Military Claims · Hearing Loss in the Military
Hearing Loss in the Military — Is This You?
A Starting Point for Serving Personnel and Veterans with Armed Forces Hearing Loss
Part of our wider Military Claims services
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Confidential advice for serving personnel and veterans across England and Wales.
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We handle military injury claims under a Conditional Fee Agreement — meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, a success fee (capped at 25% of your damages) is deducted from your compensation. You will never be out of pocket.
Judicial College Guidelines
Typical Damages for Military Injuries
The figures below are general damages guidelines from the Judicial College Guidelines (18th Edition) — the reference used by courts and insurers across England and Wales to value injury claims. They cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity only.
In military injury cases, the total value of a claim is often substantially higher once special damages are included — past and future care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, specialist equipment and home adaptations. Civil claims against the MOD can result in higher awards than AFCS tariff payments.
Every case is different. Jonathan Cloudsdale will give you a realistic, honest assessment of what your specific claim may be worth — at no cost and with no obligation.
Hearing Loss & Tinnitus (Military)
Total deafness and loss of speech
£144,860 – £185,840
Deafness at an early age preventing or seriously affecting development of normal speech
Total deafness (both ears)
£119,890 – £144,860
Lower end where no speech deficit or tinnitus; higher end where both are present
Total loss of hearing in one ear
£41,370 – £60,160
Towards higher end where associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches
Severe tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
£39,250 – £60,160
Severe tinnitus combined with significant NIHL
Moderate tinnitus and NIHL, or moderate to severe tinnitus or NIHL alone
£19,680 – £39,250
Moderate tinnitus with moderate NIHL, or either condition at moderate to severe level
Mild tinnitus with some NIHL
£16,640 – £19,680
Mild tinnitus combined with some noise-induced hearing loss
Mild tinnitus alone or mild NIHL alone
Around £15,480
Either condition in isolation at mild level
Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight NIHL
£9,720 – £16,640
Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight noise-induced hearing loss
Slight NIHL without tinnitus or slight tinnitus without NIHL
Up to £9,260
Either condition in isolation at slight level
Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (5 years)
Around £6,610
E.g. period until surgical cure for conductive hearing loss, or acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss
Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (15 years)
Around £12,820
Longer acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss
| Injury Type | Guideline Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total deafness and loss of speech | £144,860 – £185,840 | Deafness at an early age preventing or seriously affecting development of normal speech |
| Total deafness (both ears) | £119,890 – £144,860 | Lower end where no speech deficit or tinnitus; higher end where both are present |
| Total loss of hearing in one ear | £41,370 – £60,160 | Towards higher end where associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches |
| Severe tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) | £39,250 – £60,160 | Severe tinnitus combined with significant NIHL |
| Moderate tinnitus and NIHL, or moderate to severe tinnitus or NIHL alone | £19,680 – £39,250 | Moderate tinnitus with moderate NIHL, or either condition at moderate to severe level |
| Mild tinnitus with some NIHL | £16,640 – £19,680 | Mild tinnitus combined with some noise-induced hearing loss |
| Mild tinnitus alone or mild NIHL alone | Around £15,480 | Either condition in isolation at mild level |
| Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight NIHL | £9,720 – £16,640 | Slight or occasional tinnitus with slight noise-induced hearing loss |
| Slight NIHL without tinnitus or slight tinnitus without NIHL | Up to £9,260 | Either condition in isolation at slight level |
| Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (5 years) | Around £6,610 | E.g. period until surgical cure for conductive hearing loss, or acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss |
| Acceleration of, or time-limited need for, hearing aids (15 years) | Around £12,820 | Longer acceleration period for sensorineural hearing loss |
These are guidelines only
Compensation figures are general damages guidelines only. Your actual award will depend on the specific facts of your case, the severity of your injury, its impact on your life and employment, and the claim route taken. Civil claims against the MOD can result in higher awards than AFCS tariff payments. Special damages (care costs, loss of earnings, rehabilitation) are calculated separately and can significantly increase the total value of your claim. Speak to Jonathan Cloudsdale for a free, no-obligation assessment of your specific circumstances.
Hearing loss in the military is one of the most common service-related conditions affecting UK Armed Forces personnel. Prolonged exposure to loud noise — from weapons, vehicles, aircraft and training exercises — can cause lasting hearing damage that may not become fully apparent until years after service. Armed forces hearing loss affects veterans from all branches: Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Reserves.
This page is designed to help you understand whether your symptoms might be connected to your service — and whether you may have options for an armed forces hearing loss claim. It is not a legal assessment. If you want to understand your specific position, speak to us.
Common Symptoms of Hearing Loss in the Military
- Ringing, buzzing or hissing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty following conversations, especially in noisy environments
- Needing to turn up the TV or phone volume
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Gradual or sudden hearing loss in one or both ears
- Sensitivity to loud sounds
These symptoms of military hearing loss can develop gradually over time. Many people do not connect them to their service until years later.
Common Causes of Armed Forces Hearing Loss
Hearing damage in the Armed Forces is most commonly associated with:
- Firearms and weapons fire
- Armoured vehicles and heavy machinery
- Aircraft and helicopter noise
- Explosions and blast exposure
- Training exercises involving loud noise
What If My Military Hearing Loss Started After I Left the Forces?
This is very common. Hearing damage caused during service often continues to worsen after discharge, and tinnitus may not become noticeable until the background noise of service life is removed. Army hearing loss and other armed forces hearing loss conditions frequently emerge or worsen post-discharge.
You do not need to be currently serving to make an armed forces hearing loss claim. Veterans regularly bring successful military hearing claims for hearing loss and tinnitus that developed or worsened after leaving the Forces.
Is This Page for You?
This page is specifically for people with hearing loss in the military context:
- Current serving members of the UK Armed Forces
- Reservists (Army Reserve, Royal Naval Reserve, RAF Reserve)
- Veterans who have left the Forces with army hearing loss or other armed forces hearing loss
If your hearing loss is not connected to military service, we may still be able to help — please contact us to discuss your circumstances.
What Are Your Next Steps for an Armed Forces Hearing Loss Claim?
Read the Full Military Hearing Loss Claims Page
Detailed information about claim routes, eligibility and the process for armed forces hearing loss claims.
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No obligation. We'll explain your options for a military hearing claim clearly before any work begins.
Start a conversationYour Specialist Solicitor
Jonathan Cloudsdale
Head of Military Claims & Personal Injury
Over 10 years' specialist experience in complex military claims, personal injury, industrial disease and catastrophic injuries. Multiple six-figure settlements achieved.
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