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What Are the Different Types of Court Hearings?

The list below is a list of different types of court hearings:

Arraignment

An arraignment , is your initial appearance before the Judge. It's your chance to be recommended on the charge(s) that are filed against you and your court rights; it also is your chance to enter a plea to your charge(s). If you do not appear for the arraignment, a delinquent notice is sent. If you don't reply in person to your delinquent notice within ten days, a bench warrant is issued for an arrest.

Review Hearing

As your sentencing conditions are due, you'll be set for a review hearing. The sentencing might include a variety of consequences like a charge related class, community service hours, restitution, and so on. If you don't complete the sentencing requirements or your Judge orders your presence, you must appear. If you've successfully finished your sentencing requirements, you have to turn in evidence by the date of your review hearing. If you do not appear or offer proof, a bench warrant is issued for an arrest.

Show Cause Hearing

If you do not appear for the review hearing, you might get a notice of show cause inside the mail. The show cause gives you an appearance date in court to discuss why you didn't offer evidence of your sentencing and didn't appear for the review hearing. If you finish your sentencing and offer evidence to the court before the date of your show cause hearing, you don't have to appear in court. But, if you haven't finished, you have to appear, or a bench warrant is going to be issued for an arrest.

Bond Hearing

If you happened to enter a "not guilty" plea at the arraignment, you'll be scheduling a future meeting date with the City's Prosecuting Attorney to talk over your case. If you don't appear, a bench warrant is going to be issued for an arrest.

Final Pre-Trial Status Conference

The conference might be arranged at the Judge's discretion before the date of trial, to make sure that both parties are ready for trial, and to care for any problems which might have come up.

If you set the case for trial, your Judge is going to preside over your trial proceedings. If you do not appear, a bench warrant is going to be issued for an arrest.

If you set the case for a jury trial, the jury will determine your innocence or guilt. If you do not appear, a bench warrant is going to be issued. Take note: Not every charge is qualified for a jury trial.

For more information on the different types of court hearings contact the court appearance professionals at Attorneys on Demand today!

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8.3: Eye and Ear Assessment

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• Ernstmeyer & Christman (Eds.)
• Chippewa Valley Technical College via OpenRN

Now that we have reviewed the anatomy of the eyes and ears and their common disorders, let’s discuss common eye and ear assessments performed by nurses.

Subjective Assessment

Nurses collect subjective information from the patient and/or family caregivers using detailed questions and pay close attention to what the patient is reporting to guide the physical exam. Focused interview questions include inquiring about current symptoms, as well as any history of eye and ear conditions. See Table \(\PageIndex{1}\) for suggested interview questions related to the eyes and ears.

Life Span Considerations

When collecting subjective data from children, information is also obtained from parents and/or legal guardians. Children aged 2-24 months commonly experience ear infections. Vision impairments may become apparent in school-aged children when they have difficulty seeing the board from their seats. Additional subjective data may be obtained by asking these questions:

• Have you or your child’s teachers noticed your child experiencing any problems seeing or hearing?
• Has your child experienced frequent ear infections or had tubes placed in their ears? If so, have you noticed any effects on their language development?

Older Adults

The aging adult experiences a general slowing in nerve conduction. Vision, hearing, fine coordination, and balance may also become impaired. Older adults may experience presbyopia (decreased near vision), presbycusis (hearing loss), cataracts, macular degeneration, or glaucoma. They may also experience feelings of dizziness or feeling off-balance, which can result in falls. Read more about these conditions in the “ Eye and Ear Basic Concepts ” section earlier in this chapter.

Tip: Educate all patients to have yearly eye examinations.

Objective Assessment

A routine assessment of the eyes and ears by registered nurses in inpatient and outpatient settings typically includes external inspection of eyes and ears for signs of a medical condition, as well as screening for vision and hearing problems. A vision screening test, whispered voice hearing test, and assessment of pupillary response are often included in the physical exam based on the setting. [1] Additional assessments may be performed if the patient’s status warrants assessment of the cranial nerves.

Begin the assessment by inspecting the eyes. The sclera should be white and the conjunctiva should be pink. There should not be any drainage from the eyes. The patient should demonstrate behavioral cues indicating effective vision during the assessment.

Inspect the ears. There should not be any drainage from the ears or evidence of cerumen impaction. The patient should demonstrate behavioral cues indicating effective hearing.

Vision Tests

See more information about procedures for assessing vision in the “ Eye and Ear Basic Concepts ” section earlier in this chapter. Assess far vision using the Snellen eye chart. In outpatient settings, near vision may be assessed using a prepared card or a newspaper. Color vision may be assessed using a book containing Ishihara plates.

