Hearing Loss

[pawmbi]

Hello can anyone here read an audio test and possibly tell me where, or if, the Veteran's test should've' resulted in some type of hearing increase?  Veteran is currently SC for Tinnitus (10%) and Bilateral Hearing Loss (0%).  I had him do the VA approved test, and sent it in as a supplemental Claim.  Claim was denied (still waiting on letter) and just wondered based on the test results if anyone could read them and give me a clue.  I tried reading them but I simply couldn't understand it.   Strangely, the VA did not have him come in and do a test through them, which I thought they would they just took these results and denied.  Which leads me to believe the results do not meet any kind of threshold for an increase.    Anyway, if someone can help I'd appreciate it and helping this Veteran make a decision on his next steps.    

Audiological Evaluation 6.3.2021_Redacted.pdf

[Scottish_Knight]

I'm trying to understand this as well as I had my tinnitus and hearing loss exam about 10 days ago.  The numbers 250 - 8000 are the Hz used in the test (the wee beep tones one hears in the tests).  The numbers written in the exam provided show the db at which the patient heard those tones.  The lower the number the better insofar as hearing health.  When the number is higher it means the tone at a particular Hz were made higher for the patient to acknowledge hearing it.  A lower number shows healthy hearing whereas a higher number shows hearing loss.

The patient's age need be taken into consideration for an average means for the db levels along with previous hearing tests results.  As it was denied, ask the vet's GP or ENT what their take on the results are.  I am of the firm opinion that the VA is clueless, so to have an experienced medical expert / specialist review results and provide a written opinion is worth it's weight in gold.  Two or more opinions is a gold mine!  This is specially important if one decides to appeal.  The court will blast the VA when qualified medical experts provide written opinions that contradict the decision rating.

I have no knowledge or insight into the speech section of the provided document.  I would think one could google this to gather some good insight.  

The physician and tech that performed my tests were none too pleased with my results.  The end of the exam had the doctor showing me the various types of hearing aides and I'm only 57.  I need hearing aides.  On the tinnitus side, she has a website that offers Tinnitracks (in German) that is a smartphone app (also, not free) that is used to match the tone 'heard' to lessen the effects.  I've yet to try it.

As a side note on this, does the VA have SC for mental health?  The reason I ask is that for me at least, the tinnitus can effect one's mental health.  Lack of proper rest, frustration, ability to relax and nervousness.  I'm grown somewhat used to the constant ringing, but in bed at night it can be difficult to fall asleep, hence mental health.  If the vet does not have SC, he or she should look into making a claim.

[broncovet]

I agree with Scottish Knight, especially "the VA is clueless".   Are you wearing hearing aid(s)?  

In a nutshell you take the "Average".  To determine the average, add up the numbers the audiologist wrote on "1000", 2000,3000,and 4000.  

Then divide that total by 4 to determine average.  

I will do it for your right, you do the left:  (from your chart). 20 plus 50, plus 55, plus 65 equals 190.  Divide by 4 is 47.5 (use 48).  

So your average for right is 48.  

You then use your speech discrimination percent on the bottom of the chart for each ear.  Then you can plug into chart and get your disability percentage rating.  

Im teaching you to do it rather than just do it all.  

Edited July 29, 2021 by broncovet

[Scottish_Knight]

@broncovet, grand explanation.  That will help me better understand my results when they are made available.

[Fat]

God conversation....

[pawmbi]

On 7/29/2021 at 6:38 AM, broncovet said:

I agree with Scottish Knight, especially "the VA is clueless".   Are you wearing hearing aid(s)?  

In a nutshell you take the "Average".  To determine the average, add up the numbers the audiologist wrote on "1000", 2000,3000,and 4000.  

Then divide that total by 4 to determine average.  

I will do it for your right, you do the left:  (from your chart). 20 plus 50, plus 55, plus 65 equals 190.  Divide by 4 is 47.5 (use 48).  

So your average for right is 48.  

You then use your speech discrimination percent on the bottom of the chart for each ear.  Then you can plug into chart and get your disability percentage rating.  

Im teaching you to do it rather than just do it all.  

This is exactly what I want....to learn how to do it!  Thank you sir for your answer I appreciate it