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Tinnitus & Hearing Loss C&P Exam

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63Charlie

Question

Yesterday I reported to the Orlando VA Medical Center for the above-styled exam

As he escorted me into the exam room, he asked me a question in a low voice.

I couldn't understand what he said.

I replied, "What did you say?"

Then he spoke clearly and loud enough for me to understand him.

So I replied to his question.

The initial part of the exam involved inserting some kind of medical device in each ear canal, one side at a time, and I felt pressure and it made beeping noises.

Then came the tone response test where you tell them when you can hear the tone.

Finally, sentences were said where you have to identify a particular word and repeat that word.

After it was over, the examiner led me out of the exam room and walked about ten steps ahead of me.

I have spine problems and use a cane so I'm slow anyway.

I see the examiner standing in the corridor and he asked me another question in a low voice that I could not understand.

I asked him to repeat what he said, and he asked me in a louder voice, so I could understand him, "Do you have any more exams today?"

Which I replied, "No."

While in the exam room he asked me how the tinnitus affects me.

I told him that the constant ringing in my ears annoys the crap out of me.

I told him that I turn on a fan next to my bed each night when I go to bed, to help drown out the noise from the ringing in my ears.

He asked," Have I had my hearing checked lately?"

I told him , no.

He said, "What makes you think that you have hearing loss?"

I said, "My wife gets aggravated because I have to turn up the volume of the TV to be able to hear it."

I said, "I've had to stop watching TV in the room with her because it always starts an argument."

He also asked what my civilian job occupation is/was.

I told him I've been a HVAC technician since the early nineties.

He said so you were exposed to noise made by air conditioning compressors.

He asked me what my military occupation was and I told him I worked as a diesel repair mechanic as my MOS.

I told him I was also exposed during training to noise from firing .50 caliber machine guns, .30 caliber machine guns,M16 Rifles, live grenades, and artillery simulators.

He asked if I used hearing protection, and I told him not when repairing the diesel engines, and I don't remember if we did when firing our weapons during training.

I had nothing to hide but honestly this guy left me with a bad vibe and an unpleasant experience.

The last thing I noticed was, Holy mackerel did this guy have some large feet! 

His shoes might have been a size 18.

 

Edited by 63Charlie
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  • HadIt.com Elder

Yeah   just have to wait and see what they decided?...I think you will be denied  and I hope I am wrong but just going by what that examiner ask you and your answers.

Hearing loss is one of the hardest VA Claims there is.

Keep ya fingers crossed.

Good Luck.

.................Buck 

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  • HadIt.com Elder

I think I read something last year about a new device that they can insert into the ear canals and certain sounds stimulates the brain  and if you don't hear it the brain waves says you did on this graft type device and records it accordingly to the to tones your brain is being stimulated

I don't know know what its called?

 but it could been something like that?   this is all new and I never seen one.

I think the SSA uses it for there hearing testing.

I'll try to find that if I can?  and I'll post it .

 

...............Buck

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in answer to your question about metal device, inserted into your ear I believe it is for a Tympanometry test.

"Tympanometry provides a way, along with a physical exam, for doctors to diagnose and monitor problems in the middle ear. The middle ear is located behind the tympanic membrane (eardrum). Tympanometry can help diagnose disorders that can lead to hearing loss, especially in children. The test measures the movement of your tympanic membrane in response to changes in pressure. The tympanic membrane is a thin tissue that separates the middle and outer ear segments. The results of a tympanometry are recorded on a graph called a tympanogram.

http://www.healthline.com/health/tympanometry#Overview1

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Greetings all,

Can anyone tell me what this info on my hearing loss means in layman's terms? I removed the redundant sections and only included what I thought was applicable. I also removed the names of myself and the examiner. 

