What this listing is about
Severe sensorineural or mixed hearing loss can meet the listing based on pure-tone thresholds (air and bone) or word recognition in the better ear—without hearing aids during testing. eCFR
Exact text (SSA)
“2.10 Hearing loss not treated with cochlear implantation.
A. An average air conduction hearing threshold of 90 decibels or greater in the better ear and an average bone conduction hearing threshold of 60 decibels or greater in the better ear (see 2.00B2c). OR
B. A word recognition score of 40 percent or less in the better ear determined using a standardized list of phonetically balanced monosyllabic words (see 2.00B2e).” eCFR
Checklist
- Better ear thresholds/word recognition used.
- Air average ≥ 90 dB and bone average ≥ 60 dB at 500/1000/2000 Hz, or
- Word recognition ≤ 40% using a standardized list of PB monosyllables.
- No hearing aids during testing; performed in sound-treated booth; otoscopic exam immediately beforehand; standards per ANSI. Social Security
Proof tips & testing
- Submit otologic evaluation + audiology within 2 months of each other initially.
- Include SRT data and explain discrepancies with pure tones (should be within ~10 dB); otherwise SSA may reject test validity.
- If claimant is not fluent in English, use appropriate language lists or document why equivalence (rather than meeting) is the correct path. Social Security
Definitions: PB words = phonetically balanced word lists; SRT = speech reception threshold; ANSI = American National Standards Institute testing standards.
Source & currency: 2.10 (eCFR); Blue Book 2.00B. eCFR Social Security
Under Listing 2.10, a Social Security Disability Lawyer can help present audiometric evidence that meets strict SSA standards. Accurate testing, proper conditions, and consistent medical documentation are critical to building a strong claim.