Hearing Test

Nurses perform a basic hearing assessment during conversation with the patient. For example, the following patient cues during normal conversation can indicate hearing loss:

• Lip-reads or watches your face and lips closely rather than your eyes
• Leans forward or appears to strain to hear what you are saying
• Moves head in a position to catch sounds with the better ear
• Misunderstands your questions or frequently asks you to repeat
• Uses an inappropriately loud voice
• Demonstrates garbled speech or distorted vowel sounds [2]

Whisper Test

The whispered voice test is an effective screening test used to detect hearing impairment if performed accurately. Complete the following steps to accurately perform this test: [3]

• Stand at arm’s length behind the seated patient to prevent lip reading.
• Test each ear individually. The patient should be instructed to occlude the nontested ear with their finger.
• Exhale before whispering and use as quiet a voice as possible.
• Whisper a combination of numbers and letters (for example, 4-K-2), and then ask the patient to repeat the sequence.
• If the patient responds correctly, their hearing is considered normal; if the patient responds incorrectly, the test is repeated using a different number/letter combination.
• The patient is considered to have passed the screening test if they repeat at least three out of a possible six numbers or letters correctly.
• The other ear is assessed similarly with a different combination of numbers and letters.

Pupillary Response, Extraocular Movement, and Cranial Nerves

When a patient is suspected of experiencing a neurological disease or injury, their pupils are assessed to ensure they are bilaterally equal, round, and responsive to light and accommodation (PERRLA). Extraocular movement and other cranial nerves may also be assessed that affect vision, hearing, and balance. For more information about how to assess PERRLA, extraocular eye movement, and other cranial nerves, go to the “ Assessing Cranial Nerves ” section in the “Neurological Assessment” chapter.

See Table \(\PageIndex{2}\) for a comparison of expected versus unexpected findings when assessing the eyes and ears.

• Giddens, J. (2007). A survey of physical examination techniques performed by RNs: Lessons for nursing education. Journal of Nursing Education, 46 (2), 83-87. ↵
• Jarvis, C. (2015). Physical examination and health assessment (7th ed.). Saunders. p. 330. ↵
• Pirozzo, S., Papinczak, T., & Glasziou, P. (2003). Whispered voice test for screening for hearing impairment in adults and children: Systematic review. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 327 (7421), 967. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7421.967↵

Video calling 

Video calling or conference call applications like FaceTime (for Apple devices), WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, Zoom or Skype can be used on a computer, tablet or mobile device. This way, the user can take advantage of both auditory and visual cues in communicating. Many of these options are free and can include group conversations as well.

Since the 1960s, people with hearing loss or those with speech difficulties, have used text telephone or telecommunication devices, referred to as TTYs, to communicate on the phone. When both parties have a TTY system, the message is sent via text. If the other party in the conversation does not have a TTY system, a relay service must be used. This is a free service and, by dialing 711, the caller is automatically connected to a telecommunication relay service (TRS) operator, making this a great option for those who do not have access to available and/or affordable Internet access. TTY is also available during emergency response services when dialing 911.

Hearing device user options 

For telephone users with hearing devices, there are several options to improve communication. Depending on the patient’s hearing devices and their cellphone model, some of these options allow the phone call to be streamed directly to both ears, utilizing the binaural benefits of hearing.

• Specific phone program
• Bluetooth streaming accessories to be the middleman between the phone and hearing devices
• Smart hearing technology that directly connects to Bluetooth devices, like smart phones and tablets, without the need for an additional accessory.

Discuss options with an audiologist to determine which best fits your individual needs.

Roup, C. M., Poling, G. L., Harhager, K., Krishnamurthy, A., & Feth, L. L. (2011). Evaluation of a telephone speech-enhancement algorithm among older adults with hearing loss. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 54(5), 1477-1483.

Marcrum, S. C., Picou, E. M., & Steffans, T. (2016). Avoiding disconnection: An evaluation of telephone options for cochlear implant users. International Journal of Audiology 56(3), 186-193.

Telecommunication relay service. (2020, April 8). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved September 2, 2020, from https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/telecommunications-relay-service-trs

Find an Audiologist

An audiologist can help diagnose, treat, and help manage a hearing or balance condition. Use our Find an Audiologist Directory to search for an audiologist near you.

