with the intent to have cochular implant surgery soon. Will I automatically get approved for one year and then all of the other disabilities would be looked at later? Or does one need to have implants in both ears. Thanks
I am a bone anchored hearing aid. I have sever-profound hearing loss in one ear.90% loss and a 21% loss in the other. What are my chances of getting disability.
Hi Cami:
Probably very slim as you still have pretty good hearing in one ear. You don’t need disability. What you need is appropriate accommodations in the workplace so you can stay gainfully employed.
Regards
Neil
E Hello, your advice would be greatly appreciative.. I suffer from tinnitus(ringing of ears) with severe hearing loss, terrible speech recognition.Sensorial And conductive(mixed) hearing loss. And to top it off a reversal slope hearing loss.. I’ve a hearing of 90 db @500HZ 85db @750 75db@1000 30db@8000 speech recognition of 22% UCL 100 MCL 85 SRT 80 PTA 70 conditions mirror each other with both ears. Yes,all this I’ve been battling for the past four years After a stupid mistake/accident regarding hair chemicals,my ears and a night club. Like you Dr. Neil I’ve always worked wanted more had more than what ssdi offered, however lost job after accident due to hearing stayed unemployed for over a year couldn’t land a job. Seemed like i was automatically disqualified regardless of of my qualifications and skills because of my noted hearing loss.Finally i land a job mainly bc.former college roommate worked HR in food service! Making way less than previously as Administrated Assistant. Bc of loss i suffered economically,mentally and physical. Have had many breakdowns at work through the years. I’m just mentally and physically exhausted of my.circumstances. Can’t move forward at a standstill with employment on top of the added stress and isolation ots brought abt due to hearing. Quite unbelievable. I dont want to just give up, but I need time to adjust focus on making my life better. I can’t do that while stuck working a minimum.wage job. My question is with.all that I’ve told you do you thi.k SSA would take my situation into consideration and grant me benefits so that I can go back to school and receive certification in some field, that I could possibly work and gain a descent earning? Thanks in advance.
Hi Khaisha:
I’m no expert on SSA, but I think you really want to get it touch with a vocational rehabilitation counselor in your area. THEY are the people that can get you appropriate hearing aids and training if that is what you need in order to get/keep a job. So that would be the first place I’d start. I think each state has such a department–whatever they might call it. If you don’t know what it is called in your state maybe do a Google search using your state’s name and “vocational rehabilitation” and see what comes up.
I wish you well.
Regards
Neil
Ha! I just realized who I wrote too! (Been googling info all night) You Sir Dr. Neil slightly know of my struggle! Came across one of your blogs about reversal slope hearing loss. You suffer as well, I apologize for saying but it was a relief to read your blog and know that it’s some one else out there that knows rather understand my struggles. Gave me hope that I no longer will be brushed asided it’s ppl out there who suffer like me and want answers and change.Just wanted to say thanks for your time and effort
Hi Khaisha:
Yes, I well know what a reverse slope hearing loss is like and the struggles we go through as a result. But I have refused to let it stop me from being productively engaged in meaningful work. No, it hasn’t been easy, but that is good for character-building if nothing else .
However, with proper accommodations, you should be able to do almost any job you want. Unfortunately, too many employers don’t want to hire a disabled person. Thus you have to show them two things–first, that you are the most qualified (best) person for the job, and two, that your hearing loss won’t be a serious problem because you have thought ti through and here’s how you will be able to manage (and list various situations you’d find yourself on the job and then list your solutions that will let you succeed in spite of your hearing loss. When a prospective employer sees that you know how to “fix” your hearing loss and that it won’t cost him an arm and a leg, he will be then much more willing to hire you.
So sit down and think through the various situations where hearing could be a problem and come up with solutions for each of them. Sometimes it may be sending you and email instead of phoning you (if you have trouble hearing on the phone) which wouldn’t cost the business a penny extra, or giving you preferential seating at meetings, etc. Other times it might be buying you an assistive listening device to help you hear in certain situations (personal amplifier, amplified phone, etc). These devices typically don’t cost much so price typically isn’t an issue. (And maybe the vocational rehabilitation people can purchase you any necessary assistive devices you’d need so even that won’t be a problem.)
Regards
Neil
Just wanted to say thank you for your.replies. And note I do have an Vocational Rehab appt this coming month. Thanks again though. Good day.
Hello I have a baby , can I get SSI if she has hearing loss moderate ?
Hi Patricia:
I rather doubt it. Her hearing loss doesn’t affect your ability to hold down a job.
Regards
Neil
Hello Doctor,
I have a BAHA hearing aid on my left side and i m totally deaf on the right side.
What are the chances for SSD?
Thank you
Hi Mike:
If the BAHA is working reasonably well for you, then you should do what you can to keep on working. You could work with a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor in your state to get you any accommodations you need so you can keep a job. Leave the SSD for the people that really need it. You have not lost any of your talents, brains or abilities just because you can’t hear much now. So use them and be a productive citizen if at all possible. That’s my opinion–and that’s what I have done all my life rather than trying to get disability.
Regards
Neil
I have two cochlear implants, one in April 2012 and second in November 2013, so I qualify for SSD
Hi Vince:
Typically, having two cochlear implants does NOT qualify you for SSD. The whole purpose of getting CIs is so you can hear again–thus you can hold down a job–so you don’t need SSD. That’s assuming your CI’s are a success and let you hear reasonably well again.
The purpose of SSD is for those who CAN’T work, not for those who can’t hear, as long as you can do the job.
Regards
Neil
Got my audiogram came in today and it made me concerned. Because it said “reliability-poor”
Pure tone air conduction results not consistent with speech tests results. Re-installed patient but air conduction thresholds did not improved. Tympanometry revealed very hypermobile TM mobility AV.”
SRT 60 60
WES 84% 76%
dB HD 90 90
LOL 105 105
Ear type peak physical-volume compliance
R AD 15. 1.6 5.4
L. AD. 20. 2.0. 2.0
PLUS Documents on major depression and anxiety.
