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Original poster

Pip for unilateral hearing loss

140 replies

SomeCommonThing · 05/01/2023 17:40

I'm thinking of applying for pip for one sided hearing loss, I've been moderately deaf in that ear for as long as I can remember and have worn a hearing aid since I was a child.
I feel my hearing is getting worse and have an appointment to request another hearing test, I have also finally accepted I actually have a disability, and decided to maybe try apply for pip.
I was wondering if anyone on here had any experience of claiming for a similar condition?

OP posts:
caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 17:43

Have a look at the descriptors and try to work out which would 'fit' - PIP isn't about your diagnosis but how your condition affects you.

Original poster
SomeCommonThing · 05/01/2023 17:49

Thank you, it affects my life quite a lot and I definitely have to make choices based around my hearing. From the link youve provided there are a couple of sections with generate some "points".

OP posts:
caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 17:52

You need 8+ for standard rate and 12+ for enhanced.

The cab can help with the form as can welfare rights (local council) but I'm sure there are other agencies too. Don't attempt it alone and gather as much evidence as you can.

TheShellBeach · 05/01/2023 17:57

A DWP assessor has an AMA going at the moment. Post on it and ask her.

NotMyDayJob · 05/01/2023 17:59

I mean, I can only speak for myself, I have around 95% hearing lost in one ear, and about 20% in the other, wear hearing aids in both ears and have done for about 15 years. Congenital hearing loss, but held off on wearing aids for as long as possible. I'll be honest it would never occur to me to apply for PIP, genuine question, what would you spend it on?

mrstickletum · 05/01/2023 18:01

I too am 100% deaf in one ear and work on call centre with a headset on my 'good' ear .

caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 18:01

NotMyDayJob · 05/01/2023 17:59

I mean, I can only speak for myself, I have around 95% hearing lost in one ear, and about 20% in the other, wear hearing aids in both ears and have done for about 15 years. Congenital hearing loss, but held off on wearing aids for as long as possible. I'll be honest it would never occur to me to apply for PIP, genuine question, what would you spend it on?

It doesn't matter what it would be spent on. The DWP don't need to know so why do you?

PacificallyRequested · 05/01/2023 18:02

Assuming your hearing is fine in the other ear, I don't think you would score highly enough to get an award.

NotMyDayJob · 05/01/2023 18:03

caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 18:01

It doesn't matter what it would be spent on. The DWP don't need to know so why do you?

Show quote history

Because I'm responding to a post on the internet to ask a question.

Did you have anything to add or did you just want to be rude?

Lougle · 05/01/2023 18:05

You would get 2 points for wearing a hearing aid. You'd need another 6 points on the other descriptors. I can't see how you would get them, to be honest, and I'm normally someone who pushes people to apply for PIP.

caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 18:05

I think it's ruder to ask what someone intends spending their money on...

Eilan50 · 05/01/2023 18:06

You will need to demonstrate you require assistance with daily living activities as detailed in those descriptors linked by PP.
The key to being successful is submitting supporting evidence which details how your disability affects you. So gather any reports from HCPs involved with you, or anyone who supports you with work or family life.

PacificallyRequested · 05/01/2023 18:06

In the relevant sections I mean. There are 12 daily living and mobility activities, most of which this condition wouldn't affect at all. The only ones that it might be relevant to are communicating and engaging with other people. But like I said if you can hear fine with one ear that's unlikely to be the case.

OneSidedHearing · 05/01/2023 18:08

That is so interesting. I am completely deaf in one ear (so no hearing aid) and over time have met plenty of people who also have this condition. We all live normal lives with only the most minuscule adjustments to everyday life. It has never affected me to the extent that I would think of myself as disabled even though technically I am. And I'm certainly not scoring any points on the document linked above. I will never enjoy stereo sound and I can't tell where a sound is coming from (I tend to get a bit stressed driving if I hear an ambulance but can't yet see the blue lights). I struggle socialising in noisy environments (think pub) and I always position myself on the same side of people/ a specific corner of the table, and I always pick the phone up on one side (which inconveniently is also my writing hand). I do sometimes completely miss people speaking to me if they have not first attracted my attention, and I usually tell new acquaintances very early about y deafness because they might think I am ignoring them .
Of course if my "good" ear also started to fail that would be different premise.

NotMyDayJob · 05/01/2023 18:08

caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 18:05

I think it's ruder to ask what someone intends spending their money on...

