Military hearing damage: Your questions answered by a specialist lawyer

Many people who have served in the UK Armed Forces don’t realise they could claim compensation for hearing damage caused by noise exposure. Paul Woodford, who has helped thousands of people secure compensation for hearing loss, answers some of the most common questions about who can claim, how it works, and what to expect.

Who can claim for military hearing loss?

Anyone who served in the Army, Navy, RAF, or any branch of the armed forces, after 15 May 1987 could have a valid claim; since that date, personnel have had the right to seek compensation for hearing damage caused by military service.

If you served both before and after May 1987, you may still be able to claim for the portion of your service after that date.

15 May 1987 is the date that the Government paused ‘Crown Immunity’ and opened the door for service personnel to be able to bring claims for their time in service.

What are the signs of hearing loss or tinnitus?

People sometimes describe struggling to hear when there’s background noise, having to turn the TV up, use a phone on the speaker function, or missing parts of conversations. Tinnitus sufferers often describe a ringing or buzzing sound which may come and go or may be constant. If any of this sounds familiar, you should get in touch with us as you might be able to make a claim.

What kinds of noise exposure cause hearing damage?

In the Armed Forces there is a wide variety of noise sources. Hearing damage can be caused by weapons firing (including during training or annual firearms accreditation), aircraft or other vehicle noise, tanks, engine rooms, or battle simulation exercises. Many people are exposed to noise without proper hearing protection, especially during live or blank fire exercises.

How do I know if it’s worth making a claim?

The only way to really know is to get a proper hearing test, and that’s something we arrange for our clients. If the test shows no noise damage, there’s no cost to you. It’s completely no win, no fee.

How long does a claim take?

It can take many months to get records from the MOD – sometimes over a year – so it’s not quick. But we manage the entire process and keep people updated throughout.

You can find out more about military hearing loss claims here. And if you have any questions, or would like to discuss a potential claim, you can contact Paul Woodford here.