Dear Neil,
I have been a County employed heavy equipment operator for nearly 35 yrs. This is the only work I have ever done my entire life. I do not have a college degree. I will be 55 yrs. old Sept. 2015. I have had a long-standing history of b/l SNHL with progressive hearing loss bilaterally for 30 yrs. I developed an acute decline in my left ear in 2000. The hearing loss affected my home and work life causing me to become depressed and withdrawn socially and a increasing danger on the job. My co-workers knew of my dangerous hearing loss around hazardous machinery but covered for me, hoping I would retire at 55. However, I began having small accidents at work from not being able to hear my co-workers, including one that resulted in me running into a building and another that caused an injury to my back because I could not hear my co-workers giving me directions. I was only reprimanded for hitting the building. I do not know if the bosses and legislatures higher-up know of my profound hearing loss but, even if they did, they may have thought they could not discriminate against me for my hearing loss. Years ago I also had a tree limb fall on my shoulder at work when I had to wear hearing protection to do the job (making my ability to hear while working even more impaired) so, when my co-worker yelled to me to move out of the way from another co-worker’s falling limb, I did not hear him and the limb hit my shoulder and forced me into the ground injuring my shoulder. Thankfully, it was covered by workmen’s comp. and my boss never allowed me to do that type of work again. I was lucky it did not kill me and thankfully, these latest incidents did not either. However, when I became a crane operator about 6 yrs ago (I took that position hoping the use of hand signals would help me do my job more safely) and could no longer hear back up signals or horns, etc, that it was time to try a cochlear implant. I went to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and after all the preliminary testing, etc. I found out that I was was eligible and approved for the implant in my left ear and I had to get a hearing aid for my right ear to help give me a sense of direction and balance. Before my implant my right ear had word recognition of 66% and my left ear had 0% as it was too painful to even have the test done in that ear. I had the implant in my left ear in April 2013. My surgeon allowed me to return to work after my activation. The implant changed my life at home and in social settings, as my speech recognition was improved greatly but, unfortunately neither my surgeon nor myself realized that I would have to turn my implant and hearing aid off at work due to the extreme loud noise I encounter on the job. Such noise levels are too painful for me with the implant on. I am also required to wear a hard hat and it gets in the way of the magnet needed to transmit signals so, I have to remove my device. I also work in a very dirty environment which could damage my device. So, when I take the devices off I wear ear plugs to preserve what little hearing I have left in my right ear and to plug the left ear because loud noises physically hurt my ear drum even though I cannot hear out of it. Ex. when we drive piling, the pile driver is extremely loud and I can feel the concussion going through my body. Therefore, while on the job, my cochlear implant is not able to be used so, I continue to be a danger to myself and others at work. It is time to retire. My retirement will pay out more than my NYS disability so I am staying until I turn 55 in 10 mo. I wanted to remain working until I was 65 but, this is all I know and I just can’t do it safely anymore. I am not eligible for my soc. sec. until at least 62 and my retirement will barely be enough to make ends meet until my soc. sec. kicks in. What I want to know is if I applied for my soc. sec. disability after I retire would I be eligible for SSD even though my word recognition has improved over 60% with the cochlear implant because I cannot use my implant or hearing aid on the job therefore, making me a danger on the job? If so, is there anything I need to do before my appt. with Soc. Sec. next year to get my case approved quicker? Do you think I have a strong enough case to apply on my own or should I get a lawyer before I schedule my appt? Thank you for your valued opinion. Jim
Hi Jim:
You’re a good man, but I think you are barking up the wrong tree. You are seeing that the problem is with your lack of hearing and safety issues so you think your only option is to retire and go on SSD. I disagree.
You said you want to work until you are 65 and I see no reason why you can’t do that. You just have to change jobs a bit so that you (and those around you) are safe while you are doing your job. Since safety seems to be a factor in really noisy places where you can’t wear your CI and yet you still need to be able to hear, you need to find a job where it isn’t so noisy so you can wear your CI, or a job where hand signals are used exclusively so your lack of hearing isn’t a problem.
Since you’ve worked for the county for 35 years, you probably know all the kinds of jobs you could do for them. Look at each one and analyze it for how you could do it safely–either exclusively with hand signals, or jobs that aren’t so noisy that you could do them with the aid of your CI. Maybe you can trade jobs with someone temporarily so you can finish out your last 10 months and then retire from the County, or if it all works out, stay with the County for the next 10 years and then retire at 65.
I’d talk it over with your boss or bosses boss–whomever is the most sympathetic to your case and see what you can work out for either the next 10 months, or in the long term.
If you can’t work out something for the long term (until you are 65), but they are willing to transfer you to another job for the next ten months, then take your pension from them and get out.
Since you still want to work, find another job where your hearing won’t be an insurmountable problem. For example, snow plow driver, road grader operator, earth mover operator, dump truck driver. Most of those jobs are where you operate independently so don’t have to hear all the time. And for example, if you are a dump truck driver, when you need to back up have them use hand signals so you don’t have to hear.
I think with a bit of creative thinking you can find a niche for yourself that will keep you happily employed until you are finally ready to retire.
That’s what I’d do rather than trying to get SSD now and you’ll be happier being gainfully employed than on SSD.
I wish you well.
Neil
Dear Neil,
I am 54 years old, I have bilateral hearing loss I where hearing aids but I still have difficulty hearing. In a perfect world” in a booth with headphones” my hearing in my right ear is MCL 75DBHL 100% and left ear 75DBHL 28% Pure tone threshold BC 65 85 85 85 85 My problem is when I step out in the real world the percentage in my right ear drop considerably I am whereing my hearing aids can someone like me apply for SSDI
Hi Carol:
I sure understand. Without my hearing aids I’m functionally deaf. With them, I may or may not understand much speech at all–depends on the hearing situation. In a quiet room with one other person I do very well. However, with multiple speakers, or noisier situations, my hearing aids become almost useless. Sure I hear–but I don’t understand a blooming thing. That’s one of the realities of hearing aids and our poor ears.
But that does not make us useless or worthless and thus need to retire on SSD. Rather, we need to find the niche where we fit in and can do a good job in spite of our hearing limitations.
There are all sorts of assistive listening devices and alerting devices that can help us cope in this noisy hearing world. I use fancy amplified phones with external accessories, I use an external amplifier for my cell phone. I use an external amplifier for my computer. I have all sorts of alerting devices. I use portable amplifiers when I’m “out and about” so I can hear in noisy situations. In other words, as long as the person I’m speaking with will cooperate, I can find a way to effectively communicate with him/her.
What I’ve just said above in a round about way is that if you ONLY depend on hearing aids, you are going to have a tough time. But if you use all the assistive devices necessary, and couple that with speechreading (which I’ve been doing since the day I was born) and use all the free coping strategies that make communicating ever so much easier, you can still be an asset to your employer.
At the same time, you need to find a job that is not an impossible one for a hard of hearing person. For example, I’d never want to be an air traffic controller, or an emergency dispatcher where good hearing is critical. But there are many jobs I can do with the proper accommodations. Or you could do what I have done and work for yourself. Since I own the Center for Hearing Loss Help I don’t have to worry about anyone ever firing me.
I encourage you to go for it–do what you need to do in order to effectively communicate like I do, rather than trying to get SSD, which I don’t think is the real answer for you.
Cordially,
Neil
Thank you Neil, the portable amplifier sound like it would be helpful. But I don’t understand what you meant when you said as long as the person your speaking with cooperate. I haven’t given up on working, right now I am trying to find jobs that do not require constant hearing. But I’m not having any luck.
Hi Carol:
If the person you are speaking with won’t cooperate, it’s almost impossible to carry on an intelligent conversation. For example, if you are a speechreader like I am and the person refuses to face you when they are talking, you just can’t speechread. Or perhaps you need the other person to speak into your microphone so you can hear them–and if they refuse, how are you going to hear.That’s what I mean by cooperation.