Then the OP can tell me to mind my own business. Or they might say, they need it for cost of living as they find it difficult to work, or they might they would spend it on x useful thing that would help them as a person who suffers from hearing loss and I might think I would find that useful as well.

Unless you're the OP sock puppeting it's also pretty rude for you to presume to speak on their behalf

helpfulperson · 05/01/2023 18:11

Surely what she would spend it on is very relevant as the whole point of it is to enable people to pay for things that will make their life easier.

caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 18:13

helpfulperson · 05/01/2023 18:11

Surely what she would spend it on is very relevant as the whole point of it is to enable people to pay for things that will make their life easier.

It's not relevant at all. PIP is awarded based on a points system so the only relevant thing here is whether OP would score enough to qualify. The DWP don't want to know what PIP is spent on so in white sure random people on mumsnet don't need to know.

caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 18:15

@NotMyDayJob

Unless you're the OP sock puppeting it's also pretty rude for you to presume to speak on their behalf

I have no idea what you mean, but there is nothing wrong with my pointing out what the money would be spent on is irrelevant, other than you didn't like it, which is also irrelevant.

JudithHarper · 05/01/2023 18:18

I get PIP because of my deafness. Not fully deaf but heavy loss in each ear. As you may know, you need to concentrate on questions 9 and 11.

For question 9, I wrote about the difficulties of phone calls and face to face conversations. I mentioned the stress of speaking to strangers who may treat you as stupid if they have to keep repeating things. I also mentioned the difficulties with group conversations, as you cannot keep up with everyone talking at once. I mentioned the difficulties in hearing smoke alarms, fire alarms and emergency vehicle sirens. I also mentioned places like doctors or dentists that may call people in via a loudspeaker.

For question 11, I spoke about the difficulties I have socialising and the feelings of stress and anxiety that arise in such situations. I mentioned that conversations often have to be relayed via Alan, which can be difficult and time consuming.

Look on deaf charity websites for help in how to fill the form in. I just googled 'PIP for deafness'. You just have to to think about your own personal problems you encounter and tailor your answer to them.

Be aware that you will almost certainly be refused PIP initially. Appeal it. People who are trying it on will generally not bother with an appeal. I initally scored zero points so I told them to actually look at my answers again and I was then awarded enough points for standard rate care.

Good luck.

NotMyDayJob · 05/01/2023 18:20

caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 18:15

@NotMyDayJob

Unless you're the OP sock puppeting it's also pretty rude for you to presume to speak on their behalf

I have no idea what you mean, but there is nothing wrong with my pointing out what the money would be spent on is irrelevant, other than you didn't like it, which is also irrelevant.

And you pointing it out is irrelevant (I mean we could be here all day). You seem oddly invested in defending a position when it's not even your post, when all I did was take a polite interest in something that might be of benefit to me

Original poster
SomeCommonThing · 05/01/2023 18:20

I didn't expect so many replies, so sorry if I don't answer everything.

Because of the specific loss in that ear there are certain frequencies I can't hear, my good ear doesn't appear to compensate much and I've noticed a decline recently. In crowds or busy areas or near traffic my husband can stand next to me and speak and I can't hear him, can't pick his voice out and cannot follow a line of conversation. I wish everyone had subtitles 😂
I never considered it until recently, because I've been this way my whole life, I've always just got on with it.
And then someone pointed out how much I naturally avoid to compensate for my hearing, personally and while at work which has got me thinking about the impact it actually does have on my life.

OP posts:
caravanbuckie · 05/01/2023 18:23

@NotMyDayJob

By 'oddly invested' you mean I replied to you?

I'm always amused when people try to make something weird out of abnormal back and forth exchange.

Sorry for the detail OP Blush

TheShellBeach · 05/01/2023 18:23

helpfulperson · 05/01/2023 18:11

Surely what she would spend it on is very relevant as the whole point of it is to enable people to pay for things that will make their life easier.

The DWP do not ask, nor do they need to know what PIP is spent ob
It's irrelevant.
OP I always encourage people to apply, but am having trouble figuring out which descriptors would apply to you.
You'd need 8 points at a mininum and I'm not convinced you'd get them.

Adeckofcards · 05/01/2023 18:24

NotMyDayJob · 05/01/2023 18:03

Because I'm responding to a post on the internet to ask a question.

Did you have anything to add or did you just want to be rude?

Show quote history

Caravanbuckie is right though. What she would spend it on doesn't add anything to the OP's original question and doesn't apply as to if she is/isn't eligible.