Hearing loss can vary from a mild case to a more severe one that impacts your lifestyle. As such, it can often be difficult to determine if hearing loss is classed as a disability or not. Under most circumstances, using a hearing aid usually means that your hearing loss is severe enough that you need an assistive tool to help you hear correctly and remain independent. As such, it usually means that your hearing loss is classed as a disability.

But at what level does hearing loss become a disability, and is it something that you can measure yourself? After all, using a hearing aid doesn’t always mean that your hearing loss is severe.

How Much Hearing Loss Qualifies as A Disability?

The big question is if your level of hearing loss counts as a disability. In most cases, it’s determined by if your hearing loss has a negative impact on your quality of life. However, there are certain tests and thresholds that are used to measure this correctly. Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different response.

From a social security standpoint, hearing loss is typically measured by your average hearing rate. If this is below 90dB when measured by air conduction, then you’ll be eligible for most disability benefits. In addition, you’ll also need to be able to hear below 60dB when measured with bone conduction. A word recognition test may also be used at times to see if you qualify for disability benefits. If you can’t repeat 40% of the words back, then your level of hearing loss will likely be considered a disability.

If you meet any of these thresholds, then you may be eligible to receive disability benefits as your level of hearing loss is at a point where it has a negative impact on your life. These classifications can vary depending on who you ask and where you live, so it’s a good idea to speak with an audiologist to help you identify your level of hearing loss and if it’s considered a disability.

For example, the World Health Organization would classify a disability as an impairment, an activity limitation or something that restricts your participation. In other words, the WHO will consider your hearing loss to be a disability if it restricts your ability to participate in society, or if your movements are hindered by your hearing loss. Hearing impairments will fall into many different categories, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a trained audiologist to determine what level of hearing loss you’re experiencing and if it’s considered a disability or not.

If you’re unsure whether your level of hearing loss counts as a disability or not, then it’s worth speaking to an audiologist in order to get properly tested to see how much hearing loss you actually have. This will allow you to claim for certain disability benefits that require you to have a disability in writing.

Wearing a Hearing Aid

The act of wearing a hearing aid isn’t classed as a disability. While it’s closely linked to your hearing loss, wearing a hearing aid doesn’t automatically qualify you as having a disability and it doesn’t make you eligible for disability benefits.

This is because some people choose to wear hearing aids even if they have low-level hearing loss that doesn’t count as a disability. They could wear these hearing aids because it’s recommended by their audiologist, or because it helps them with daily activities. Whatever the case is, wearing a hearing aid doesn’t mean that you’ve passed the threshold of having a disability. However, if your hearing has been tested by an audiologist and it is at the level which is considered a disability, then you will be eligible for any disability benefits.

Regardless of the type of hearing aid you wear, be it an in the ear (ITE), behind the ear (BTE) or in the canal (ITC), as long as your level of hearing is within the threshold of it being considered a disability, you will be classed as having a disability.

Contact Texas Professional Hearing Center

If you’re unsure whether your level of hearing loss counts as a disability, then get in touch with Texas Professional Hearing Center today at (281) 420 8033 for more information. Speak with an audiologist today who can examine your hearing and let you know if your level of hearing counts as a disability or not. You’ll also receive help on picking a pair of hearing aids to assist with your hearing.

Tags: disability, information