Cordially,
Neil
Thank you for exceedingly my expectations, I appreciate You
i can’t listen from my one year completely. so am i elligible for disability certificate? if yes,so how can i apply for the certificate?
Both of my ears are completely profoundly deaf can not hear a sounds or a word with hearing aids & with out it. I had surgery for cochlear implant and now can hear with it. Am I eligible for SSD?
Hi Cora:
Why would you want SSD now that you can hear again (at least to some degree)? Besides, there are a number of jobs you can do with minimal or no hearing. I’m all for remaining productive in spite of your hearing loss. What you really need is accommodations for your hearing loss. Rather than SSD, you should contact the Vocational Rehabilitation department in your state and get the help you need so you can successfully handle a job.
Cordially,
Neil
i can’t listen from my right ear completely since my birth so i want to know that am i elligible for disability certificate in india
I have mastoiditis and have had a mastoidectomy on both ears. I have has bone reconstruction on my left ear and have hearing loss in both ears. My right ear drum keeps protruding so Michigan ear institute doctor put a tube in that last a year. Do I qualify for SSI?
Also should note I qualify for hearing aids but cannot afford them and medicaid doesnt cover them 🙁
My 1 year old has bilateral moderate hearing loss he has to have hearing aids in both ears the audiologist said without hearing aids he wouldn’t develop correct language and it puts him at delay for learning would he qualify for benefits he has had all tests done
I have been tested and diagnosed with severe hearing loss i’m on disability/SSD due to my left leg has been amputated below the knee would i qualify for the cochlear implants. Please reply sincerely Curtis Williams
Hi Curtis:
You qualify for cochlear implants based on your hearing alone–not on other medical conditions. If you are not helped significantly by hearing aids and your hearing loss is worse than around 70 dB and your discrimination scores are 40% or less then you are likely eligible for cochlear implants. But the only way to know for sure is to go to a cochlear implant center and be evaluated.
Note that the above conditions relate to your better ear, not your worse ear. So if you have one ear with reasonably good ear, you are typically not eligible for a cochlear implant.
Cordially,
Neil
i having both ears hearing loss and i am only 40 yrs.old,so i want to know wether i will be illegible to apply for SSI?
Thank you Neal for your information and the quick response sincerely Curtis Williams.
i can’t listen from my right ear completely its disable about 70% since my birth so i want to know that am i elligible for disability certificate in india
My test is sensorineural profound hearing in both ears loss with 100db and srt discrimination says ” can’t ” , both ear require 100db or more does this mean I am going deaf??? Please let me know, thank you.
Become an expert in your field of interest and be a helpful and reliable employee. I have been bilateral nerve deaf mod since birth and now profound. Persistance will get you everywhere with a positive attitude. Chin up.
Hi I was born with nerve deafness I have worked different jobs through out my life and have been let go on some because iof my hearing I now have been working for a school for almost 11 years. I tutor children in reading I notice I am having a hard time understanding them when they read especially if they talk very low. I am 56 years old I love my job but I don’t want to make mistakes especially for the children’s records that I have to keep and turn in to the principals. Do I qualify sor SSD.
Hi Teresa:
Probably not, unless you have other health issues also. (But remember, I’m not a lawyer or expert on this.)
Do you wear hearing aids or use Assistive Listening devices? You may find that if you clip a lapel microphone on the child reading to you that you may hear him/her much better. You could use an inexpensive ALD such as a PockeTalker or Audable with the microphone. Then you could use earbuds/headphones or if you wear hearing aids that have t-coils, a neckloop and hear via the t-coils in your hearing aids. This would be a good workaround. I’d try something like this.
You can see the PockeTalker at http://hearinglosshelp.com/shop/pocketalker/ and the Audable at http://hearinglosshelp.com/shop/audable/ and a good lapel microphone that works with either of these devices at http://hearinglosshelp.com/shop/lapel-microphone/ .
Cordially,
Neil
My daughter is 10 and we just found out that she is profoundly deaf in her left ear (may have been born this way) and her right ear is EXTREMELY SENSITIVE.
Her grades fluctuate so much..
Should I apply for Disability for her?
Hi Jasmine:
As I see it, you don’t really want disability–and just perpetuate the current situation. You want effective help for your daughter so she can effectively cope with her hearing issues and ultimately take her place as a contributing member of society.
There are a number of government programs to help children with hearing loss issues.
Since she is deaf in one ear and her right ear has extreme sensitivity (hyperacusis), you may find that getting her a cochlear implant is a good solution. (You didn’t say whether her right ear has normal hearing or not.).
She also needs effective classroom strategies so she can learn and get good grades. There are also programs in place to address this. You need to take advantage of them in order to effectively help your daughter.
Cordially,
Neil
My average db in both ears at 1000 2000 3000 and 4000 is only 60
But thats because my 1000 score is only around 20 while the other frequencies are 80ish
Both ears nearly equal
Been like this since 20 years old bur progressively gets worse every 3 years or so. Im currently 35
I was army infantry and the high noise from weapons firing ect is what they say caused it.
My speech recognition scores are 42L and 52R
But I have plenty of test that say both ears under 40% and plenty of test that say both ears over 60%
Just one of those things
The Veterans affairs awarded me 50% hearing loss and 10% tinitus for a total og 60%
Roughly 1k a month that Im very grateful for
I recently applied for ssdi for my hearing loss
I also added my documentedwrist and shoulder and depression to the ssdi claim.
Doc….I know yoursaying that we can get decent jobs but its a lil harder…
I was military and also a police officer…
No way I can do those kinda jobs anymore
If you know of a website that can show me good paying jobs available to those with hearing loss then Id love to see whats available.
Thanks for any help
Hi Laron:
Good paying jobs go to the most qualified–in spite of hearing loss and/or other disabilities as long as you can do the job with the disability.
So the questions are, “Are you the best qualified for the job for which you are applying?” and “Can you physically do the job–perhaps with some accommodations?” If you can’t do the job even with accommodations, then you have to look for other jobs that you CAN do. Perhaps you need some extra training in another field to make yourself attractive to an employer.
Remember, when you are applying for a job, you don’t have to disclose any disability as long as you know you can do the job in spite of your disability. (Otherwise, when they find out, they make any excuse not to hire you.) The secret is to figure out ahead of time how you will be able to do the job in spite of your disability. Then, when asked at the interview, you can show them that your disability is a non-issue–and get them to focus on your qualifications. Show them that you are the most qualified.
Cordially,
Neil
I am 54 years old and have been struggling with hearing loss since I was 25. With each child birth (2) the loss showed marked decline…. one Dr. said it is hormonally involved. It is hereditary for me. my current situation: completely deaf in one ear and profound loss in the other.
