If an individual in Kentucky has experienced hearing loss, they may be able to apply for Social Security disability benefits. An examiner will need to determine if the applicant has sufficiently low hearing sensitivity and speech discrimination scores. If possible, that determination will be made using medical evidence provided by an applicant. If no evidence is provided, it will likely be necessary for the individual to take part in an audiometric consultative examination.
It is important to know that the decision will be made based on how well a person can hear in their least impaired ear. In other words, if hearing loss is only sufficient in one ear to meet a disability threshold, an application will likely be denied. Of course, this doesn’t mean that an applicant isn’t entitled to any benefits. It simply means that it will be necessary to prove through other means that they are not able to work.
Applicants who meet the requirements to get disability benefits may not necessarily be approved on their initial applications. This may be because there is insufficient evidence to support the claim. An attorney may help an applicant overcome an examiner’s objection and obtain the financial benefits that they need to pay bills while out of work.
Overturning an initial denial often requires gathering evidence. Legal counsel could help a client organize important documents and get ready for the appeals process in front of a judge. At that point, the odds of gaining approval for benefits generally increase. This is because a judge has more leeway to overturn a previous denial if it makes sense to do so.
