Deaf applicants, or those with profound hearing loss, should be able to qualify for disability benefits - either by meeting the SSA's listing, or through a medical-vocational allowance. Here is how it works. If you have profound hearing loss or deafness, you should be able to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) details how significant your hearing loss must be for it to qualify as a disability that prevents you from working, and thus makes you eligible for benefits.