I am a banking executive and have had a promising career. It seems unfair that this is happening as I would like to keep working but can see in this field of work that is ever changing that I am losing my edge. I know that others notice too. I can do some lip reading, but group meetings are terrible…. webinars and teleconferences are impossible. I attempted to get approval for a CI but our insurance will not cover any portion of the procedure. I have tried hearing aides twice and both times were unsuccessful, no imporvementl. I am mostly in a silent world now. Its heartbreaking really. My mother and my other relatives have all had varying degrees of this disability and I pray that I don’t pass it along to my children. I do not have my last audiologist numbers but they were bad…. on the word recognition the lady that ran the test just walked out shaking her head, and asked how I continue to work. I am not a quitter but the humiliation of this impairment is causing depression and stress. I feel that others think I should realize i’ve done all I can do and frankly I think so too. I understand you encouraging people to keep going but I’m not sure that is the best advice in every case and for the duration… how many years of pushing forward is enough? I am interested to know what you think the odds are for me to be approved for SSDI
Thanking you in advance for your time. Liz
Hi Liz:
I’d hate to see you “forced out” because of your lack of hearing. What caused your hearing loss? Was it otosclerosis? If so, maybe a bone conduction hearing aid like the BAHA or equivalent might help you hear again.
If you are eligible for a cochlear implant, try again. You say your insurance won’t cover it. Did you try to get them to cover it yourself? If that is the case, do it differently. Instead of you applying to your insurance company, go ahead and get approved for a CI by a CI center. That’s the first step. Next, choose which CI you want. Finally, get them to apply on your behalf. They know the tricks, exactly how to word things, etc. and have a department that goes after insurance companies to get you the approval you need. This method works in many cases–even after they’ve turned you down previously. So I’d give it a try. You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.
If neither of these options are suitable for you–get documentation that they won’t help you. Only then after you have exhausted all options would I try for SSDI. Be aware that you may have to appeal their initial decision–maybe even more than once. You might need a lawyer that specializes in this field to help you win.
Cordially,
Neil
Neil,
I’m not sure the exact cause or name for my hearing loss…. at my last visit the Dr. stated that a CI was my only option so?
I had initially applied for coverage. I also had the Implant team (Cleveland Clinic) try for me after I was denied. I filed an appeal twice and was denied both times.
I know my Aunt got her CI paid by Medicaid or Medicare… not sure which. So that had me thinking I might be able to have the procedure if I qualify for SSDI in that way. My youngest in in Grad school and I have been trying to help her with that and so have continued working even thought I have to say its terribly difficult . In my profession you can be guessing and what customers and educators are saying. Reading the qualifying factors you list makes me wonder what I would do if I tried for disability and failed. It would be a shame (when so many that are probably capable of working …. don’t)
What is your opinion of qualifying in my case?
Liz
I had progressive hearing loss. My speech req. Was at 0 in both my ears but hearing aids was all i had used. I was finally approved for implants. Now that i have received them and back to a to work. Can i still apply for ssi? My job is pretty much a dead end and i want to find a new job soon but not sure if i ca get the right job because of my implants and having to use the phone.
Hi Angela:
If you can now hear better with your cochlear implants and are able and willing to work, rather than try to get SSDI, a better approach would be to contact your local office of vocational rehabilitation, or whatever name they use in your state, and ask them for help. They are there to help you find a job that fits your level of hearing (among other things).
That would be the first thing I’d try.
Cordially,
Neil
My fiance has hearing loss in both ears, although we are not sure what the extent is, he is currently unemployed due to being let go for not listening/following directions (which was a real shock to him as he had no idea anything was going on until he was let go). Are there places he can go to get the hearing tests necessary to find out what his degree of hearing loss is and how would he notify future employers on his loss and can they use that against him. He has no issue if you face him with little background noise and talk to him but 9 times out of 10 he can not hear or understand what you are saying otherwise.
Hi Allyson:
He obviously has a significant hearing loss and needs help so he can hear better. He should go to an audiologist and ask for a complete audiological evaluation. That will tell how bad his hearing is, the kind of hearing loss he has and how well he understands what he hears.
With that information, the audiologist can recommend appropriate help–typically this will involve getting and wearing hearing aids.
The office of vocational rehabilitation in your state can also help him in securing a job that fits his hearing needs and help him tell his employer the specific accommodations he needs in order to do his job properly.
But the first step is to get his hearing assessed by an audiologist.
Cordially,
Neil
Hii,
I am having a hearing loss( Moderately severe hearing losses) in my left ear and my right ear is normal.
But my hearing is proper and i never felt problem in hearing
Will i be eligible for the job in Research feild
Hi Kumar:
I worked successfully in research for a good number of years with a severe hearing loss. What you need is knowledge in the field of research you want to undertake, not necessarily hearing. To get a job you have to be the most qualified. THAT is what will get you the job, not your lack of hearing.
Cordially,
Neil
what is about the situation when bone conduction is possible but actually the bones are removed by mastoide radical surgery by extnsive chlolestotoma.
Hi Jagdish:
If the middle ear bones are removed, but the inner ear is working normally, then a bone conduction hearing aid will help restore hearing. There are several different kinds of bone conduction hearing aids. One fits in the ear canal, one uses a headband with the bone conduction transducer at one end, but the most common today is what are called BAHA aids (bone anchored hearing aids).
Either a titanium post is screwed into your skull behind your ear and when it heals up, the BAHA hearing aid is snapped to the post. This type has the chance of infection as the post sticks through the skin. A newer kind anchors the transducer to your skull much like they do for a cochlear implant. Then, the external part is held against the internal part by magnets–again like the do with cochlear implants.
There are at least two companies that make these postless BAHA hearing aids.
Cordially,
Neil
My name is Haley this is regarding in my sons SSI my son receives SSI because he was found profoundly deaf in both ears last year. He received his first cochlear implant almost ayour ago but he will be five in june. We have notified ssi about implant and have not received any response. He just recieved his second cochlear implant a month ago. His language is very limited as well. He is getting there but I’m aware it takes time. I’m scared we’re going to lose benefits because of both cochlear implants and we still are not as far in language as I expected.there is no way he can pass a hint test right now.once he does get to that point and passes the hint test or does not pass the test what are the steps after that am I gonna be re-verifying his medical condition every year or once your approved your approved I do not understand that. I’m starting to believe he is ADHD. His attention is horrible I have records from school that say the same thing it’s not only at home we’re going to be getting him checked out soon but will this help Social Security understand what we really are going through a lot here at home with me not working and being very busy with my son and with another child with down syndrome.
I have been diagnosed with 5 cranial nerve palsy, right sensoral hearing loss, syncope and just found a tumor in left ear canal a week ago. Awaiting date for MRI of brain. Would I qualify for disabilty at some point?
Hi L:
When you cannot do things to help yourself such that your quality of life is affected, then you may be eligible for disability. If your problems do not affect your ability to care for yourself and be gainfully employed, then it is unlikely you are eligible for disability.
