Question:

I receive 40% disability for hearing loss I was told that I am a candidate for cochlear in my left ear if I decide to go ahead and get it would that increase my disability rating.

Jim's Reply:

Probably not. Your final rating will depend on the success of the surgery as well as the hearing loss you may have in the other ear. In fact, if the implant works well and you can hear, many would say that your rating should fall. However, since cochlear implants are viewed as hearing aids and you aren't given a hearing test while wearing hearing aid devices, your rating is likely to stay the same.