Military Hearing Loss Claims
If you served since May 1987, join the thousands of veterans we've helped claim for hearing loss.
Contact our team of veterans today
Assisting Serving and Veteran Military Personnel with NIHL and Tinnitus Claims
It is estimated there are a minimum of 300,000 ex-service people who are suffering from hearing loss in the UK. Are you one of them?
We are a group of United Kingdom Armed Forces veterans who assist fellow service personnel in claiming compensation for noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus injuries where adequate hearing protection was not provided by the Armed Forces.
The legal firms we recommend are happy to deal with claims under a Conditional Fee Agreement, commonly referred to as a No-Win, No-Fee Agreement. No-Win No-Fee means that you only pay legal fees at a pre-agreed rate from your compensation if your claim is successful.
If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be liable for a penny.
Chris’s Story
Discover how successfully claiming for NIHL has positively impacted Chris’s daily life.
Veterans Supporting Veterans
Veterans for Veterans is a team of United Kingdom Armed Forces veterans supporting you to get the compensation you deserve. for your hearing loss. When enquiring with us, one of our team of veterans will assist you, giving you piece of mind that you are speaking to someone who can relate to your experiences in the military.
Supported by military lawyers, we’re a formidable force, fighting for your justice.
Why is 1987 Important?
Until 1987, the Ministry of Defence was protected by Crown Immunity, preventing it from being held accountable for injuries sustained by service personnel before that year. Because of this, while we are able to assist service members who served after 1987, we cannot assist those who left prior to that date.
For more details, please see our FAQs section below.
What is Military NIHL?
Understanding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
NIHL typically affects the inner ear, resulting in a range of symptoms including:
- Tinnitus: A persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears.
- Difficulty Understanding Speech: Struggling to comprehend conversations, especially in noisy environments.
- Muffled Hearing: Sounds may seem muted or less clear.
- Sound Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to certain noises, which can be uncomfortable or painful.
If left unaddressed, NIHL can lead to permanent hearing loss. This not only hampers communication but can also significantly affect the ability to perform duties that require acute auditory capabilities. In severe cases, it may result in medical discharge from the service.
Taking Action
Addressing symptoms of NIHL as soon as they are noticed is crucial. Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent further hearing deterioration.
If you suspect you have NIHL, consult your GP as soon as possible. In the meantime, contact our team of veterans so we can explore your options for compensation to support your treatment and recovery.
NIHL in the UK Military
Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common injuries sustained during training exercises by members of the Armed Forces. A significant contributing factor is the provision of sub-standard hearing protection.
This issue is preventable, given the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) duty of care to protect service members. The MOD’s responsibilities include:
- Limiting unnecessary exposure to loud noises
- Providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for hearing during exercises
- Conducting risk assessments for planned exercises to ensure minimal unnecessary noise exposure
- Routinely monitoring and enforcing the use of PPE and adherence to safety regulations
- Addressing and investigating complaints related to hearing protection and noise exposure
If the MOD has neglected these responsibilities, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries.
Why Choose VFV
With decades of military experience, our veteran team understands many of the challenges you’ve faced. We know the right questions to ask to gather the essential information to identify and support your claim.
Additionally, we’ve partnered with the most experienced No-win, No-fee military lawyers in the UK to ensure your claim has the best chance of success.
Are You Eligible to Claim?
If the following applies to you and your military service, we could help you claim compensation for your injuries.
You must have:
- Served in the United Kingdom Armed Forces
- Been discharged after 1987
- Suffered hearing loss or developed tinnitus
Please be aware that you can only file a civil claim through one firm. If you already have an active claim with another law firm, please continue your claim with them.
However, you are welcome to reach out to us even if you have a claim or are currently pursuing one through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
How Common is Military NIHL?
Hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure from military service is a significant issue affecting tens of thousands of people.
- Veterans are 3.5 more likely to experience hearing difficulties than civilians
- Studies show that over 14% of personnel returning from overseas deployment suffered from hearing loss
- It is estimated there are over 300,000 military veterans suffering from NIHL
Proudly Supporting the Armed Forces Covenant
Acknowledging and appreciating the significant contributions that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families make to our business and our country.
What about the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme?
While the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a valuable resource for military personnel and offers one-time payments, it often falls short of covering the full extent of your losses.
If you have already made a claim through the AFCS, you can still pursue a civil claim for your hearing loss through our expert panel of lawyers, even if your AFCS claim was rejected. Your veteran client liaison will help you through the process.
The Claiming Process
Our expert team will be with you every step of the way.
Complete our online form and one of our experienced veterans will call you back to discuss the details of your claim.
Claim verification
Our team will discuss your claim with you to ensure our legal partners can represent you. This is a quick and easy process. We will then recommend one of our preferred legal firms who you will be free to instruct to pursue your legal claim.
Complete a medical examination
Your legal representatives will investigate your claim and gather evidence to verify your injuries. This will include calling for your employment and medical records and you attending a medical examination to support your hearing loss claim.
There is no need to worry about the medical examination; this process is quick and typically takes less than an hour and your legal representatives will endeavour to arrange a medical examination close to your location.
Your legal representatives will draft and send a letter of claim to the responsible party, detailing your claim and explaining why they are at fault for your injuries.
Your legal representatives will prepare a detailed statement of your injuries and the losses you have incurred due to the negligence of the responsible party.
All evidence will be presented to the responsible party, inviting them to propose a settlement figure. Your legal team will keep you informed throughout the process. If you are not satisfied with the proposed settlement, and if your legal team advise that you are entitled to more, they will initiate court proceedings on your behalf.
