This is the question I received and the answer I supplied.
You described the problem as: "My mom is completely deaf in her left ear." She is 52 years old.
I write to respond to the information you completed asking for information a copy of which is below the email. Your 52 year old mother is deaf in one ear. There are many causes of deafness and various degrees of deafness. There is a type of deafness that carries with it severe dizziness called Memiere's disease. Federal Social Security benefits are available when a person is unable to do their past work because of a physical or mental condition and the condition will last at least 12 months. It is easier to show disability in individuals who are over age 50, like your mother. What you have to show is that the deafness prevents her from her past work. If she is only deaf in one ear, that will be hard to prove. The question is whether she is able to communicate effectively in English. However, I expect that deafness is not her only problem.
I suspect that she has other problems that make it difficult for her to sit, stand and walk – I say that only because the farther over 50 one ages, the more likely it is that physical problems will prevent them from their past work. Many people come to me with a primary complaint of deafness, declining vision or problems with one shoulder. Alone, any one of those problems may not prevent past work. But when considered together, the combination prevents her from doing her past work. Most people in her (our) age group just assume that pain is a regular part of aging and "no big deal". It's just something to live with. That isn't quite correct. It is a big deal. People work all of their lives and pay a tax on their wages (FICA) so there is a safety net there incase they can no longer work or when they retire. Any condition or combination of conditions could be "disabling" under the Social Security Act. Without more information about the kind of jobs she did over her life time and whether she has a combination of other problems, I cannot give your further information. This email is not legal advise, just my view off the top of my head of what you have told me. This email does not create a lawyer/client relationship
