Deafness and SSI.?

Is severe to profound deafness considered a disabilty that would enable one to collect social security ?

This would be for a child. A family member's infant has just been diagnosed profoundly deaf and i was curious to find out what resources they had available to them. I know the mother will want to stay home for some time now while they go through the process of finding out what avenues to chose for their infant and to help her to flourish. So i was curious whether the infant qualified.

No. Social Security is for those over 65, and for those who can not work because of their disability. Deafness wouldn't prevent anyone from working. Also, you have to pay into SS for some number of years before you can collect SS.

Yes in most cases.........

it could be, consult with a doctor who treats people for social security

Depends on what caused the hearing loss, and how much of your hearing is restored with the use of an aid. Check with you local Social Security office about qualifying. Or, Go to www.socialsecurity.gov for LOTS of information... The criteria for children is different than adults. The adult Listing of Impairments on the web concerning special senses, including hearing loss states:

2.07 Disturbance of labyrinthine-vestibular function (Including Meniere's disease), characterized by a history of frequent attacks of balance disturbance, tinnitus, and progressive loss of hearing. With both A and B:

A. Disturbed function of vestibular labyrinth demonstrated by caloric or other vestibular tests; and

B. Hearing loss established by audiometry.

2.08 Hearing impairments (hearing not restorable by a hearing aid) manifested by:

A. Average hearing threshold sensitivity for air conduction of 90 decibels or greater, and for bone conduction to corresponding maximal levels, in the better ear, determined by the simple average of hearing threshold levels at 500, 1000, and 2000 hz. (see 2.OOB 1); or

B. Speech discrimination scores of 40 percent or less in the better ear.


So, talk to your doctor.

If your deafness is keeping you from working and your income (earned and unearned) and resources are below certain levels, your deafness could be considered a disability. A family member of mine is profoundly deaf and collecting SSI based on his disability. He has been able to work at times, and he reports those wages to the SSA when he has them, but as you probably know, it is HARD to find and keep work when you are deaf. He is now going to school to become a teacher, and is planning on seeking employment in a deaf school (he will be a great teacher), so he is hoping to get off of SSI for good in the future. Also, if you have worked at all in the past, check with SSD to see if you are ensured to collect SSD benefits. OR, if you became disabled before you turned 22 years old, and one of your parents has a work history and are retired, disabled, or deceased, you may be able to collect some benefits off of their record. Good Luck!!