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• Section 13. Conducting a Public Hearing

Chapter 33 Sections

• Section 1. Writing Letters to Elected Officials
• Section 2. Writing Letters to the Editor
• Section 3. Criticizing Unfavorable Action
• Section 4. Filing a Complaint
• Section 5. Seeking Enforcement of Existing Laws or Policies
• Section 6. Using Personal Testimony
• Section 7. Lobbying Decisionmakers
• Section 8. Establishing Lines of Communication with the Opposition's Traditional Allies
• Section 9. Conducting a Petition Drive
• Section 10. General Rules for Organizing for Legislative Advocacy
• Section 11. Developing and Maintaining Ongoing Relationships with Legislators and their Aides
• Section 12. Registering Voters
• Section 14. Organizing Public Demonstrations
• Section 15. Seeking a Negotiator, Mediator, or Fact-Finder
• Section 16. Initiating Legal Action
• Section 17. Organizing a Boycott
• Section 18. Organizing a Strike
• Section 19. Using Social Media for Digital Advocacy
• Section 20. Advocacy Over and For the Long Term
• Main Section

• A public hearing may be a formal meeting for receiving testimony from the public at large on a local issue, or proposed government action. Testimony from both sides of an issue is usually recorded for public record, and a report summarizing the key points is generated. All levels of government hold public hearings - from city on up to the national level. Sometimes, formal public hearings are mandated by law (on the environmental impact of a proposed highway project, for example). In other cases, government officials use them to gather information that will help them in making decisions or drafting legislation.
• A public hearing may be less formal - it may or may not be sponsored by a government body - and it doesn't require that both sides of an issue get time to speak. You may choose simply to have a panel of people discussing an issue, with or without a question-and-answer period.

Why conduct a public hearing?

There are a number of reasons why you may want to hold a public hearing; for example:.

• To open discussions about the issue and your advocacy campaign.
• To communicate and clarify needs.
• To communicate a sense of community concern about an issue.
• To increase community awareness about the issue
• To attract media attention
• To bring more of the public over to your way of thinking
• To recruit new members
• To show your side of controversial issues
• To re-open public dialogue on issues that have fallen out of the public mind
• To counter your opponents' arguments against your group or initiative
• To find a solution to a community problem or issue
• To gather information
• To take the pulse of the community

When do you conduct or testify at a public hearing?

How do you conduct or testify at a public hearing.

• Before the public hearing. Generally, you'll want about a month to plan something like this and get the word out, but if the date is being determined by another party you might not get that much time.
• Get on the agenda. When there's a hearing on your issue, no matter how inconveniently it's scheduled or how peripheral your group may be politically, you should do your best to make sure your stance is represented in the testimony. As you appear at every one of these things, the people in power get to recognize and then know you: if you have good things to say and are knowledgeable, they may even come to depend on you. Showing up is very important.
• If your organization or initiative hasn't already been asked to provide testimony at a public hearing, you should make sure you're on the agenda . Call whatever organization or institution is sponsoring the hearing - for example, if it's a municipal hearing, call City Hall - and then find out who you should talk to about being included in the testimony.
• Getting on the agenda may not be easy . If the hearing is time-limited, the folks conducting it have probably already chosen their presenters, and to get yourself included - or chosen in the first place - may be well-nigh impossible, or extremely political. You may have to know the right legislator or power-broker, or simply be known as someone who's a royal pain in the neck when you're left out.
• In that kind of situation, you still have some options: (a) see if your political friends can get you included; (b) see if the chosen spokesperson for your issue will include you or your point of view in his or her presentation; (c) talk to the media and anyone else who'll listen about your exclusion (keep in mind, though, that this one's a tough call, because it makes enemies).
• Establish goals for the hearing . First and foremost, you should know what you want to accomplish with this event. Knowing your goals will also help you choose the best possible people to testify.
• Of course, if it's a public hearing your main goal is probably to get your message across about whatever issue or problem is being discussed . This might mean convincing the city commission to vote in your favor on a public issue, or convincing the general public to vote a particular way in a referendum. You may decide that you have other goals, as well- for example, to attract new volunteers or increase local media coverage of your cause. You might also have the goal of increasing understanding between your side and the opposition.
• Whatever your goals may be, it's important to keep them in mind when planning your hearing because that will help you select the speakers who are best suited to your purposes and it will help you stay clear about why you're doing this throughout the process.

Example: Forming goals for a hearing Jose is the head of the coalition we mentioned earlier that is working to establish a one cent sales tax increase to raise funds for youth programs. The city commission has called for a public hearing on the matter, and a referendum will send the issue to the voters the next month. Jose and the other leaders of his coalition take this into consideration when forming their goals for the hearing. Here's what they come up with:   Goal 1: To show that there is a need for the proposed youth programs. Goal 2: To show that the sales tax is needed in order to fund them. Goal 3: To show that the sales tax won't be a burden on citizens.

Find people to testify and prepare them well.

You have to carefully pick the people who can best gear their testimony to your message, whether they're highly articulate experts in the field or program participants with compelling real-world experience of the issue. You'll want to find folks with whom you feel comfortable as representatives of your cause, because they're likely to be seen that way, even if they're not involved in your organization.

