Social Security Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss

Can you receive Social Security Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss?

At Sharon Christie Law, a Baltimore Social Security Disability Law Firm, we are often asked can I receive Social Security Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss? In this video, Sharon Christie examines this question and helps provide answers to whether or not you can receive disability benefits for hearing loss.

Official Transcript: Can I receive Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss?

Hi, I’m Sharon Christie your nurse attorney for social security disability benefits. Today let’s talk about hearing loss as a basis for a disability case. Now the cases that I usually review that involve hearing loss involve some sort of moderate to severe hearing loss. Usually in one ear and not both, and if that’s the case while that may eliminate a certain number of jobs it won’t eliminate all jobs necessarily.

The cases that I see where hearing loss by itself would result in a favorable decision are cases where there is complete hearing loss in both ears. However, if hearing loss is one part of the list of problems that you have it will certainly be considered. So, if you have other health problems and in addition to that there’s hearing loss when social security evaluates your case, they will look at the effects of all of those conditions put together. So, the hearing loss component may eliminate a certain type of jobs and number of jobs. The other health components then may go on to eliminate all employment.

When you put it all together and that’s what social security is looking at. Do your health problems create limitations that are so severe there’s no work at all that you’re able to do and will that be the case that those hearing problems prevent you from working for at least 12 consecutive months? So, hearing loss may be an important component of your case. In a few cases it may be the single reason that you’re approved for disability, but remember it will be considered as part of your entire case.

It’s really confirmation of what any lawyer who’s done this work for a while including myself has known for a long time. The approval rates for cases are dropping but I even I was a little shocked when I saw the statistics. So 10 years ago of all the cases that went to a hearing before a judge, 66 percent were approved. In 2017 of all the cases that went before a judge for a hearing only 43 percent were approved. That’s a 20 point drop which is huge and it means that it is much harder now to get your case approved for disability then it has been in the past. And then I read another statistic from the office of the Inspector General showed that people who were represented at their hearing by a lawyer won three times as many cases as the people who

were not represented.

It is imperative for you that you have the best chance possible to win your case and the best way for you to do it is to get a lawyer who is experienced in Social Security disability work who can prepare the case properly, who can get all the evidence that you need for the case, and who can prepare you properly to testify before

the judge. So don’t hurt yourself go get a lawyer

to help you with your case.

The Path to Social Security Disability Benefits with Sharon Christie Law

Step 1: Understanding Social Security’s Definition of Disabled

The definition of disabled, according to Social Security, is that you have severe limitations from your health problems that keep you from doing any kind of work for at least 12 consecutive months. This is the first thing we look at when evaluating your case. Your diagnosis is just the starting point. To get disability benefits for you, we must prove that your disabling condition causes severe limitations in your day to day activities.

Step 2: Medical Records in Your Disability Case

You must have medical evidence to prove your disability case. The most important evidence is your medical records that show your diagnosis, your symptoms, and your response to treatment.

Step 3: Don’t go it alone: How Sharon Christie Law Can Help You

At Sharon Christie Law, a Social Security Disability Law Firm, we recognize that no one ever plans to get so sick that they have to stop working. When you need to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits we recognize that you will be anxious about the process and whether you can qualify for disability benefits. Our goal at Sharon Christie Law is to help you win your case and give you the financial stability you need! Why work with us?

We do it all for you: At Sharon Christie Law we handle all aspects of the case for you, from preparing and filing your application through the hearing with a judge. We are with you every step of the way. When working with us, you focus on feeling better, and we focus on winning your case.

We return your phone calls: We understand that you have many questions regarding Social Security Disability Benefits. We never want you to wonder what is happening with your case. We are here to answer your questions. All phone calls and emails are returned within 24 hours. That is our promise to you.

We believe in client education: The Social Security Disability process is confusing. We think it is important that you understand each step in the process. So, we created a section on our website that is accessible only to clients. This client’s only section tells you everything you need to know about the disability process.

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