 Thank you for any info you can provide and Happy Holidays 

LOCAL TITLE: AUDIOLOGY COMPENSATION AND PENSION EXAM (B) STANDARD TITLE: AUDIOLOGY C & P EXAMINATION CONSULT DATE OF NOTE: OCT 27, 2016@14:00 ENTRY DATE: OCT 27, 2016@15:32:45 AUTHOR: XXXXXX ONEI EXP COSIGNER: URGENCY: STATUS: COMPLETED Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Disability Benefits Questionnaire Name of patient/Veteran: XXXXX Is this DBQ being completed in conjunction with a VA 21-2507, C&P Examination Request? [X] Yes [ ] No ACE and Evidence Review ----------------------- Indicate method used to obtain medical information to complete this document: [X] In-person examination Evidence Review --------------- Evidence reviewed (check all that apply): [X] CPRS This exam is for: Hearing loss and/or tinnitus (audiologist, performing current exam) SECTION 1: HEARING LOSS (HL) ----------------------------- xxxxx  CONFIDENTIAL  Objective Findings --------------------- a. Puretone thresholds in decibels (air conduction): RIGHT EAR +==============================================================+ | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========+ | 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 3000 | 4000 | 6000 | 8000 | Avg Hz | | Hz* | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | (B-E)**| |========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========| | 60 | 70 | 95 | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 94 | +=======================================================================+ LEFT EAR +==============================================================+ | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========+ | 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 3000 | 4000 | 6000 | 8000 | Avg Hz | | Hz* | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | (B-E)**| |========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========| | 60 | 65 | 100 | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 94 | +=======================================================================+ * The puretone threshold at 500 Hz is not used in determining the evaluation but is used in determining whether or not a ratable hearing loss exists. ** The average of B, C, D, and E. *** CNT - Could Not Test b. Were there one or more frequency(ies) that could not be tested: No c. Validity of puretone test results: Test results are valid for rating purposes. d. Speech Discrimination Score (Maryland CNC word list): +=======================+ | RIGHT EAR | 46% | |=============+=========| | LEFT EAR | 48% |

[X] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 500-4000 Hz)* ICD code: H90.3 [ ] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 6000 Hz or higher frequencies)** ICD code: [ ] Significant changes in hearing thresholds in service***

Does the Veteran's hearing loss impact ordinary conditions of daily life, including ability to work: Yes

If yes, describe impact in the Veteran's own words: Veteran reports that he misunderstands what i s said, asks for repetitions alot, people think he is not paying attention, TV is too loud, he needs to use closed captioning on the TV and that his hearing loss is annoying to him. 5. Remarks, if any, pertaining to hearing loss: ----------------------------------------------- No response provided SECTION 2: TINNITUS -------------------- 1. Medical history ------------------ Does the Veteran report recurrent tinnitus: Yes Date and circumstances of onset of tinnitus: Veteran is service connected for tinnitus. His military and medical history are a matter of VARO record. 2. Etiology of tinnitus ----------------------- [X] Etiology opinion not indicated as: [X] Service connected condition 3. Functional impact of tinnitus -------------------------------- Does the Veteran's tinnitus impact ordinary conditions of daily life, including ability to work: Yes

If yes, describe impact in the Veteran's own words: Veteran reports that the tinnitus is annoying. 4. Remarks, if any, pertaining to tinnitus:: ----------------------

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Ifrom 1000   up to 5000  your hearing loss looks pretty bad to me. When the decibels are 55 or more &  When speech recognition is 92% or less, a performance intensity function must be obtained.

yours is 46 % left ear 48% right ear

§4.86   Exceptional patterns of hearing impairment.

(a) When the puretone threshold at each of the four specified frequencies (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz) is 55 decibels or more, the rating specialist will determine the Roman numeral designation for hearing impairment from either Table VI or Table VIa, whichever results in the higher numeral. Each ear will be evaluated separately.

(b) When the puretone threshold is 30 decibels or less at 1000 Hertz, and 70 decibels or more at 2000 Hertz, the rating specialist will determine the Roman numeral designation for hearing impairment from either Table VI or Table VIa, whichever results in the higher numeral. That numeral will then be elevated to the next higher Roman numeral. Each ear will be evaluated separately.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155)

[64 FR 25209, May 11, 1999]

 it looks like to me you could get a high rating loss of better than 50%   ...50% hearing loss is consider major hearing loss and  close to being completely deaf ,  also with tinnitus  and a Profound severe hearing loss  you could possibly be rated 90% and inferred to TDIU P&T if this keeps you from working . or what you were trained to do.

the test looks like you have profound hearing loss.

but that's just my opinion  what matters is the opinion of the raters and how they see this test.

if you get a 60% or 70% 80% 90%  ask for IU.... IF THEY DON'T GIVE IT TO YOU.

Edited by Buck52
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