Filing for Workplace Short Term Disability (Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, Dysacusis) in the US

Has anyone had any experience with this? I work for a large bank and they’ve told me I need a doctor to support my claim. My ENT knows I have severe tinnitus/hyperacusis/dysacusis, as diagnosed by him, but when I brought this up in his office he seemed to dance around the subject and I did it late in the appointment so got no closure. In the same breath he suggested I speak with my neurologist about the hyperacusis symptoms and hearing distortion, saying it had migrated from my peripheral to central nervous system.

My workplace, a large investment bank, has said I can get 85% pay for up to 6 months, but the third party insurance provider was a bit cagey when I asked them what I needed to provide - they simply said I should give them my doctor’s contact info.

Hence I don’t have a well coordinated claim, and I have no idea what pitfalls I should be looking out for or what other factors are in play. Has anyone in the US done this?

I have no doubt I need time off - I’m barely sleeping, barely eating, and can’t produce a decent work product. I just want to try my best to recover.

 

Sounds like he was trying to pass the buck to another specialist in regard the disability claim.

 

That’s my sense as well, but I’m out of vacation days and my neurologist appointment is in two week. This smacks of more ENTs marginalizing tinnitus patients - can’t solve my medical issue or even be bothered to help me take advantage of the resources I do have.

 

For the record I had a neurologist do it for me. I was out for 3 months. I am marginally better now, but just wanted to say it is possible.