Example: Deciding what kind of people should testify   Keeping the goals in mind, Jose set out to choose people to testify. He came up with several possible testifiers:   Goal 1 : To show that there is a need for the proposed youth programs. Youth who can talk about how they need things to do to keep them from getting into trouble Experts who can show the benefits of youth programs, such as child psychologists, teachers, counselors Parents who are concerned about their kids not having positive things to do Goal 2: To show that the sales tax is needed in order to fund them. Representatives from various agencies and organizations that work with youth who can explain why they don't have enough funding to put together these kinds of programs themselves Goal 3 : To show that the sales tax won't be a burden on citizens. Local business people who feel the tax won't drive away customers Local financial experts who can point out that the town is in good shape economically and looks like it will stay that way for some time Someone from the Chamber of Commerce or another merchants' association

• Book a location and set a date and time for the event. Of course, if this is an official public hearing, your local government may determine this for you and you can skip this step. If it's up to you, however, it's important to choose a good time and an appropriate venue for the event.
• Make arrangements to ensure accessibility . Do you have a sign language interpreter for this event? Is the building accessible to people who use wheelchairs or other assistive equipment? If there are going to be any written materials handed out, will you have large-print or Braille copies available for people with visual impairments? In any publicity materials you send out (see step 6 below), be sure to mention any steps you've taken to make this event accessible.
• Choose a facilitator. This is another step that you might not have to worry about for a public hearing - if others are organizing the event, they will probably be facilitating it as well. However, if you are making all the arrangements, you will want to designate a facilitator . This person should not be one of the panelists and, if both sides of an issue or problem are being represented, he or she should be an impartial party not affiliated with either side. The facilitator's job is to introduce the speakers, guide the discussion, and make sure that all participants are heard.
• If any of the speakers are folks you don't know, get acquainted. Call them up a couple of days before the hearing and chat for a few minutes to get a feel for who they are. Doing this will help you find out any information you need for your introductions and help you remember who's who when the hearing takes place.
• Familiarize yourself with both sides of the issue. Talk to the leaders of both sides and know what their main points are and where they stand.
• Be fair, and don't be afraid to be assertive. If it's an especially heated hearing, you may have to step in to make sure both sides get a chance to be heard and you may have to break in if things degenerate into a shouting match.
• Keep time carefully, especially if the time for the hearing is limited. Make sure that people don't run over their allotted time, if that's an issue, and that both sides get approximately equal exposure. Let participants know how much time is left, or how much they have left as they get close to the end.
• If there are questions from the audience, you're the gatekeeper. Watch for overflowing hostility, questions that deal in personalities rather than issues, etc. Try to maintain a tone of respect for everyone

Example: Publicizing a public hearing   When the city informed Jose about the upcoming hearing, he only had about three weeks to get the word out. He sent out a press release the following day. He didn't have time to use many of the usual methods of getting the word out, but he did send a short "live copy" public service announcement about the hearing to local radio stations, got the city newspaper to allow him and the leader of the opposition to write point-counterpoint guest columns and made up fact sheets on his coalition's position to distribute to the audience at the hearing.

• Try to ensure a supportive audience . This is particularly important for a public hearing, because people will be paying attention to how many people show up for either side and your opposition is bound to have a lot of people there, too.

At the public hearing

The day of the hearing, you should not only be prepared - you should be incredibly over-prepared, especially if there are questions on the agenda. You need to know all your facts cold, understand the arguments for and counterarguments to your and your opponents' positions, and be able to answer any question with more than rhetoric. If you can appear relaxed, and have the answer to anything anyone brings up, you 're going to look good, which means your issue will look good.

• Start with a brief introduction . If this is a public hearing, this part may be handled by the city or whatever body is sponsoring the event. Whatever way it happens, it's important to take a few minutes at the beginning to give a brief description of the issue, the process that will be used to discuss the issue, and the goals of the discussion. If you're only having a few people testify, you might want to go ahead and introduce them at the beginning, but if you have many, it's probably best to introduce them (or let them introduce themselves) individually just before each one speaks.
• Allow each side to offer testimony . There are two ways you can go about this. You can either have each side take turns offering testimony , or you can have one side offer all of its testimony and then the other side take its turn. Setting a limit for how long each person can testify can help keep the hearing from becoming too lengthy, if you'd like to do that.
• Take thorough notes . This means not only taking notes on who testifies and what is said, but also getting a general idea of how many people attended, what prominent or influential people were present (getting some idea of where those folks stand on your issues is always important), and whether anyone from any relevant agencies or other groups that might be interested in your cause were there.

