Calculator

VA Hearing Loss Rating Calculator

Turn the numbers on your audiogram into the rating VA's tables produce, under 38 CFR 4.85 and 4.86.

Free, no sign-in, and built on the current VA rate tables. The calculator runs in your browser on this page.

How VA rates hearing loss

A hearing loss rating is arithmetic on two test results: the puretone threshold average across 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz, and the Maryland CNC word recognition score. Both come from an audiologist's exam, and VA accepts only the Maryland CNC list for the speech score (38 CFR 4.85).

Table VI turns each ear's average and speech score into a Roman numeral from I to XI. Table VII crosses the two ears' numerals to give the percentage. When a pattern is exceptional (every threshold at 1000 through 4000 Hz is 55 dB or more, or 1000 Hz is 30 dB or less while 2000 Hz is 70 dB or more), 38 CFR 4.86 allows Table VIa, which uses the puretone average alone, whichever gives the higher numeral.

This calculator holds the three tables as published and runs them on the numbers you type.

A worked example

Averages of 50 dB and 45 dB with 80 and 88 percent speech scores

1. Right ear: 50 dB average with 80 percent word recognition falls in Table VI at numeral III.
2. Left ear: 45 dB average with 88 percent word recognition falls at numeral II.
3. Table VII crosses III and II, which gives 0 percent.
4. A 0 percent rating still establishes service connection for hearing loss, which matters for later increases, hearing aids, and the separate tinnitus rating.

What this estimate leaves out

• The result depends entirely on the exam numbers. A private audiogram without a Maryland CNC score cannot be rated on speech, so ask for that test by name.
• Tinnitus is rated separately at 10 percent under diagnostic code 6260 and is not part of this calculation.
• Hearing aids, VA health care eligibility and the claim itself are decided by VA; this shows the number the tables produce.

Questions veterans ask

Why is my hearing loss rated 0 percent?

Most hearing loss that qualifies for service connection produces low numerals in Table VI, and Table VII gives 0 percent for numerals below about III in both ears. The tables reward loss in the speech range and in both ears.

What is the puretone average?

The average of the thresholds, in decibels, at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz for one ear. Higher means worse hearing.

Can VA use my private audiologist's test?

Yes, if it was done by a state-licensed audiologist, includes a puretone audiogram and a Maryland CNC word recognition test, and the results are legible. VA will usually still order its own exam.

Does tinnitus get its own rating?

Yes. Tinnitus is 10 percent under diagnostic code 6260, whether it is in one ear or both, and it combines with the hearing loss rating.

Read next

• Tinnitus and hearing loss claims
• How VA turns an audiogram into a rating
• What kind of hearing test VA accepts
• Combine it with your other ratings

Sources

• 38 CFR 4.85, evaluation of hearing impairment (Tables VI, VIa, VII)
• 38 CFR 4.86, exceptional patterns of hearing impairment
• 38 CFR 4.87, diagnostic code 6260, tinnitus

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• Sick Leave Credit: Unused sick leave as FERS service credit.

YourVABenefits is software you run on your own records. It is not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and does not file claims. You file on VA.gov, or an accredited representative files for you at no charge.