The most common reason military veterans file for disability is because of tinnitus, a problem considered to be a hearing-related disorder. But, what about people who aren’t veterans? How do they fare when trying to prove that tinnitus is so disabling that they can no longer work full-time? This type of claim can be very difficult to have approved because the Social Security Administration does not recognize tinnitus as a condition qualifying for disability payments. Assistance from a Social Security disability lawyer in Whidbey Island, WA is important.
About Tinnitus
This disorder is characterized by hearing ringing or buzzing sounds, or other unpleasant noises when there is no exterior source. The effects may be continuous or intermittent. There are many causes, such as traumatic brain injury, nearness to an explosion, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and hearing loss. The hearing loss may not be noticeable. The seriousness of this condition ranges from mildly annoying to debilitating.
Tinnitus and Work Problems
If tinnitus is the only issue, even if it is connected with hearing loss, it will be a challenge to convince the administrators that the person cannot work. Most people eventually find effective ways to cope with the troublesome sounds.
One strategy for making a successful claim could be when the person has always worked in occupations in which superb hearing is important. Tinnitus can interfere with hearing because of the noises being produced neurologically. That may be disruptive to jobs such as customer service representative that mostly focus on telephone work.
Filing for Disability
Although the SSA doesn’t normally consider tinnitus a disability, the condition may be considered a symptom of another qualifying disabling condition, such as multiple sclerosis. This might be a way for a Social Security disability lawyer in Whidbey Island, WA to approach the matter.
A diagnosis by an audiologist is essential. An attorney with an organization such as Allen Law Firm must include medical records to support the claim. The hearing care specialist evaluates the patient’s hearing ability and performs several additional tests to diagnose tinnitus. These tests can indicate the severity of the problem. The documentation must include notes from the audiologist regarding the functional limitations of the patient.