Cordially,
Neil
hello, I have had hearing impairment since age of 4 and my hearing has gone down a lot over the years but I do wear hearing aids and physically iam able to work but iam having a hard time with jobs, cause they say its communication, which I don’t get it cause iam a very hard worker and I think my hearing has cause my aniexty go out of the door, I was wondering would I be able get disability ?
Hi Amy:
When you have a significant hearing loss and have trouble hearing your bosses and co-workers, it makes things very difficult. The solution is not to go on disability–since you can work and have the desire to work–but to learn how to successfully cope with your hearing loss. At the same time, you, or someone that can advocate for you, needs to teach your bosses and coworkers how to effectively communicate with you.
I would suggest that you see a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor (or whatever they are called in your state) and get the help you need so you can hold down a job without all the anxiety you are having.
Cordially,
Neil
I had a good job for years and I lost it due to not listening and had points and I took a buy out, now I had to sold my house and move in with my parents and iam 36 years old, my parents are so negative and I help them when they need it but I just want some answers on what I should do…. thanks
I have profound hearing loss and I have a hard time with background noise which makes it hard for me. I can work part time while on disability. Thanks for ur concerns
I’m 28 years old since years back I got hit by a car at the age of five or six went to get checked out and doctors found I was 98% deaf in right ear tho they stated I had no damage to my ear they couldn’t explain why or how I loss my hearing once reached Jr high I went for a hearing follow up n was 100% deaf in right ear then in 2011 I began hearing ringing in my ear went to an audiologist n found out I was 100% deaf in right ear n 65% deaf in left ear applied for disability i was denied due to my age and that my hearing wasn’t severe enough but ststed my hearing wouldnt get better but only worsen now here I am 2016 two weeks ago I kept hearing noises n ringing in my ear it was annoying me so my daughter n I fell asleep when I woke up I couldn’t hear anything not even my baby girl crying nor my older kids talking to I have to read there lips went to an audiologist last week they ran test and told me I only have 12% hearing left but I don’t hear anything at but ringing in my ear n noises they gave me some steroids to take by mouth to see if that would help and my hearing still the same but I talking perfect is there a chance I qualify for disability now
Hi Destini:
I’m no expert on disability law, but from what I hear from others, lack of hearing by itself is not a reason for disability. If it were, then every deaf person in the country would be on disability. You need hearing loss PLUS one or more other conditions that prevent you from working and/or looking after yourself.
Since you have lost all effective hearing, why don’t you investigate getting a cochlear implant(s). That could give you much of your hearing back (when you’re wearing your CI). Then you wouldn’t need disability. I know hundreds and hundreds of people with CIs. Most of them are gainfully employed.
I don’t know whether cochlear implants will work in your case given your medital history, but the only way to know is to go to an implant center and be evaluated for a CI. You may be surprised.
Cordially,
Neil
My husband is deaf in his right ear and has a 70db loss in his left ear after surgery. But now he gets dizzy very easily so physical labor is no longer an option. I know that he doesn’t qualify for disability. That is just fine. He would much rather work, but we are having trouble finding work for him. We went to vocational rehab but they said he is a 3rd priority and there are about 11,000 people in front of him. Are there any other types of resources that we can check out or qualify for to find work for him?
Hi Sue:
VR would be my choice, but since they are basically giving him the “bum’s rush”, you have to look elsewhere. I really don’t know other agencies to suggest. What I do suggest is that your husband evaluate what his experiences and skills and inclinations are and figure out the kinds of jobs he’d like to do and feels able to do. Then target businesses that have those kinds of jobs.
Perhaps he can offer to work for them for free for two weeks so they can see that he can do the job without any risk to them. Or he can volunteer with non-profits or other places. Sometimes these lead to full-time paid work. And another possibility, depending on what position he is seeking is to check with “temp agencies”. These can turn into full-time jobs. My wife did that when she was laid off–and in a few months she had a full-time job.
Cordially,
Neil
Thank you very much for the advice. I think checking out a few temp agencies is a good idea and we hadn’t thought of volunteer work turning into employment. We will definitely look at both options. Again THANK YOU!!!
I am trying to see if I would be eligible for disability. I have 40% hearing loss in my left ear and 68% in my right ear. I haven’t had it tested in a while but I am sure that it is just getting worse. I do have hearing aids for both ears but I do not feel as though they are working for me. The job that I was employed at required me to answer the phone and take down orders in a pharmacy and the job I had for years prior to that was waitressing. I just don’t feel as though I can do that any longer due to the severe hearing loss that I have. Just need some income coming in from somewhere.
Hi Becky:
I doubt your hearing alone would be grounds for disability from everything I’ve read. My hearing is worse than yours and it never crossed my mind to apply for disability.
What you should do is contact your department of Vocational Rehabilitation (under whatever name it is in your state) and have them help you get the accommodations you need to hold down a job that you are good at. You may need hearing aids or assistive devices or special accommodations on the job site. They can help you with all of this including paying for the hearing aids, etc. They can also help you in your job search. This is what I’d do–THEN you’d have a job and money coming in.
Cordially,
Neil
Hello sir,
I am deaf in left ear and have CI Iin right ear. Eith vr rebah help, I managed to get my degree in business management but hard time finding work in my field. I worked in minimun waged jobs for yet and was not satisgied so i went to driving school. Recently took up driving job and loved it for the independent then I got into accident which will not allow me to work as a driver for years. Sad thing is this job helped me keep up with my debt payments. So I applied for vr assist me look for a different career. My question is since i will not be qualified for ssdi is there any program that might assist me in keeping my apt or offering room while working with vr rehab? Thank you in advance.
Hi Mary:
I’d see if you can get welfare at this point. Maybe welfare and VR would work together to fund you while you are trained for something you can do with your poor hearing.
Cordially,
Neil
Who knew it takes so many different parties to get the claim? You need your doctor as well as a lawyer. It’s quite the process, but it’s absolutely needed. My cousin is deaf, so I have seen the benefits of it. I loved what you said about word recognition. I loved it because I never knew there was a test for that.
12 month Son has mild conductive hearing he hears low tones but not high tones in both ears uses hearing aids not sitting on his own , crawling or walking denied medical assistance income high assume he would qualify due to be a hearing aid recipient
Hi Lakena:
I doubt a mild hearing loss will have any effect on getting SSD. It sounds like you should try for early childhood intervention services so he is ready for school when the time comes.
Cordially,
Neil
Hello, I have severe Tinnitus. I also suffer from claustrophobia. The buzzing and ringing in my ears has caused severe depression. I cannot be around people. I have tried everything suggested by my doctor and have seen ENT specialists on numerous occassions. Nothing works. I’m finding it impossible to keep my cleaning jobs. Some days the buzzing is so loud I can barely function. Would I be eligible for some sort of help as I now have zero income.
