Vision and Hearing Problems

Hearing Loss: When Does Social Security Award Disability?

Social Security disability benefits are available for profound hearing loss or deafness, but not for moderate or mild hearing loss. The Social Security Administration (SSA) details how significant your hearing loss must be to qualify for SSDI or SSI disability benefits.

Disability Benefits for Reduced Vision or Hearing Function

You may have problems seeing or hearing well enough to work, even with glasses or a hearing aid, but not be considered legally blind or profoundly deaf.

Is Social Security or SSI Disability Available for Vertigo?

Vertigo is sometimes listed on a claimant's application for Social Security disability benefits, usually in connection to a vestibular balance disorder, Meniere's disease, or an unspecified inner ear problem.

Is Disability Available for Meniere's Disease?

Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear, specifically the vestibular labyrinth, which controls balance and positional awareness. The Social Security Administration has awarded disability benefits (both  SSI  and  SSDI) for Meniere's disease.

Disability for Acoustic Neuroma: Benefits and Filing Information

While there is no specific listing for acoustic neuroma, Social Security's blue book has a listing for "disturbances of labyrinthine-vestibular function." The listing actually describes the effects of acoustic neuroma without naming the condition.

Speech Disorders and Getting Disability

There are many different types of impairments that can interrupt one's ability to speak and be understood by others, which can affect one's ability to work.

Social Security Disability or SSI for Vision Loss or Blindness: An Overview

As with any physical or mental impairment, an applicant with impaired vision who applies for federal disability benefits (Social Security disability or SSI) may be approved on the basis of meeting one of Social Security's disability listings or may be approved on the basis of a medical-vocational allowance.

Filing for Disability for Partial or Total Blindness

If you have have low vision or are partially, legally, or totally blind, you may be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA details how significant your vision loss must be for it to qualify as a disability that prevents you from working, and thus makes you eligible for disability benefits.

Getting Disability for Loss of Peripheral Vision (Visual Field)

If you have extremely poor peripheral vision, you may qualify as being legally blind and be eligible for Social Security disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA details how much of a decrease in your peripheral vision you must have for it to qualify as a disability that prevents you from working, and thus makes you eligible for disability benefits.

Social Security Disability and Low Vision

Question I was born with very low vision in my right eye due to a problem with the development of my optic nerve. My visual acuity is 20/400 without glasses and 20/200 with glasses. I get double vision and blurred vision from time to time. Can I get disability benefits? Answer "Low vision" is a visual

Can I Get Disability Benefits for Macular Degeneration?

Macular degeneration is a disease characterized by a malfunction of cells that are responsible for sensing light within the eye. Macular degeneration is the most common cause of central vision loss in individuals older than 50 years old. In fact, macular degeneration is usually referred to as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Basic Facts About Glaucoma and Disability

Glaucoma is not a disease by itself, but refers to a group of optic nerve diseases that can cause blindness. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is thought to affect one in 200 people 50 years old and younger, and one in ten people over the age of 80 years old. There are

Palinopsia: Can I Get Disability Benefits?

Palinopsia is a neurological condition that causes people to see "afterimages" even when the object the person was looking at has gone. The afterimage can appear the day after viewing the object or while looking at the object, and the image can linger for several days after.

Can I Get Disability Based on Retinitis Pigmentosa Damage?

Retinitis pigmentosa is a progressive genetic disorder of the eye that affects the rods and cones, or retinal epithelium. Currently, there is no cure or treatment for retinitis pigmentosa.

Can I Get Disability for Poor Eyesight?

Can I Get Disability for Having 20/800 Vision? I'm 23 years old and I've had to go through the Lions Club to get glasses since the second grade. My vision has progressively got worse over the years and the last time I asked my doctor what my eye sight was, his response was 20/800. I've heard I’m considered partially blind. Would I qualify for disability?