Our Team
Our team of military veterans is here to discuss your claim eligibility quickly and efficiently.
Proudly Supporting
Acknowledging and appreciating the significant contributions that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families make to our business and our country.
Support Our Mission
Our goal is to assist as many military veterans as we can.
If you know other service members who could benefit from talking to us, please inform your Veteran Client Liaison.
Frequently asked questions
If you have a question we’ve not covered below, give our team a call – they’ll be happy to help you.
1. Who are Veterans for Veterans?
We are a collective of British Armed Forces veterans who share a common journey of service and sacrifice. Over time, we’ve observed the challenges and complexities veterans face in navigating the compensation process for injuries sustained during their service. Frustrated by the lack of clarity and support, we’ve banded together to offer guidance and assistance.
Our mission is twofold: to support fellow veterans in their pursuit of rightful compensation and to collaborate with law firms to streamline their practices for veteran clients. Through our experience and expertise, we provide invaluable insights to law firms, ensuring that their processes are not only comprehensible but also tailored to the unique needs of veterans.
We are selective in our partnerships, choosing to collaborate only with firms that demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving their services for veterans.
2. Will claiming affect my employment status or my future military career?
Your claim remains confidential, safeguarding your privacy unless you opt for public disclosure. If you’re currently employed, it would be unlawful for your employer to penalise you for pursuing a claim against your employer. However, it’s important to note that in certain cases, such as when court proceedings are initiated, your claim might become public knowledge.
3. Will claiming affect my ability to get a job in the future?
If you possess the physical capability to fulfil the requirements of the job, pursuing a claim shouldn’t impede your prospects for future employment.
4. Will the law firm be able to access all my HMRC records or report to HMRC?
The law firm will request your authorisation to obtain your employment records from HMRC. This step is solely intended to verify your work history, ensuring alignment with the dates provided in your claim.
5. I have claimed a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Payments. Can I still make a claim?
Indeed, irrespective of previous outcomes regarding War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Payments, you are still eligible to pursue this civil claim.
6. I no longer live in the UK. Can I claim?
Your case will be evaluated individually based on its specific merits and the availability of a local audiology test. If your case is strong and there are no issues in scheduling a test in your area, your legal representatives will arrange a test for you.
7. I was medically discharged; can I claim hearing loss if discharged for a different injury?
Every case is unique, and while a medical discharge shouldn’t hinder your ability to claim, the circumstances surrounding your discharge could impact the duration or amount of your claim. If you wish to explore the possibility of a claim, despite a medical discharge, start your claim today and one of our preferred law firms can provide you with advice on your specific circumstances.
8. Will anybody know I have made a claim?
Apart from your legal representatives and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), your claim remains confidential. However, it’s important to acknowledge that court proceedings might become public if pursued.
9. Part of my service was prior to 1987. Will that be included?
In order to pursue a claim for Hearing Loss, it is necessary that there was at least some period of your service that occurred after 1987. For instance, if you enlisted in 1986 and concluded your service in 1995, more than half of your service tenure would fall after 1987. In these circumstances, you could pursue a claim for your period of exposure from 1987 to 1995.
10. What is Crown Immunity, and can it be challenged?
Crown Immunity protects the Ministry of Defence from liability for injuries sustained by servicemen and women before 1987. However, the case of Smith v Ministry of Defence altered the situation regarding combat immunity. The court ruled that the MoD does not have an automatic defence against claims for injuries sustained in combat, contrary to their previous stance, allowing claims to be brought on behalf of those injured in such circumstances, if those injuries occurred after 1987.
11. How much compensation could I receive for a military hearing loss claim?
We cannot assure you of any specific entitlement amount. Nevertheless, historically, numerous cases have resulted in settlements exceeding £10,000, with some considerably higher. The final settlement largely hinges on the unique circumstances of each individual case, as no two cases are identical.
12. How long do I have to make a claim?
It is important to submit your enquiry with us as soon as you become aware of your eligibility to claim, as the deadline for lodging a claim is set for 30th January 2026.
13. Will I need to go to Court?
If your case advances to litigation, there may be a requirement for a court appearance. In such instances, your legal representative will accompany you every step of the way. There’s no need for apprehension; with a comprehensive and factual claim, the outcome should be satisfactory for all parties involved.
14. How long will the claim process take?
Cases have experienced unexpected delays, primarily due to a surge in volume compounded by the post-Covid capacity limitations of courts in England and Wales. While the backlog has somewhat diminished, it will still take considerable time for operations to normalise fully. Additionally, many cases are being managed through group action, necessitating specific court procedures. While this temporarily affects the pace of other cases, it’s anticipated that within the next year, this approach will significantly expedite the process. We estimate these cases may take 2-3 years to resolve, though settlement out of court could potentially shorten this timeframe.
15. Will I have to pay legal fees?
The legal firms that we recommend operate on Conditional Fee Agreements, commonly known as no-win, no-fee, a policy of insurance is also taken out in your name to ensure that your case is protected by insurance.
In the event of an unsuccessful outcome, the insurance policy will cover all fees.
If your case is successful, the majority of your legal costs will be paid by the MoD. A success fee of 25% of your damages (including VAT) and the insurance policy premium will also be deducted from your final amount.
16. Can I Claim Through the Royal British Legion?
Enquire Now
Submit your contact information through our form below and one of our veterans will call you back to discuss your claim, in strictest confidence.
Please note you can only claim for the time you served after 1987.