Hi Tina:
Does your claustrophobia make your tinnitus worse or not?
What caused your tinnitus in the first place? Were you depressed before you got the tinnitus?
Are you taking any medications that might have caused your tinnitus? There are more than 550 drugs that can cause tinnitus.
What all have you tried. Medical doctors and ENTs are typically not very knowledgeable about tinnitus. You want to go to someone that successfully treats numbers of people with tinnitus. There IS help out there for tinnitus.
I don’t know if you’d be eligible for SSDI, but that is not really the answer anyway. You want to get control of your tinnitus so you can function and enjoy life again. Then you’ll be able to work and won’t need SSDI.
The latest edition of my tinnitus book gives numerous causes of tinnitus and covers many different tinnitus treatments. One or more of these various treatments is sure to help you to some degree. You would do well to study “Take Control of Your Tinnitus—Here’s How“.
Hello, I have lost hearing in my right ear due to the removal of a tumor, diagnosis was Acoustic neuroma. I experience occasional dizziness. I am also missing a portion of my skull on the right side. I have returned to work for several years now, but am starting to deal with bouts of anxiety.
Hi Chris:
You should probably see a skilled counselor to help you deal with your anxiety so it doesn’t continue to get worse. You should be able to function well with just one ear if you learn the “tricks of the trade” for single-sided deafness.
Cordially,
Neil
I have a congenital deafness on my left ear but have a normal hearing on my right. I don’t want to apply for DSS, but I want to apply for a job that uses Schedule A to hire qualified individuals with disabilities into positions non-competitively without going through the traditional hiring process. Do you think if I go to my ENT he/she will write off a disability statement stating that I am an individual with a severe physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disability?
Hi James:
If you have normal hearing in one ear, I personally think that you are not disabled such that you need preferential treatment in job hiring. Yes, you may need some accommodations on the job, but getting a position without competing with others–I don’t think so. But this is only my personal opinion. If you want to, you can always try and see what happens.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi my name is Christina I am 45 yes old and I am completely deaf in my right ear and I have 90% hearing loss in my left ear I also suffer from PTST,Depression,Anxiety,and Pmdd would I qualify for ssi or ssd?
Hi Christina:
I don’t know. You’d have to apply and see what they say.
Cordially,
Neil
Hello Dr, I have severe Meniere’s disease and I am wondering will hearing aids help me hear better even though I have severe Meniere’s with extremely bad tinnitus. Thank you so much sir for your reply
Hi Douglas:
Typically, hearing aids will help you hear better if you have Meniere’s disease. And wearing hearing aids may make your tinnitus less loud too. So that can be a blessing. I know numbers of people with Meniere’s that wear hearing aids.
Incidentally, regarding your Meniere’s–why not just get rid of it? I wrote a comprehensive article on the fundamental cause of Meniere’s disease and how to get rid of it. You can read this article at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/atlas-adjustments-alleviate-menieres-disease/
Cordially,
Neil
My daughter is 12 and has hearing loss both ears 48 to 49 % both ears since birth and effects her speech. Does she qualify for SSI or disability?
Hi Erica:
I can’t see that a mild/moderate hearing loss is in any way qualified for SSD. What you need to do is have her put under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan at school. That is what she really needs.
Cordially,
Neil
Hello Doctor Neil
I hope all is well, I am actually writing to you in regards to a loved one who has severe hearing loss in both ears. She is an infant and can’t hear up to 130decibels, she has no reaction and was also born prematurely and is now 8 months. I was wondering what are the best options for her. Unfortunately another big issue is that she is in another foreign country but I would like to let them know what would be the best option for them out there or even a possibility for any other medical care if they can come here with a visa or anything. Most importantly would be knowing if she will need a cochlear implant, please help us we have many questions and in dire need of help. Thank you for your time.
Hi Janina:
If she is 8 months old now and can’t hear above 130 dB (she’s deaf), the only way for her to hear is getting a cochlear implant (or even better, one for each ear). It is not too late for this. Numbers of children in her situation get CIs before their first birthday, and then they develop normally, just like other hearing children do.
Certainly she needs to get CIs before her second birthday so her brain will develop the auditory circuits to process sound. If she waits too long, this doesn’t happen, or doesn’t work well.
She doesn’t need to come to the USA for CIs, she can be implanted in a number of other countries. There are at least 5, and maybe 6 different CI companies in the world. So she could go to the nearest/cheapest one.
Cordially,
Neil
Dr. Neil,
I qualify for CI’s in both ears and am waiting on insurance approval for the first one. I don’t know the specific numbers other than I’m at 10% word recognition in my bad ear with a hearing aid in. In my good ear, I think it’s 40% aided and next to nothing without.
Anyway, I’m self employed and need to talk on the phone to close sales. I do have clients and income currently, but have been loosing out on new business as clients turnover because I can’t hear on the telephone.
Do I need to wait until my income falls below a certain level to apply for benefits or can I do it once I get my CI or,the approval for it?
Thanks!
Hi Leslie:
I’m no expert on this subject–but benefits are based on your ability to take care of yourself or not and your ability to be gainfully employed.
If you can’t hear on the phone, why don’t you use captioned phones? (I know they are not perfect by any means, but they certainly give you the gist of what the person says unless they have a thick accent or mutter and mumble so no one can understand them–not ever the captioner.) And they are free to qualified people like you are.
I’ve used captioned phones for a number of years now as well as having external amplifiers hooked to my phones to really boost the volume more than even the amplified captioned phone produces.
Cordially,
Neil
I am profoundly dead in noth ear since i was a baby. I applied for ssi and was asked why I don’t have a cochlear implant. Can not getting a implant prevent me from getting ssi
Hi Alex:
I don’t really think so. How old are you now? Did you wear hearing aids all this time, or did you sign? or what? Not hearing in itself is not necessarily a reason to get SSI. You’d probably need another disability that keeps you from taking care of yourself or working. There are many deaf people that hold down reasonably good jobs. Is there a reason you can’t do the same?
Cordially,
Neil
Hello my name is Carla I have a hearing test and my results are db 1000 is 25, 30 db at 2000, 50 db at 3000, 65 db at 4000 the average loss is 43 in left ear.
the right ear shows db at1000 is 40 45 db at 2000 60 db at 3000 60 db at 4000 the average is 51
I have tinnitus which is ringing in my ears. I was turn down for hearing loss but has to wear earing aids all day because I have trouble hearing can I appeal this decision
Hi Carla:
Your hearing isn’t anywhere’s near bad enough to qualify for SSI. Your hearing loss would have to be much , much worse in order to qualify.
Needing to wear hearing aids isn’t enough reason to qualify, nor is not understanding everything.
You need to learn effective hearing loss coping skills so you can successfully live with your hearing loss.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi my name is Priscilla
I have severe profound hearing on on both ears I have been hard of hearing sense I was a child I was awarded ssdi last year for having severe profound hearing I am doing some research on getting cochlear inplants do I qualify as a candidate for cochlear implant also if I was to be approved for that type of implant would ssdi stop my benifits?