After the public hearing

• Offer support to testifiers, if necessary. If people are going to be testifying about something particularly difficult - for example, the hearing is over funding for a rape crisis center and you plan to have rape survivors speak out about their experiences - you should consider ways that you can offer support to them after their testimony if they need it. You may want to arrange for a professional counselor to be present to offer support to people after they testify. Contact a counselor - one that you know and trust or who is part of your organization or initiative, if possible - and see if he or she will volunteer to provide this service.
• Deal with the news media. Following a public hearing, your coalition or organization will most likely be approached by the news media for comment on how you think it went. This is your opportunity to put your "spin" on the hearing and present the results in a way that portrays your side of the issue or problem in the best possible light. You should probably focus on things your side said that made a lot of impact. It may seem negative if you only rebut statements your opponents made during the course of the hearing, but if they really seemed to make an impact you should be sure to address them.

Example: Talking to the media after a public hearing Shortly after the hearing ended, Jose was approached by a reporter from the local newspaper and asked for his thoughts on the evening's events. Here's what he told the reporter; note how Jose emphasized the points that were his coalition's goals:   "Well, I think it was really enlightening for people to hear from some of the kids about how bored they are here in our city and how that boredom can often translate into risky behaviors and criminal activities. And I think that having Dr. Cash from the university and Ms. Carey from the Chamber of Commerce explaining the finances of the proposal made it much clearer for everyone that this is a manageable proposal that won't hurt our economy or discourage business."

Get together with your staff and discuss the outcome .

Online Resources

Conducting Public Meetings and Public Hearings  is a guide put together specific to the state of New York, though much of the information is applicable to conducting public meetings in other states.

Governmental Accounting Standards Board  offers information on public hearings, including why public hearings are held and what occurs at public hearings.

How to Conduct a Public Hearing  is an article by Clifford Goodall that provides information on conducting public hearings.

Public hearings: When and how to hold them .   Meinig, B. (1998, August).

Public Hearings: When and How to Hold Them  is a detailed guide to holding a public hearing with tips, detailed information, and additional resources.

Print Resources

Bobo, K., Kendall, J., & Max, S.(1996) Organizing for social change: a manual for activists in the 1990s . Minneapolis, MN. Midwest Academy.

Heffron, J.  (1989, March-April). Building consensus in public hearings . Colorado Municipalities.

McKnight, C., Kelley, M., Pursley, P., Wolfe, M., Meister, E., Rasmussen, M., Bell, B., Shapiro, N., & Mathews, C. (1995). Out against the right: An organizing handbook . New York, NY: The Lesbian Avengers Civil Rights Organizing Project.

National Model Cities Community Development Directors Association.(1975). A guide to meeting citizen participation requirements for community development . Washington, DC.

Social Security

Hearings and appeals, what do i need to know about requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge.

You have the right to appeal any decision Social Security makes on your case about whether you are entitled to Social Security benefits or are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. If we determine that you no longer meet the requirements for Social Security or SSI or find that you received overpayments, you have the right to appeal that decision.

You should be aware that the hearing process may be lengthy, so it is critical to keep us informed of any changes in your contact information, such as your address or telephone number, throughout the hearings process. Consistent communication with the hearing office handling your case will make sure we can process your request for hearing as quickly as possible. You can keep track of your claim by opening a my Social Security Account.

We have changed some of our business processes due to COVID-19. For more information, please visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) Questions & Answers and click "Hearings and Appeals" on the left side of the screen.

When Can I Request a Hearing?

You have 60 days after you receive the previous determination or decision to request a hearing.

If you miss the deadline for requesting a hearing and do not have a good reason for missing the deadline, the ALJ may dismiss your appeal. Dismissal means that you may not be eligible for the next step in the appeal process and that you may also lose your right to any further review.

If you miss the deadline for requesting a hearing, you may tell us why you missed the deadline and ask us to extend it. We can answer any questions you have and help you file a written request to extend the deadline.

How Do I Request a Hearing?

You, or your representative if you have one, can request a hearing by filing a written request. You may do so by submitting your hearing request online , by downloading the forms you need and sending them to us by mail, or writing us a letter or asking us to assist you in completing your request by calling your local field office.

How Do I Check the Status of My Hearing Request?

Whether you applied online, by mail, or in an office, you can check the status of your hearing request using your personal my Social Security Account. A my Social Security account is an easy, convenient, and secure way to do business with us. If you don’t have one, you can create one today.

What Can I Expect After I Submit my Hearing Request?

After you submit your hearing request, the field office will send it to one of our hearing offices to begin the hearing process.

Once the hearing office receives your hearing request, staff will review it and contact you if there are any questions. We might request additional information or documents from you before we can schedule your hearing. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will send you information and a form about the option of appearing at a hearing by telephone or online video. Completing and returning the form to us as soon as possible, and and telling us whether you agree to appear by telephone or online video allows us to schedule your hearing sooner. If you do not agree to either telephone or online video hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic, your hearing will be delayed until we reopen our hearing offices to the public.

