Table 12.2 - Communication Disorders - Comprehension

Table 12.2 - Communication Disorders - Comprehension

Table 12.2 of the Approved Guide is in the following form:

% WMI	CRITERIA HEARING	CRITERIA READING
5	Understands speech in most situations, BUT has difficulties in groups or when fatigued	Reads books and magazine articles, BUT does not understand details
10	Understands speech in one to one situations, BUT cannot cope in group situations	Can get the gist of simple articles, for example newspapers, but has great difficulty with details
20		Restricted to simple sentences
25	Understands simple sentences although repetition is sometimes needed
30		Able to read single words only
35		Unable to read at all
40	Able to understand single words only
50	Unable to understand any language

Note that this Table should not be used to assess problems whose origins are genetic, social or educational. Its use is confined to the assessment of the consequences of neurological injury or disease.

Hearing impairment must be distinguished from neurological impairment

Loss of neurological function under Table 12.2 (ie. loss of the capacity to comprehend spoken language) must be distinguished from hearing impairment under Table 7.1. The latter concerns the ability to receive auditory signals while the former concerns the ability to interpret such signals. A Note at the end of Table 12.2 explains this distinction:

Note:Hearing refers to the ability to comprehend spoken language ie. with the ability to interpret auditory signals not to receive such signals. It does not refer to hearing impairment which is assessed using Table 7.1.

See also the separate discussion of hearing loss.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/military-compensation-reference-library/historical-information/defcare-commentary-january-2003/permanent-impairment-calculator/fact-p264-neurological-function-table-12/table-122-communication-disorders-comprehension