Hi Priscilla:
A cochlear implant does not give you your hearing back. In other words you are just as deaf as you were before when you don’t have it on–such as at night when you are sleeping. Therefore, I assume that you’d still qualify for SSDI, just like you did before. But definitely don’t quote me on that because I don’t know what the SSDI people might think.
Having said that, I know hundreds and hundreds of people with cochlear implants that work at their regular jobs and don’t have/need SSDI.
Cordially,
Neil
I had Gamma Knife back in 2010 for an Acoustic Neuroma. I was continually followed and in 2014 my MRI came back that the tumor had doubled in size so in Jan 2015 I had brain surgery to remove the tumor… due to the surgery I lost 100% of my hearing in my left ear, I am still going through Vistubular Therapy for my messed up vision, the constant tenuous, my balance is always compromised, dizzy, tiredness and it goes on. I was then explained to that because of the hearing loss I was eligible for the BAHA implant. It’s the Cochular BAHA 5. This has not improved my hearing as in turn it’s worse… when wearing it and it activated the noises are so loud into my right ear that it literally hurts my brain… it feels as a knife was stabbing me….. I am in a Pahrmacy as it was the only oppertunity for employment… I fake so much and just put on a smile but nobody understands my pain and suffering. Which brings me to this site.. I was looking at the SSDI website and it states I was eligable to receive it for 1 year and the to be evaluated after that year after year… I had applied for disability and as everyone knows I was denied twice… I then quit as I felt it was going no where as no one believed me.. I took the only job offered after the 1000 of applications I put in… so I chose to work at a very low paying job which when I was receiving cash benefits I actually received more then now. I need sone clarification as to what to do… since I tried to file for disability and being denied twice I was not made aware that because of the Cochular and the 100% hearing loss because of the surgery I could receive the SSDI. Unless I go through all i and many have u will not understand what is on the inside. All u see is a smile and the best I can do to hear what u are saying… or not having the ability to locate a sound as that was also lost.. you physically have to find the person to locate them as u can not due to the hearing loss. Please I need help with this…. I am a struggling single mom of 4 kids and I do my best each day for them… but crying myself to slee, worrying about money and just to keep the kids happy is what I go through each day… please once again I need help… Tha k you Carol
Hi Carol:
I feel for you. It is not easy when you can’t hear well and you have balance problems at the same time. Just keeping yourself balanced is very tiring and few realize just how exhausting in can be.
You have been turned down twice now for SSDI. I’m assuming you did the paperwork yourself. Maybe its now time to have a lawyer do it for you. They know the specific words to use to help you be successful.
One caveat is be sure the lawyer you choose is experienced in SSDI matters and has a good track record of successfully helping his clients get SSDI or you may end up spending money you don’t have and not get anywhere.
Cordially,
Neil
My son (9 months old) is deaf. He just had bilateral cochlear implants activated this week. Some people tell me he would qualify and some tell me he wouldn’t. What is your experience with this?
Hi Jessica:
I don’t have any experience with this. But my first reaction is why does he need disability? ALL babies are “disabled” in the fact that they cannot look after themselves. That’s the parents job. That’s not the government’s job. So looking after a baby that is hard of hearing or deaf or has CIs isn’t any different. That’s how I see it. (Incidentally, my mother raised me without disability, and I raised my daughter without disability–and both of us were born with severe hearing losses. It’s just a part of being a parent.)
Cordially,
Neil
I am 57 years old. I had an accident 5-6 years ago in which I irreparably damaged my right cochlea. I am totally deaf deaf on my right side. As a middle school counselor it seems to be getting more and more difficult to due my job (I’m missing parts of conversations or asking to repeat more often). Is this due to my left side getting worse? Also, Am I considered legally deaf being SSD?
Hi Kevin:
As you age, you usually lose more and more high-frequency hearing. And since the high-frequencies carry most of the intelligibility of speech, as you lose these high-frequency sounds, it becomes harder and harder to understand speech–especially if you are not real close, or if there is background sound. It makes it even worse if you are deaf in the other ear.
The is no legal definition of deafness. You can be legally blind, but not legally deaf (and you don’t want to be illegally deaf LOL.)
You need to get and wear a hearing aid in your better ear. More specifically, you might want to consider getting a Bi-CROS hearing aid so you can also hear from your deaf side. This is the solution, not trying to get SSD which I doubt you are eligible for.
Cordially,
Neil
I have cochlear implants in both ears but I can not talk on the phone because I can not hear every word someone is saying. Also it is hard working with a lot of people because it is too much noise and I miss out on everything including meetings. Do I qualify for SSI?
Hi Cynthia:
I’m no expert on this subject, but from what I have heard, you typically need more than just a hearing loss in order to quality for SSDI. With proper accommodations, you should be able to lead a successful and fulfilling life in spite of your hearing loss.
If you can’t hear well on the phone–neither can I–use captioned phones like I do. There are ways around most hearing problems as long as both you and the other party are willing to do what it takes to make the communication successful.
Cordially,
Neil
My 10 year old daughter is 100% deaf in her left ear and has a hearing aid in her right ear. She is in speech therapy at school and struggles academically and socially. She was also diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome. I am her adoptive mother. Would she qualify for any benefits?
Hi Tracy:
I really don’t know. I’m not an expert on this subject. You need to talk to someone at Social Security that could guide you.
Cordially,
Neil
I have a moderate to severe hearing loss, had it since birth, while i can still work, its hard to find a job, i would go 2 years without a job but had countless interviews, i often had to lie about my disability to get a job because in my experience, as soon as i acknowledge it, i get dirty looks from interviewers and not get the job that i have years of experience in. I only have a job now because my employer liked my paperwork and pretty much made up her mind to hire me before talking to me and its part time. In order to raise my two kids (one mild to moderate hearing loss and the other mild to moderate in one ear and moderate to severe in the other) i cant seem to get a full time job, i was denied ssi because i have work history but had it from 3 to 18 years old
Hi Tia:
You don’t really need SSI. What you need is someone to hire you fulltime for the talents you have. Since you have problems finding a good job because of your hearing loss, I’d suggest you work with the vocational rehabilitation services in your state to help you get a job in spite of your hearing loss.
Cordially,
Neil
My wife is deaf. She has around 90% loss in one ear and 100% in the other. She tried a cochlearimplant but it didn’t work and Dr recommended she remove it, so she did. She had a hard time getting and keeping work because of this. What should she qualify for?
Hi Robert:
Just because you can’t hear doesn’t mean you need to go on SSD. Lots of deaf people work with certain accommodation. What your wife needs to do is contact the office of vocational rehabilitation in your state and see what help they can offer her. If they can’t help, then it never hurts to apply for SSDI, but hearing loss alone is not necessarily enough. Typically, you have to have other accompanying factors.