It is very important that you submit to us or inform us about all evidence that relates to your hearing request. If your hearing request is about whether you are disabled, you must submit to us or inform us about written evidence no later than five business days before the hearing date.

How do I submit my evidence to the hearing office?

You can send us documents by mail or fax machine. Sending documents to us via fax is secure and efficient. To submit documents via fax, simply use the toll-free fax number with area code “833” assigned to the hearing office handling your case. You can find the telephone and fax numbers for the hearing office handling your case at the top of each notice we send.

If you have an appointed representative, they may have different rules for submitting evidence for your hearing. You and your representative can learn more about how representatives should submit evidence by clicking here

Is there a difference in the process for hearing requests that are about a non-medical issue (such as an overpayment?)

The hearing process is very similar for all types of appeals.

If your request for hearing is about whether you are disabled, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will focus on your medical condition(s) and make a decision based on the evidence in your case file. The ALJ may also call witnesses to testify. For example, the ALJ may call a medical or vocational expert to testify.

During the non-medical hearing process, the ALJ will focus on the reason you requested a hearing and request evidence specifically related to that issue. Examples of non-medical hearing request reasons include eligibility for SSA benefits, or issues that may have caused an overpayment. Click here to learn more about SSI Overpayments

You can send us documents by mail, or by fax. Sending documents to us by fax is secure and efficient. To submit documents by fax, simply use the toll-free fax number with area code “833” assigned to the hearing office handling your case. You can find the telephone and fax numbers for the hearing office handling your case at the top of each notice we send.

If your request for hearing is about a non-medical issue, the ALJ will focus on the reason you requested a hearing and may request evidence specifically related to that issue. Examples of non-medical issues include eligibility for retirement benefits, or whether you received overpayments. Click here to learn more about SSI Overpayments .

The hearing process is very similar to the hearing process for for all types of apeals.

If your request for hearing is about a non-medical, the ALJ will focus on the reason you requested a hearing and may request evidence specifically related to that issue. Examples of non-medical issues include eligibility for retirements benefits, or whether you received overpayments. Click here to learn more about SSI Overpayments

How Will I Know When My Hearing Is Scheduled?

At least 75 days before your hearing, we will send you a notice telling you the date and time of your hearing. The notice will also tell you how you will appear at your hearing. If you do not need this much advance notice of your hearing, you can waive the 75-day advance notice requirement by completinge the form HA-510 (Waiver of Timely Written Notice of Hearing) and return it to the hearing office handling your case. Waiving the 75-day advance notice requirement may help us schedule your hearing faster, but if you waive the requirement, you must still inform us about or submit evidence to us as required by our rules. For hearing requests about whether you are disabled, that means that you must submit to us or inform us about written evidence no later than five business days before the hearing date.

You and your representative, if you have one, may look at the evidence in your case file and submit new evidence. If you are represented, your representative will determine how best to review your case file with you in advance of your hearing. If you do not have a representative, we will attempt to contact you before your hearing to determine the manner you would prefer to review your case file. We can share your case file with you electronically, which can be done through your personal my Social Security Account if you have one or by encrypted email if you do not have a my Social Security.

What Can I Do to Expedite My Hearing?

The hearing process has a number of steps, but there are key points in the process that can help you expedite your hearing:

• Return the forms requested in the Hearing Acknowledgement notice as soon as possible. For example, returning the forms we send you about the option of appearing at a hearing by telephone or online video as soon as possible allows us to schedule your hearing sooner.
• You can waive the requirement that we send you a notice of hearing at least 75 days before the hearing date by completing the HA-510 Waiver of Timely Written Notice of Hearing and returning this form the hearing office handling your case.
• NOTE: Waiving the 75-day advance notice requirement may help us schedule your hearing faster, but if you waive the requirement, you must still inform us about or submit evidence to us as required by our rules. For hearing requests about whether you are disabled, that means that you must submit to us or inform us about written evidence no later than five business days before the hearing date.

Should I Get a Representative?

You are not required to have a representative, but if you wish to appoint a representative we recommend you do so as early as possible. Your representative will want time to review your file and prepare for the hearing. To learn more about your right to representation, please refer to our Publication No. 05-10075.

If you do not have a representative, we will attempt to contact you before your hearing to ensure you are prepared for your hearing and understand the hearing process.

If you choose to appoint a representative, to help you when you do business with Social Security, we will work with your representative (whether an attorney or non-attorney) just as we have with you.

Some organizations can help you find a representative or give you free legal services, if you qualify. Some representatives do not charge a fee unless you receive benefits. Your local Social Security field office or hearing office has a list of organizations that can help you find a representative. You can contact your local field office by using the Field Office Locator and you can contact your local hearing office by using the Hearing Office Locator .

