When you cannot work because of hearing loss, you may have the right to apply for benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which provides monthly financial payments to help you with living expenses. The SSA’s disability benefits programs include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program designed for low-income individuals with limited work history.
However, the SSA imposes strict standards for deeming a person disabled due to hearing loss. You need experienced legal counsel to give yourself the best chance at having your benefits application approved. Contact Disability Advocates Group today for an initial case review to learn more about pursuing SSI benefits for hearing loss.
Understanding Disabling Hearing Loss
Although not all cases of hearing loss will qualify an individual for SSI, a severe degree of hearing loss may qualify as a disability under Social Security regulations. A person may have disabling hearing loss without a cochlear implant if audiometric testing yields results of either:
- An average air conduction hearing threshold of 90 decibels or more and an average bone conduction hearing threshold of 60 decibels or more in the better ear
- A word recognition score of 40 percent or less in the better ear using a standard list of phonetically balanced one-syllable words
A person can qualify for SSI benefits up to a year after receiving a cochlear implant. If they have a word recognition score of 60 percent or less after more than a year following implantation, they may continue to receive benefits for disabling hearing loss.
Evaluating Hearing Loss for SSI Benefits
The SSA requires individuals seeking SSI benefits based on disabling hearing loss to undergo two types of hearing evaluation:
- Otologic Exam – An otologic exam, which is performed by a physician or audiologist, involves a review of your medical history, a description of how your hearing loss affects you, and a visual examination of your ears, ear canal, tympanic membranes, and middle ear.
- Audiometric Testing – Audiometric testing, which must occur within two months of the otologic exam, includes pure tone air conduction and bone conduction testing, speech reception testing, and word recognition testing conducted under the supervision of an audiologist or ear, nose, and throat specialist. Applicants cannot wear hearing aids during the test. Testing must occur in a sound-treated booth or room per the current standards published by the American National Standards Institute. Audiometric testing must occur separately for each ear.
Eligibility Requirements for SSI
A person with hearing loss must meet additional criteria to qualify for SSI benefits. First, an applicant’s disabling hearing loss must prevent them from working in their current job or performing other types of work that fall within the scope of their education, training, or experience. If a person’s hearing loss does not prevent them from performing their job, the SSA will deny their benefits application.
Furthermore, SSI applicants must meet the financial requirements for benefits. SSI recipients must earn little or no income – the SSA sets the maximum monthly income an applicant may earn while still qualifying for SSI (based on household size), with this limit changing annually to reflect inflation. Applicants must also have few assets, excluding their primary residence, vehicle, household goods, and personal belongings.
SSI Application Process
You can apply for SSI benefits online or by calling the SSA to schedule an appointment with a representative at your local Social Security office. After completing and filing the SSI application form, you must attend an in-person or phone interview.
The review of your SSI application involves two parts. First, the SSA will review your non-medical eligibility, including whether you fall under the asset and income thresholds. The second part of the review occurs at a state Disability Determination Services office, which will review your medical evidence to determine whether you have a disability.
What Happens if the Social Security Administration Denies Your SSI Application?
Many people have initial SSI benefits applications denied by the SSA. Common reasons for denials include failing to submit sufficient documentation of financial eligibility, medical evidence of disability, or proof that the disability prevents the applicant from working. However, the SSA offers an appeals process for applicants whose SSI applications are denied on initial review. If the SSA denies your application, you can request reconsideration, which allows you to submit additional documentation and evidence.
If the SSA upholds the denial of your application upon reconsideration, you can request a hearing to present evidence and arguments regarding why the SSA erroneously denied your application. You can further appeal an adverse decision by the administrative law judge to the SSA’s Appeals Council, and from there to the federal courts.
How Our Firm Can Help You Seek SSI Benefits
If you’re no longer able to work due to hearing loss, turning to experienced and knowledgeable legal help can improve your likelihood of securing the SSI benefits you need. Let the legal team at Disability Advocates Group help you obtain the financial resources you need by:
- Evaluating your eligibility for Social Security disability and SSI benefits, including the asset and income limits
- Organizing the medical testing needed to document your hearing loss
- Gathering additional medical and vocational records to support your disability claim
- Helping you collect records or documents needed for your SSI application
- Assisting you with completing and filing your application
- Reviewing denial notices and helping you prepare for reconsideration of your application
- Pursuing further appeals of the denial of your application
Contact Disability Advocates Group Today to Discuss Your Options for SSI After Suffering Hearing Loss
When you’ve suffered severe hearing loss that prevents you from working, you may have the right to apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits. Contact Disability Advocates Group today for an initial consultation with an experienced Social Security disability lawyer to discuss your eligibility for SSI and learn more about the application process.
