What this listing is about
Covers inability to produce intelligible, sustainable speech—from any cause—despite any assistive means. If the claimant’s speech cannot be heard, understood, or sustained, the listing is met. (Neurologically based language impairments may also be evaluated under 11.00.) eCFR
Exact text (SSA)
“2.09 Loss of speech due to any cause, with inability to produce by any means speech that can be heard, understood, or sustained.” eCFR
Checklist
- Speech loss from any etiology (laryngeal, neurologic, structural, iatrogenic).
- Inability to produce speech that is audible, intelligible, sustainable (all three).
- Consider parallel evaluation under neurological listings where appropriate (e.g., 11.04A, 11.07C, 11.11B). eCFR
Proof tips & testing
- Include ENT/SLP evaluations documenting voice quality, intelligibility, maximum phonation time, speech-language assessments.
- If neurologic, include neuroimaging and aphasia testing; if structural, include laryngoscopy and operative reports.
- Provide functional recordings (clinic notes describing real-world communication failure). eCFR
Definitions: SLP = speech-language pathologist; sustained = ability to maintain speech for typical conversational duration without rapid fatigue/aphonia.
Source & currency: 2.09 (eCFR); 2.00E/11.00 cross-references (eCFR). eCFR
Under Listing 2.09, a Social Security Disability Lawyer can help prove that a claimant’s speech loss prevents effective communication in any setting. Strong medical evaluations, functional evidence, and consistent documentation are key to meeting this listing.