Is There Anything I Need to Know about Attending the Hearing?

When we schedule a hearing, it is very important that you attend the hearing. If for any reason you cannot attend, please contact the hearing office as soon as possible before the hearing and tell us why. We will also need you to tell us in writing why you cannot attend the hearing.

If you want us to change the time or place of your hearing, you must ask for this change before the earlier of two dates. The first date is 30 days after you receive your notice of hearing. The second date is 5 days before the date of your hearing. We assume you received your notice of hearing 5 days after the date on the notice unless you show us that you did not get it within the 5-day period. If you miss the deadline for requesting a change, the Administrative Law Judge will decide whether you have a good reason for missing the deadline.

When an individual has limited English proficiency, we will arrange for a qualified interpreter. We can provide an interpreter for you if needed, and it is always good to let us know in advance if you need an interpreter.

We presume that individuals with disabilities are capable of conducting business with SSA without an accommodation unless they request an accommodation. If you need an accommodation prior to your hearing, please contact the hearing office handling your case at the telephone number located at the top of your hearing notice.

If you are the parent or guardian of a child who is requesting a hearing, we may request the child attend the hearing. We will provide information about whether a child needs to participate in a hearing in the notice of hearing we send you.

Can I Waive My Right to Appear at my Hearing?

If you do not wish to appear before an Administrative Law Judge at an oral hearing, you must let us know in writing that you would like to waive your right to appear at the hearing. You may complete and send form HA-4608 Waiver of Your Right to Personal Appearance Before an Administrative Law Judge along with any new evidence you may have.

Please note the Administrative Law Judge may decide that your presence at the hearing is necessary, especially if only you can best explain certain facts. If so, Administrative Law Judge may schedule a hearing even if you waived your right to appear.

What Happens at a Hearing?

During the hearing, the Administrative Law Judge explains the issues in your case and may question you and any witnesses you bring to the hearing. He or she may ask other witnesses to attend the hearing. For example, during a hearing about whether a person is disabled, the Administrative Law Judge may ask, a medical expert or vocational expert to testify. You and the witnesses answer questions under oath or affirmation. The hearing is informal, but we will make an audio recording of the hearing. You and your representative, if you have one, may question any witnesses who may be present at the hearing.

What Happens After My Hearing?

After the hearing, the Administrative Law Judge issues a written decision based on all the evidence. The hearing office then mails a copy of the decision to you and your representative, if you have one.

If you disagree with the decision of the Administrative Law Judge, you may file a request for review with the Appeals Council .

What do I do if I miss my Hearing?

If you missed your hearing time, please call the hearing office right away at the phone number listed on your Notice of Hearing. If you do not have your Notice of Hearing, you can find your local hearing office phone number by visiting our Hearing Office Locator.

Depending on the circumstances, we may mail you a notice (called a "Request to Show Cause for Failure to Appear"). The notice explains that we will provide 10 days from the date on the request (plus 5 days for mail) for you to respond before we will issue a dismissal,

The Concept of “Hearing” Assignment Essay

The “Hearing” assignment calls for an in-depth exploration of the processes occurring in the auditory nerve as well as the role that senses play in observing the external environment. Without hearing, the world around a person may change in terms of perception and sense adaptation. As hearing refers to the ability of a human being to perceive sounds by detecting vibrations and changes in pressure, limiting the ability for a short period of time will enhance the role of other abilities as well as show what it means to lose one’s hearing and rely on other vehicles of perception.

The process of hearing occurs when the sound enters the outer ear and moves through the ear canal to the middle ear, where the bones amplify the vibrations of sounds, and once the vibrations cause the cochlea fluid to ripple, a wave that travels through the ear develops along the basilar membrane (Allen & Harper, 2016). Then, the auditory nerve transports the electrical signal to the brain, which transforms the signal into a sound that can be recognized and understood.

During the assignment, the hearing was reduced through wearing noise-canceling headphones, which meant that everyday activities, such as watching TV and talking to a relative, were limited. The senses of touch, sight, and smell were augmented when the hearing was eliminated. For example, instead of asking my mother about what was for dinner, I relied on the sense of smell to distinguish any familiar smells associated with dishes.

When interacting with another person and their words could not be heard, more attention was paid to gestures and facial expressions, including the way in which the person talked. This information is usually ignored when hearing is involved as more attention is paid to sound.

Both sensory adaptation and habituation refer to neurochemical changes occurring in the nervous system. Overall, habituation is somewhat concerned with the brain actively filtering out irrelevant stimuli and information in order to focus on what matters. Sensory adaptation, on the other hand, is relatively passive and occurs as a response to sensory neurons’ excitation. Thus, while sensory adaptation is associative learning, habituation works in the opposite way.

