The VA uses a detailed Hearing Loss Rating Chart to determine disability compensation based on the severity of a veteran's hearing impairment. This chart combines results from pure tone audiometry tests (measuring how loud sounds must be for you to hear them) and speech discrimination tests (assessing how well you understand spoken words).
Here’s a simplified breakdown of how the VA evaluates hearing loss:
Pure Tone Audiometry Test: Measures hearing loss at various frequencies (typically at 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz). The results are averaged across these frequencies for both ears.
Speech Discrimination Test: Measures your ability to understand speech. This test gives a percentage score based on how many words you correctly repeat.
The VA places these results into its Schedule of Ratings for Hearing Loss:
- 0% disability rating: Typically assigned if your pure tone average is 0-10 decibels in your better ear, meaning your hearing loss is not compensable.
- 10% disability rating: Given when your hearing loss is mild, often with a pure tone average between 11-40 decibels in the better ear.
- 30% to 50% disability rating: Moderate to severe hearing loss, often resulting in increased difficulty hearing normal conversations and more compensation.
- 100% disability rating: Awarded in cases of profound hearing loss or near-total deafness.
To see how your specific audiology results translate into a VA disability rating, a rating table is used, which cross-references the pure tone averages and speech discrimination scores for both ears. You can refer to this chart to find out what your combined results indicate in terms of a percentage rating.
For more detailed information on the VA's rating criteria, it's advised to consult with a VA representative or review resources from veterans’ organizations