Serving in the British Armed Forces comes with many challenges, including frequent exposure to dangerously high noise levels. Whether it’s gunfire, explosions, aircraft engines, military vehicles or even playing in military bands, service personnel are regularly exposed to loud environments that can lead to lasting hearing damage.
Many veterans and serving members suffer from tinnitus (ringing or persistent noises in the ears) or hearing loss due to that exposure. These conditions can seriously affect careers, daily life, and long-term wellbeing.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a legal duty to protect service members from noise-induced hearing damage. If you weren’t given adequate hearing protection, or weren’t properly safeguarded from loud noise, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
What causes military hearing loss and tinnitus?
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus can be caused by a wide range of factors. But in military environments, service men and women can be exposed to some of the loudest noises possible, including:
- Gunfire and artillery blasts: Exposure to gunfire and explosions, which can exceed 159 decibels, can cause immediate and irreversible hearing damage.
- Explosions (IEDs, mortars, grenades): Sudden blasts can result in permanent hearing loss or even complete deafness in one or both ears.
- Aircraft noise: Jet engines can reach over 140 decibels, putting pilots, ground crews, and nearby personnel at serious risk of hearing damage.
- Military vehicles: Tanks, armoured personnel carriers, naval vessels, and various other military vehicles can generate prolonged loud noise exposure that can gradually damage hearing over time.
- Military bands: Surprisingly, even musicians can be at risk. Brass bands can produce sound levels exceeding 150 decibels, often leading to hearing issues for long-serving players.
How noise exposure leads to tinnitus and hearing loss
Hearing damage in the armed forces can happen gradually over time or in an instant, depending on the type and intensity of the noise. Most military deafness claims relate to:
- Tinnitus: Ongoing exposure to loud noise can damage the tiny hair cells in the inner ear (the cochlea) that respond to sound vibrations. When these cells are damaged, it can lead to tinnitus, a chronic condition where you hear phantom sounds like ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring.
- Gradual hearing loss: Repeated exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels can cause long-term nerve damage, leading to a slow and progressive loss of hearing.
- Sudden deafness: A single, intense blast or gunshot near the ear can cause immediate and permanent hearing damage, sometimes leaving individuals completely deaf in one or both ears.
Who can make a military hearing loss claim?
If you’ve suffered hearing loss or have developed tinnitus as a result of noise exposure during your military service, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation. Those who can make a claim include:
- Anyone who served in the British Army, RAF, Royal Navy, or Reserve Forces.
- Veterans and active personnel with hearing loss or tinnitus that’s linked to their time in service.
- Individuals diagnosed within the last three years, or those who have only recently made the connection between their condition and military noise exposure
You can still make a claim even if you’ve left the military. Veterans’ hearing loss claims are common.
If you are unsure whether you qualify to make an Armed Forces hearing damage or tinnitus compensation claim, please get in touch with us and one of our legal team can help to clarify your eligibility.
How much compensation can I claim for military tinnitus or hearing loss?
The amount of compensation you’ll be able to claim for military tinnitus or military deafness will depend upon the severity of your condition and how badly it impacts your life. Typically, personal injury compensation claims include both general and special damages:
General damages (pain & suffering)
General damages compensate you for the physical and emotional suffering caused by hearing loss or tinnitus, including:
- The distress and discomfort of constant ringing in the ears.
- The frustration of hearing impairment in daily life.
- The loss of enjoyment of music, conversations, and environmental sounds.
Special damages (financial losses)
These compensate for the financial impact of your hearing damage, including:
- The loss of your career: If hearing damage forced you to leave the military early, you could claim compensation for lost earnings and pension entitlements.
- Future job restrictions: Many civilian jobs require good hearing. If your hearing loss or tinnitus affects your employability, you may be entitled to future loss of earnings compensation.
- Hearing aids and treatment costs: You can claim for medical expenses related to your condition, including the cost of hearing aids, specialist appointments, and ongoing treatment.
To get a general idea of what your claim could be worth, try our compensation calculator. For a more accurate estimate, speak to our legal team. We’ll assess your case and explain your options in detail.
How to claim compensation for military hearing loss
Approaching your claim in the right way can significantly increase your chances of success. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Get a medical diagnosis
A sensible first step in making an armed forces hearing damage claim is to get a formal diagnosis of tinnitus or noise-induced hearing loss from a medical professional. First, visit your GP and they can refer you to a specialist for further assessment, such as:
- Audiologist: A hearing specialist who can conduct tests to measure the extent of your hearing loss.
- Otorhinolaryngologist: A doctor specialising in ear, nose, and throat issues who can provide a full diagnosis and detailed medical report.
Step 2: Gather evidence
To support your compensation claim, you’ll need to provide evidence that your hearing was damaged/your tinnitus was caused during your military service. Evidence that can help show this includes:
- Service records: To indicate your role and to demonstrate your exposure to high-noise environments during your military service.
- Incident and medical reports: Ask for any documentation surrounding any incidents that may have affected your hearing and relating to any medical examinations you may have had whilst serving.
- Witness statements: Ask for written witness statements from fellow service members who can confirm the noise levels you were exposed to or any particular incidents that contributed to your hearing loss/tinnitus.
Step 3: Contact a specialist solicitor
Working with a solicitor that specialises in military hearing loss claims and military tinnitus claims ensures you receive the legal advice and representation needed to maximise your chances of success. At Injury Lawyers 4u we offer:
- Decades of experience in making successful workplace accident claims.
- Expertise in military accident and MOD negligence cases.
- A no-win, no-fee promise, meaning you’ll only pay if your claim is successful.
Can I claim if I’ve already applied for AFCS or a War Pension?
Yes, you can still pursue a civil claim (a compensation claim made privately) even if you have already applied for the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) or a War Pension. In fact, it’s often worth doing both. Here’s why:
- AFCS payments are often lower: AFCS payouts may be lower than a civil claim. MOD compensation for hearing loss may not reflect the full extent of your suffering and financial damages.
- Rejected AFCS claims can still succeed: Even if your AFCS claim was denied, you may still have grounds for a successful civil case.
Time Limits – how long do I have to make a claim?
Military hearing loss and tinnitus claims usually need to be made within:
- Three years from diagnosis: In most cases, you’ll have to make a claim within three years of receiving a medical diagnosis of tinnitus or hearing loss.
- Three years from awareness: If you later realised your tinnitus or hearing loss was linked to your military service, the three-year limit may start from that date you found out.
- Exceptions for veterans: If you were discharged over three years ago, exceptions may apply, so it is essential to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
How Injury Lawyers 4u can help you claim
If you’re looking to make a military hearing loss or tinnitus claim, we’re here to help. Our legal team has supported thousands of service members and veterans in securing the compensation they deserve – and we’ll bring that same expertise and commitment to your case.
We’ll guide you through every step of the process, explaining your options clearly and handling the legal side so you can focus on your health and wellbeing. And with our no-win, no-fee promise, there’s no financial risk in starting your claim.
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us on 0333 400 4445, or fill in a contact form and we’ll get back to you quickly.