For example, during the activity, sensory adaptation occurred when the brain no longer paid attention to the loss of hearing, which meant that some sounds were imagined. When pouring water into a glass, the sound of the water was imagined as if it could be heard, which led to the increased sensory adaptation. When speaking to another person, their voice was imagined because it was heard previously and could be loosely replicated in the brain.

If one of the senses is permanently lost, the perception of the world changes. In deafness, there could be a range of new deficits that have not been present prior to the loss or hearing (Houde, Landry, Page, Maheu, & Champoux, 2016).

Spacial and temporal sensitivity may increase along with the reaction time. While no changes in such body perceptions as object identification occur, it is expected that a person with lost hearing would have a lower capacity of reacting to the external environment, especially in terms of emergency situations. To maintain similar levels of reactiveness, a person would have to be more attentive in the visual perception to distinguish between the reactions of other people.

Allen, & Harper. (2016). Laboratory manual for anatomy and physiology (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Houde, M. S., Landry, S. P., Pagé, S., Maheu, M., & Champoux, F. (2016). Body perception and action following deafness. Neural Plasticity, 2016 , 5260671.

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Bibliography

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Screening and Diagnosis of Hearing Loss

Hearing Screening

Hearing screening is a test to tell if people might have hearing loss. Hearing screening is easy and not painful. In fact, babies are often asleep while being screened. It takes a very short time — usually only a few minutes.

CDC Report: Infants with Congenital Disorders Identified Through Newborn Screening — United States, 2015–2017

• All babies should be screened for hearing loss no later than 1 month of age . It is best if they are screened before leaving the hospital after birth.
• If a baby does not pass a hearing screening, it’s very important to get a full hearing test as soon as possible, but no later than 3 months of age .

Older Babies and Children

• If you think a child might have hearing loss, ask the doctor for a hearing test as soon as possible.
• Children who are at risk for acquired, progressive, or delayed-onset hearing loss should have at least one hearing test by 2 to 2 1/2 years of age. Hearing loss that gets worse over time is known as progressive hearing loss. Hearing loss that develops after the baby is born is called delayed-onset or acquired hearing loss. Find out if a child may be at risk for hearing loss .
• If a child does not pass a hearing screening, it’s very important to get a full hearing test as soon as possible.

Full Hearing Test

All children who do not pass a hearing screening should have a full hearing test. This test is also called an audiology evaluation. An audiologist, who is an expert trained to test hearing, will do the full hearing test. In addition, the audiologist will also ask questions about birth history, ear infection and hearing loss in the family.

There are many kinds of tests an audiologist can do to find out if a person has a hearing loss, how much of a hearing loss there is, and what type it is. The hearing tests are easy and not painful.

Some of the tests the audiologist might use include:

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test or Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) Test

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) or Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) is a test that checks the brain’s response to sound. Because this test does not rely on a person’s response behavior, the person being tested can be sound asleep during the test.

ABR focuses only on the function of the inner ear, the acoustic (hearing) nerve, and part of the brain pathways that are associated with hearing. For this test, electrodes are placed on the person’s head (similar to electrodes placed around the heart when an electrocardiogram (EKG) is done), and brain wave activity in response to sound is recorded.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) is a test that checks the inner ear response to sound. Because this test does not rely on a person’s response behavior, the person being tested can be sound asleep during the test.

Behavioral Audiometry Evaluation

Behavioral Audiometry Evaluation will test how a person responds to sound overall. Behavioral Audiometry Evaluation tests the function of all parts of the ear. The person being tested must be awake and actively respond to sounds heard during the test.

Infants and toddlers are observed for changes in their behavior such as sucking a pacifier, quieting, or searching for the sound. They are rewarded for the correct response by getting to watch an animated toy (this is called visual reinforcement audiometry). Sometimes older children are given a more play-like activity (this is called conditioned play audiometry).

With the parents’ permission, the audiologist will share the results with the child’s primary care doctor and other experts, such as:

• An ear, nose and throat doctor, also called an otolaryngologist
• An eye doctor, also called an ophthalmologist
• A professional trained in genetics, also called a clinical geneticist or a genetics counselor

For more information about hearing tests, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website .

• If a parent or anyone else who knows a child well thinks the child might have hearing loss, ask the doctor for a hearing screening as soon as possible. Don’t wait!
• If the child does not pass a hearing screening, ask the doctor for a full hearing test .
• If the child is diagnosed with a hearing loss, talk to the doctor or audiologist about treatment and intervention services .

Hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop communication, language, and social skills. The earlier children with hearing loss start getting services, the more likely they are to reach their full potential. If you are a parent and you suspect your child has hearing loss, trust your instincts and speak with your doctor.

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