Hi, my name is Toby2007! Has anyone received PIP for being deaf in both ears?

Toby2007 · May 2023

Hi does anyone one know if they have received pip for been profoundly deaf in both ears

Hannah_Alumni · May 2023

Hello @Toby2007

Welcome to the community!

The GOV website says:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:
a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

Are you looking to apply for PIP for yourself or help on behalf of someone else?

Toby2007 · May 2023

I have already applied for it hoping I get it as my hearing is bad even with hearing aids my partner as do help me alot

yorkiegirl · May 2023

Hi I applied for pip in January.I have severe hearing loss in left ear and mild hearing loss in my left ear.I wear hearing aids but do struggle at times especially with background noise when trying to follow a conversation.I have just had my letter back.I was awarded 2 points my claim was turned down.I was hoping to get some advice from other people who have had the same experience with their claim.

faraway_21 · May 2023

Hi, I’ve also applied for PIP for my hearing loss. I wear hearing aids in both ears and it’s severe according to my audiology report. It impacts my life quite significantly and require some support to navigate day to day tasks. What evidence did you provide? What did they award the 2 points for? Also how long did they take to come back to you?

Toby2007 · May 2023

I only sent my form of 2 weeks ago
I struggle every day I can't use a phone I can't follow a conversation I can't hear alarms I can't mix with people as I can't follow what they say I won't go anywhere am very limited my partner has to help me all the time I won't go to new places as I get panicky as I can't hear whats going on or if I have to ask for directions
Did you have to have a consultation? I have been told I should get pip by my auidoligy

poppy123456 · May 2023

Most people have assessments, which are mostly by telephone, though i do understand that would be very difficult for you. You can ask for a face to face assessment at an assessment centre near you, if they send a telephone appointment.

faraway_21 · May 2023

Same, i’m just worried if I’ve given enough information to satisfy the descriptors. I applied 5 weeks ago, hopefully should be contacted for an assessment soon. Did you send a copy of your audiology report?

faraway_21 · June 2023

@yianni31 thank you so much for the detailed response. This has given me reassurance and clarity around the type of evidence of real life examples I need to provide. Did you have a paper based assessment?

Dougal1970 · June 2023

I wear a Baha and got a letter from my audiologist and had a paper assessment. I scored 2 points for washing and bathing and 12 points for communication, giving me enhanced daily living. I scored 10 points for following and planning a journey giving me standard mobility. I have been claiming since last year

faraway_21 · June 2023

Dougal1970 said:

I wear a Baha and got a letter from my audiologist and had a paper assessment. I scored 2 points for washing and bathing and 12 points for communication, giving me enhanced daily living. I scored 10 points for following and planning a journey giving me standard mobility. I have been claiming since last year

This is really helpful - did they see you in person? I’ve sent my audiology report as evidence and detailed description of how my condition impacts me.. the thought of an assessment is making me very nervous

Dougal1970 · June 2023

@faraway_21
I didn’t have to see anyone for an assessment it was done on the evidence I provided. I did exactly the same as you, sent evidence from my audiologist and a detailed description of how it affects me. Fingers crossed you’ll hear from them soon

summersunflower · July 2024

hi,

i've just come across this thread and am hoping you will see this.

I am currently looking into applying for PIP due to significant hearing loss and am just wondering what evidence you sent from your audiologist please? I have my hearing test results, otoscopy, tympanometry and audiometry findings and am just wondering what other evidence i will need to send from them?

@Dougal1970 and @yanni I can see you have been super helpful so any tips would be greatly appreciated :)

summersunflower · July 2024

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/707903#Comment_707903

@faraway_21 can i ask how you got on? i'm just at the beginning like you were and super nervous about it all

summersunflower · July 2024

summersunflower · July 2024

Thank you,

I am borderline moderate/severe hearing loss in both ears (right improving with high pitch, left decreasing with low tones) and am awaiting a referral for 2 hearing aids. - so i don't know yet how hearing aids will help, will this matter with the assessment?

It does affect my everyday life (more than i realised) i think having the hearing test just confirmed it for me that i'm not going mad and after speaking to my mum she said when i was younger i always used to be on the edge of a group conversation, never involved, she always used to explain to everyone that i can't hear well but kids don't get it. and its still the same now. i've just over time learnt how to avoid or adapt.

i avoid making phone calls unless i'm in a room on my own where i know i wont be disturbed and i know i can have it on max volume. i don't answer the phone if its someone i don't know

i rarely go out on my own, i will wait until someone is free to come with me. wind, rain, traffic all affects how much i can hear.

i drive but again with someone with me unless is a very short known journey (ie mums 5 minutes away) and always have air con/heating off as it affects my awareness (again realising these little adaptations i do)

i've lost most of my friends (realising now its because i always avoid 'group situations' going out etc so slowly but surely they've faded away)

in the shower, i need to wear ear plugs as i have 2 perforated ear drums so always make sure someone is home

Constantly mis hearing things or saying pardon, accidently making the wrong remark when someone says something as i thought i heard something else. so again unless its my family who i know and know about my problems, i avoid conversations unless someone is there for me to say 'what did they say' and they kind of chip in to make it not awkward.

i don't really know what i'm saying, i think i just need someone to say yes its worth applying or no, don't waste your time, i don't think things are bad enough to qualify.

evidence wise, i've got my hearing test result and confirmation from my audiologist that both ear drums are perforated and conductive hearing loss in both ears. is that enough along with my written information?

summersunflower · July 2024

I just typed a huge long reply and it got deleted :(

I have borderline moderate/severe hearing loss in both ears. left being worse with low tones right improving slightly with high pitches.

i am awaiting a referral for hearing aids in both ears. (will this affect the assessment the fact i don't have these yet as i don't know if they will help hearing or not)?

Its affected me more than i realised and i think having the hearing test after all these years has just confirmed it for me that i'm not going mad and i've just got really good at avoiding situations or adapting.

even after speaking to my mum she said that when i was younger i was always on the edge of the group of kids, never really joined in. she explained that i couldn't hear properly, but kids don't understand do they. and its the same now, i avoid all group situations unless i absolutely have to and then i will have to have someone with me who understands and can repeat what's been said or fill in for me so its not awkward.

mis hearing things, is something i always do, i try and fill in the gaps, or if we go to a busy place, ie shop i'm often saying 'what did they say' or look to my family who is next to me and they just know i haven't heard. again to avoid that situation as much as possible, i get shopping delivered weekly (another thing i've done without realising until now thats why)

i rarely go out on my own, 95% of the time someone will come with me as wind, rain, traffic noise depends how much or little i can hear. i drive but again most of the time someone will come with me, i don't have air con or heating on as it affects my awareness and i can get panicky. i will drive to somewhere i know (ie mums 5 minutes away). i wouldn't drive anywhere new alone.

i've lost the majority of my friends and i now think this is down to me totally avoiding going out to group situations so me always saying no means i've slowly but surely been dropped.

i need to wear ear plugs in the shower as i have 2 perforated ear drums and so i always make sure someone is home.

i avoid making phone calls unless i'm in a room on my own with phone on max volume. i don't answer calls i don't know.

i don't really know what i want from typing this apart from someone saying yes its worth applying, or no it doesn't affect you enough don't waste your time?

summersunflower · July 2024