How to Qualify for Disability for a Hearing Problem

Many people in the U.S. suffer from hearing loss that qualifies as a disability. The most common laws relating to whether hearing loss is considered a disability is the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as ADA. The law is designed to ensure that people with hearing loss receive the same treatment as those without hearing loss or other disabilities. Many individuals are also interested in receiving military disability benefits or worker's compensation benefits due to their hearing loss, but these laws vary from state to state and can be extremely complicated.

Things You'll Need

• Disability lawyer
• Physician's statement of disability

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Instructions

• 1

  Read the laws in your state on disability and hearing loss. The ADA regards hearing loss as occurring if the following conditions are met: it substantially limits life activity, it limited a life action in the past or you are regarded as if your impairment was substantially limiting to your life in the present by others.

• 2

  Apply for disability benefits through your local Social Security office. Have your hearing tested and documented by a physician. You will need this information for your application and any disability hearings that you may attend in the future. Have him or her write a letter stating the results of your examination and take a copy of the letter with you for your personal files. If Social Security accepts your application you will be granted disability benefits. If not, you can appeal the decision through the Social Security office. If the appeal is denied you may have your appeal heard by an administrative law judge.

• 3

  Hire an attorney who specializes in the area of disability law. The administrative law hearings are extremely complicated and require a professional to navigate through them. Many attorneys will waive their fees until you are paid money for your disability. Bring the documentation from your physician to your meeting with your attorney. Ask your attorney about state laws that may affect your disability claim.

• 4

  Attend all hearings relating to disability compensation and rights in front of an administrative law judge. There may be multiple hearings but this is the place where you would be awarded rights such as transportation, money, education, communication and more. Wait for the outcome to be announced. Talk with your lawyer and appeal the outcome if it is not what you wanted.