Cordially,
Neil
OVR is horrible, they don’t work well with people. I know people who have had to wait weeks, months before getting any assistance…depends on the state you’re in also. PA is the worst!
I have 100% loss of hearing in my right ear and my left ear still has good hearing. I have damage to my vestibular system and 79% of my balance system was wiped out. I struggle with balance, jumpy vision, and dizziness. I am 61 with high school education and no previous work experience other than cleaning person and warehouse. Would this make me eligible for SSDI.
Hi Kathy:
I’m not an expert in this area, but if you can still work, then you are probably not likely eligible for SSDI. If you can no longer work because of your balance problems, then you might be eligible. You can always apply and see.
If you can still work, but can’t find a job because of your balance problems, I’d suggest you contact the office of vocational rehabilitation in your state for help. They can help you find a job that works for you–and provide training too if you need training to do a different job.
Cordially,
Neil
my son failed his hearing test when he was born. he is now 3 mths old and i have had numerous exams & testing done on his left ear. he also has a cyst located right above his same ear. he has been finally diagnosed with permanent hearing loss in the affected ear. he been to audiologist & ENT with written results. what what his chances be in applying for SSD
Hi Vanessa:
I rather doubt that he would be eligible for SSD since he has normal hearing in his other ear. Feel free to apply if you want to. The worst that will happen is that they will turn you down.
Cordially,
Neil
I have 92 db in my left, over 100db in my right as per multiple tests and my speech recognition is below 40%. I’ve tried multiple hearing aids (none worked) and had to lose a lot of time from work going back and forth for testing, etc. I even went to Penn Medicine top ENT and I am a cochlear implant candidate. Insurance doesn’t cover it, my job requires heavy phone work and I can’t hear. Accommodations is amplification – but if I hear muffle, that just amplifies – yeah, muffle! 3 doctors said I’m profound-deaf. I almost got hit buy a car 2 times and was dragged out of my apartment during a carbon monoxide alarm I DID NOT HEAR! They’ve taken work away from me, diminished my workload and upon trying to apply for work, one company hung up on me when I asked how much phone work is required (through an interp. – other person helping me with the phone)
Hi Christine:
I’m surprised that your insurance doesn’t cover cochlear implants. Have you tried asking the cochlear implant center itself to submit the paperwork to your insurance company? If not, you should do so because very seldom are cochlear implants turned down when submitted by the cochlear implant company itself. They know the proper words to say to get the implant approved.
I think that’s the first thing you should try. The second thing I would do is go to the office of vocational rehabilitation in your state under whatever name they call it and ask for their help. They can provide you with the technology you need in order to do your job, or help you find a job that you can do.
I would try both of these things before applying to get Social Security Disability, and only apply for SSD if neither of the two above suggestions pan out.
Cordially,
Neil
I am deaf in left ear and can only hear in right ear very little..tried ampflied hearing aides and it no use cannot reqnize words. About 10 % of the time..the last job let me go due to not catching on ans reason i could not understand what was being said. They let me go..my ear Doctor said i nerve damage from diabetes and cohlar implants is the only thing that may help and ot not 100%..d0 qualfif for diasbility.
Hi Tammy:
What is your word recognition score as shown on your audiogram? Why don’t you go to a CI center and be evaluated for a cochlear implant. You may be surprised just how well they work.
You should also check with your office of vocational rehabilitation to see if they can help you get a job and get the accommodations you need.
Disability is a last resort, and I don’t think you are there yet.
Cordially,
Neil
My son is 17 now deaf in right ear and will go through chlolestoma surgery and possible mastroid unknown next I would like to know if he could be protected Ada if he becomes a pharmacist
Hi Carla:
Are you meaning you son has the cholesteatoma in his left ear so he may be left almost deaf in that ear too?
In any case, the ADA applies to any person who has a disability. In relation to hearing loss, he should have equal access as compared to hearing people. Thus if he needs certain accommodations to do his job as a pharmacist, his employer should provide them as long as it doesn’t cuse a hardship to the employer’s business. In other words, any ADA accommodations cannot make a business go broke, etc.
Cordially,
Neil
My daughter has one CI and one hearing aid. She also has Aspergers and was denied SSI saying these disabilities limit her employability but do not preclude her from finding work. (She is 18). Her speech recognition unaided is 40% in her better ear. 1) do they look at aided or unaided scores and 2) how might Asperger Syndrome be addressed if we decide to appeal? She may be able to work if we were t9 find the perfect position where she did not have to hear or be around people but that in itself is quite limiting. Thank you.
Hi Karla:
I’m not sure, but I think they look at aided scores.
Since she CAN work, why don’t you contact your state’s office of vocational rehabilitation (under whatever name they use in your state) and have them help her find a job. Being productively engaged at work is much better than sitting at home on SSD.
Cordially,
Neil
Thank you. I agree completely. She is college bound and I believe that navigating life as an adult in college will help build her social skills and confidence as she prepares her professional skills. I think she would benefit temporarily from SSI as she continues to develop. Thanks again.
Hi, I haven’t worked in 12 years and just applied for disability. I have profound hearing loss in both ears. I have very little word recognition. My main form of communication is lip reading. What do you think my chances are for qualification.
Hi Laura:
Hearing loss alone is not normally a justification for disability. You can try but don’t be surprised if you are turned down.
Why aren’t you investigating getting cochlear implants? That could give you much of your hearing and word recognition back (when you are wearing the CI).
Cordially,
Neil
If I am on social security right now at the age of 65, can I get help with purchasing a new set of hearing aids? The cost is about $3K and I have a 95db loss.
Thanks and if I can…how do I go about it?
Hi Mark:
If you were working and need hearing aids in order to do you job, you probably could get help from the office of vocational rehabilitation in your state. But if you are not working, I’m not aware that Medicare helps with the cost of hearing aids.
Sometimes some service clubs such as the Lions and Sertoma may help you out if you can prove you can’t afford them on your limited income. However, you are typically on your own.
One place you can save a lot of money is by buying your hearing aids at CostCo. They have brand name hearing aids at prices much below what others sell the same aids for–so that is a good place to start.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi, I gave chronic mastoiditis. I’ve had over 30 surgeries, bone reconstruction, tubes inside one ear, all since the age of 7. I am now 24 and would like to know if I qualify for SSD. My condition is lifetime and though I haven’t had any surgeries in the last 7 years, I have come close. I get constant infections that triggers my condition. My hearing is considered profound in both ears. Would I qualify?
Hi Marc:
Hearing loss alone typically does not qualify you for SSD. You’d also need other conditions that impact your ability to take care of yourself, and/or preclude you from gainful employment.
Hearing loss by itself doesn’t stop you from looking after yourself, and unless the bouts of mastoiditis prevent you from gainful employment, I doubt you’d qualify. But I’m not an expert on this. You can always apply. The worst that will happen is that you are turned down.
Cordially,
Neil