Collecting Hearing Loss Disability Benefits Is A Reality
Our disability insurance attorneys know that hearing impairment is far more than a loss of the ability to hear. We have an expansive understanding of the restrictions and limitations that a person suffering with hearing impairment must live with on a daily basis. If you need assistance gaining the disability benefits you deserve for your hearing impairment, we can help by filling out your initial application for long-term disability benefits in addition to appealing or filing a lawsuit of your denied disability claim. Disability carriers will often argue that a person should still be able to work even though they have loss of hearing or a reduced ability to hear. We have seen arguments where the insurance company tells a person to get better hearing aid devices. We have also seen arguments stating that the claimant can still use a computer and does not need to hear anybody in order to do their job. Hearing loss does not automatically qualify someone for disability benefits; therefore a claimant must have guidance in order to properly present their claim to the disability insurance company. Our disability lawyers will work closely with you and your treating physicians. We know what the disability carriers must see in order to approve a claim or reverse a disability denial. Hearing loss is often associated with balance disorders, which provide further complications preventing a person from being able to work. There are many objective test available which can prove that a claimant has hearing loss.
What are the Different Hearing Impairment Classifications?
There are different types and varying degrees of hearing loss. Hearing loss is classified according to which part of the auditory system is affected. Contact our firm if you have any questions regarding your ability to gain disability benefits if you are experiencing serious hearing impairment.
Generally, hearing loss can be categorized into three different types:
- Conductive hearing loss is the result of disorders in either the outer or middle ear, which may prevent sound from getting to the inner ear.
- Sensorineural hearing loss is a hearing impairment that occurs when the inner ear nerves are unable to properly transmit signals to the brain or become severely damaged.
- When individuals have both conductive and sensorineural hearing impairment, it is classified as mixed hearing loss.
Ménière’s Disease and Tinnitus as Disability Conditions
The most common types of disabling hearing impairments include Ménière’s disease and tinnitus. Ménière’s disease is a disorder in which the inner ear causes abnormal sensory perceptions. You may be experiencing this type of hearing loss if you have such symptoms as:
- Vertigo, or a sensation of a spinning
- Hearing loss usually in one ear
- Fullness or pressure in the same ear
- Ringing in the same ear, called tinnitus
You can read our section on Ménière’s disease to learn more about this disabling condition.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the head when no outside sound is present. It is typically referred to as “ringing in the ears.” Tinnitus can be a symptom of a condition that causes hearing impairment, or it can exist without any hearing loss. We have helped numerous clients that have been disabled as a result of tinnitus. Most tinnitus claimants also complain of headaches as well.
Our Experience with Hearing Impairment Disability Claims
We want to help you gain hearing impairment disability benefits if you need to file, or have been denied by your disability insurance company. Our firm has resolved many cases that can attest to our abilities in providing beneficial results for our clients. We encourage you to read our resolved cases and client testimonial to learn more about our qualifications and experience. Our disability insurance lawyers can help guide you through this often confusing and difficult process. For a free consultation, please fill out our online contact form or call us today. We have helped individuals seek the benefits they deserve since 1979. No matter where you live, we can assist you an application, ERISA appeal, or the filing of a lawsuit.
Resources
There are many valuable sources of hearing impairment information available on the internet such as American Speech Language Hearing Association – The professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 140,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
We keep this site frequently updated with new information about changes and advances in hearing impairment disability laws as well as case resolutions you may find relevant. Check back often to stay informed.