Rating guide · Hearing
Hearing Loss: The Test Decides Everything
With hearing loss there’s almost no judgment call. The audiologist’s numbers go into two VA tables and a percentage comes out, so the exam has to be done right.
- Required tests
- Table method
- Higher-rating patterns
- Value of 0%
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The Two Required Tests
A VA-valid hearing exam is done by a state-licensed audiologist, without hearing aids, and includes:
- Speech discrimination (Maryland CNC): the percentage of words you understand correctly
- Puretone audiometry: your hearing thresholds, in decibels, at each frequency
Hearing screenings from retail stores or online tests usually can’t be used for a rating.
From Decibels to a Percentage
The VA averages your thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz for each ear, pairs that average with your speech score to get a Roman numeral (I to XI) per ear, and then reads the percentage off a second table using both numerals.
Patterns that get a boost (38 CFR 4.86)
- If every one of the four frequencies is 55 dB or worse, the VA uses whichever table produces the higher numeral.
- If you’re at 30 dB or better at 1000 Hz but 70 dB or worse at 2000 Hz, the VA uses the higher result and then raises it one more numeral.
A 0% Rating Still Pays Off Later
Plenty of veterans receive 0% for hearing loss and wonder why they bothered. Here’s why it matters: service connection is established, so when your hearing worsens you only have to show the change. It also reinforces a tinnitus claim built on the same noise exposure, and it can matter for VA health care, including hearing aids.
Hearing Loss VA Rating: Common Questions
Why is hearing loss often rated 0%?
The rating comes straight from VA tables based on your test results, and many real, service-connected hearing losses fall below the compensable level.
Do I wear my hearing aids to the exam?
No. VA hearing exams are performed without hearing aids.
Will a test from a hearing aid store count?
Usually not, unless it was done by a state-licensed audiologist and included both the Maryland CNC speech test and puretone audiometry.
Can I file again if my hearing gets worse?
Yes. Once hearing loss is service-connected, you can request an increase and a new exam will measure your current hearing.
Nebraska Veterans: Get the Rating You Earned
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