Can I Claim Disability Benefits For Hearing Loss In Houston, TX?

Most people think that losing your hearing part of “getting older.” But it can happen to anyone at any age for different reasons. Age-related hearing loss comes from the gradual loss of hair cells in the inner-ear.

While some individuals are born deaf, hearing loss happens with certain medical conditions, such as Meniere’s disease, an inner-ear disorder. Musician Huey Lewis suddenly found himself unable to hear onstage in 2018, and was diagnosed with possible Meniere’s disease. As a result of his inability to hear during concerts, Huey Lewis and The News canceled their tour schedule.

Can I Claim Disability Benefits For Hearing Loss In Houston, TX?

 

Causes Of Hearing Loss

Meniere’s Disease is just one of a number of possible causes for hearing loss. Other causes include:

  • On-the-job exposure to loud noises, or other exposures to sudden loud noises (power tools, etc.)
  • Tinnitus, ringing in the ears after loud noises (especially loud concerts)
  • Loud music with earphones or earbuds
  • Injuries, such as severe head trauma
  • Childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps, meningitis and chickenpox
  • Abrupt pressure changes from activities like flying or diving
  • Certain medications, such as antibiotics and cancer drugs
  • Chronic disease, such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and some autoimmune diseases
  • Growths and/or tumor in the ear system
  • Ear wax buildup

If hearing loss prevents you from full-time work, or you are disabled and can no longer work, it may be time to apply for disability.

Qualifying For Disability With Hearing Loss

Like any other type of disability, you will have to meet the qualifications for disability with hearing loss. In this case, you’ll have to verify your hearing loss to medically qualify for benefits.

Although it’s covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you’ll still have to prove that your condition is serious enough that reasonable accommodations by your employer are not enough to enable you to continue working in any job that you might be qualified for. You’ll need to document the essential functions of your job, previous jobs, and how hearing loss prevents you from performing your job even with reasonable accommodations available.

SSA will also require you to have hearing testing using the “Blue Book” disability listing, conducted by an otolaryngologist or an audiologist certified by The American Board of Audiology or The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The testing must be done without any hearing appliances, such as hearing aids.

Inform your doctor that you will be applying for disability benefits for hearing loss, and request that he or she review the Blue Book requirements beforehand so your tests are conducted according to SSA’s rules.

First the doctor must conduct a physical exam of your ears, including the internal and external ear, middle ear and the tympanic membranes.

Secondary testing includes:

  • Pure tone and bone conduction audiometry—an average hearing threshold of 60 to 90 decibels or greater in the better ear, dependent upon the testing method, or
  • Word recognition test—a score of 40% or lower in the better ear

If you have hearing loss with a cochlear implant, you will automatically qualify medically for disability benefits for hearing loss at least one year after surgery. If your word recognition score is still 60% or below on a “hearing in noise” test more than one year after the surgery, your benefits will be extended until your hearing improves, if it does.

Translations: Communicating With SSA

If you need an interpreter to properly communicate with SSA, ask for one. SSA will provide a free sign language interpreter for anyone who needs help communicating with them. An interpreter will ensure that the applicant will have an accurate and complete translation of all related communications between them and SSA. Sign language interpreters are bound by confidentiality rules, and cannot repeat what they translated. This offers the same privacy as a person who can hear. A hearing-impaired person won’t have to rely on family members, or be embarrassed trying to communicate with a case worker because they can’t hear or understand the questions.

Let Herren Law Help With Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss

You may be able to collect disability after severe hearing loss, but you won’t know unless you apply. Call The Herren Law Firm today at 713-682-8194 (or use our online contact form) to schedule your free consultation. There’s no obligation, and we’ll take your case on a contingency fee basis, with no up-front charges.

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