PIP for hearing loss

There's no hearing-loss-specific PIP form

PIP doesn't have a list of qualifying conditions, and hearing loss isn't on any such list because none exists. DWP looks instead at how it affects your daily living and mobility, using 12 set activities. Two people with similar hearing loss can get different results, because it's about the effect, not the diagnosis. See the PIP conditions list guide for more on this.

How hearing loss can affect the 12 activities

• Communicating verbally - hearing loss can make it hard to follow speech, especially in groups or with background noise, even with a hearing aid. "I often have to ask people to repeat themselves, and in a group I lose track of who's speaking." See communicating.
• Mixing with people - missing parts of conversations can make social situations tiring or stressful, and some people avoid groups because of it. "I stopped going to my book club because I couldn't follow the conversation and felt left out." See mixing with people.
• Planning and following journeys - not hearing announcements, alarms or traffic can make travelling alone harder or less safe. "I've missed my stop on the bus because I couldn't hear the announcement." See planning and following journeys.
• Preparing food - not hearing a timer, a pan boiling over or a smoke alarm can make cooking less safe for some people. "I can't hear the kettle or the timer, so I burn things unless I stand and watch every pan." See preparing food.

What 'reliably' means with hearing loss

DWP should only count what you can do safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, and in a reasonable time, using any aid you'd normally use, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Lip-reading or a hearing aid might work well face to face, in a quiet room with good light. They often don't work as well on the phone, in background noise, or with someone who doesn't face you. Say what happens in ordinary situations, not just the best case.

Good days and bad days

Some hearing conditions stay much the same day to day, while others, such as Meniere's disease, can vary a lot. If yours varies, describe a typical day and a bad day, such as when tinnitus or dizziness is worse, and say how often that happens. DWP looks at what's true on more than half of days over a year.

Evidence that helps

Useful evidence includes a letter or audiogram from an audiologist or ENT specialist, records about your hearing aid or cochlear implant, or a statement from someone who communicates with you regularly. Send copies, not originals. See what to send with your PIP form.

Things people often leave out

People often don't mention how tiring it is to concentrate on lip-reading or following speech, or that they miss things like a doorbell, alarm or someone calling their name. It's easy to leave out how family or friends repeat things, answer the phone, or go with you to appointments. Say what actually happens, not just what you can manage with full concentration.

Common questions