Veterans: You Could Be Missing Out on Thousands in Hearing Loss Benefits—Here’s How to Qualify

If you’ve served in the military and are now struggling to hear clearly—whether it’s constant ringing in your ears, muffled conversations, or needing to turn up the TV louder than everyone else—it might be time to ask yourself: “Can I get VA disability for this?”

The short answer? Yes—if you qualify.

Hearing issues are incredibly common among veterans. And with new changes coming to the VA’s disability ratings, now is a smart time to learn what you’re entitled to and how to claim it.

Let’s walk through what you need to know.

Why So Many Veterans Struggle With Hearing Loss

Military service is tough on your ears. Whether you were near aircraft, gunfire, engines, or explosions, your hearing took a hit—whether you realized it at the time or not.

Years later, many veterans find themselves asking people to repeat things, avoiding group settings, or dealing with the constant buzz or ring of tinnitus. It’s frustrating—and for many, it’s directly tied to their service.

In fact, hearing loss and tinnitus are two of the most commonly approved service-connected conditions by the VA.

Who Can Qualify for VA Benefits?

To receive monthly VA compensation for hearing loss, you need to show three key things:

1. You Have a Hearing Loss Diagnosis

You’ll need a professional hearing test, usually done by a licensed audiologist. Not just “I think I’m losing my hearing,” but measurable results that the VA can review.

The test must include:

• Pure-tone threshold testing

• Speech recognition testing (specifically using the Maryland CNC word list)

If you don’t have one yet, the VA can schedule an exam—or your private audiologist may be able to do one that follows VA guidelines.

2. Your Hearing Loss Is Connected to Military Service

This means you need to show that your hearing loss was caused or worsened by your time in the military.

It doesn’t need to have started while you were still serving. Even if it appeared years later, you might still qualify—especially if your job involved repeated loud noise exposure.

For example, if you worked around aircraft, tanks, heavy machinery, or weapons, that alone may support your case.

3. It’s Still Affecting You Today

The VA also considers how your hearing loss impacts your life now. Are you missing conversations? Struggling on the phone? Avoiding noisy places?

If hearing loss is making your day-to-day life harder, it’s worth documenting.

You can even submit a short written statement or have a family member share how it affects your relationships, communication, or ability to work.

How the VA Rates Hearing Loss

The VA assigns a disability rating between 0% and 100%, based mostly on your hearing test results—not just how your condition feels to you in real life.

That’s why many veterans with hearing loss end up with a 0% or 10% rating, even if they struggle in real conversations.

In general:

• Most veterans with mild to moderate hearing loss receive 10%–30%

• Higher ratings (50% or more) are less common and usually tied to severe hearing loss in both ears

It’s not always a perfect system, which is why the VA is reviewing these standards and may update them by the end of 2025.

What About Tinnitus?

Tinnitus—the ringing or buzzing sound in your ears—is usually rated at 10%, regardless of whether it’s in one ear or both.

But here’s the catch: the VA may soon stop rating tinnitus as a standalone condition. Under proposed changes, you’d need to prove it’s caused by another condition, like hearing loss or a head injury.

If you have tinnitus, it’s a smart idea to file your claim before this rule changes.

Tips to Strengthen Your Hearing Loss Claim

If you’re thinking about applying (or reapplying), here’s how to give yourself the best shot:

1. Get a VA-Recognized Hearing Test

Make sure your audiologist performs the exact tests the VA requires. If they miss a step, the VA might reject the results.

VA medical centers or audiologists familiar with VA claims are your safest bet.

2. Gather Military Service Records

Even if you weren’t diagnosed during your service, you can still show that you were likely exposed to loud environments.

Examples of helpful evidence:

• Your job title or MOS

• Deployment history

• Duty stations near loud equipment or weapons

Don’t worry if you don’t have every document—the VA often accepts what’s called “reasonable noise exposure” for certain military jobs.

3. Explain the Impact on Your Daily Life

Describe what your hearing loss or tinnitus feels like today.

You might say:

• “I have trouble hearing when more than one person is talking.”

• “I avoid social events because it’s too hard to follow conversations.”

• “I sleep poorly due to the constant ringing in my ears.”

Real-life examples matter—and they help paint the full picture for your reviewer.

4. Work With a Veterans Service Officer (VSO)

A VSO is a trained advocate who can help you apply for benefits, gather evidence, and write a strong claim. They don’t charge you a dime.

They can also help you file before any rule changes go into effect later this year.

If your hearing was damaged during your time in uniform, you deserve support.

Too many veterans assume they won’t qualify—or that a 10% rating isn’t worth it. But those monthly payments, access to care, and acknowledgment of your service matter.

With new changes coming to VA rules, it’s more important than ever to take action. Whether it’s your first claim or you’re appealing a past denial, you don’t have to go it alone.