David Johnston-Keay
Partner
Military Hearing Loss Claims
If you have experienced hearing damage or deafness in the military due to inadequate ear protection, or you’ve worked on the Ajax Armoured Vehicle programme and developed hearing loss symptoms or ringing in your ears, you might have a claim for compensation.
Find out more about your options and get in touch to speak to a specialist solicitor about your case.
Why choose Irwin Mitchell to make a compensation claim for hearing loss in the military?
Since 1987, our specialist military injury team has helped hundreds of injured personnel from the Army, RAF, and Royal Navy to claim compensation. We’re considered one of the top law firms in the country for military claims.
We work closely with various Armed Forces welfare branches and organisations, and proud supporters of:
- The Royal British Legion Solicitors Group
- Help For Heroes
- SSAFA Forces Help.
Several of our military injury lawyers are former members of the armed forces themselves, giving us first-hand knowledge of the military. This can be invaluable when launching a claim against the MoD, as we’ll be able to tailor our advice to your unique situation, giving your claim the best chance of success.
Read answers to the most common questions about military claims in our Military Injury Claims Guide. Or find out more about how we support veterans on our Veteran Support page.
Can I make a compensation claim for hearing loss in the military?
Yes, you can make a claim for military-induced hearing loss. There has been a rising number of deafness claims made by armed forces personnel over the past few years, with many allegations of inadequate ear protection being made.
If you have experienced hearing damage or deafness in the military due to inadequate ear protection, call us or contact us online today for a free consultation.
We have successfully pursued claims of military hearing loss caused by:
- Gun and artillery fire
- Mortars
- Explosions
- Pyrotechnics
- Aircraft noise
- Vehicle engine noise
- Brass bands.
Hearing loss isn’t the only symptom caused by excessive noise exposure. Tinnitus and hyperacusis (heightened sensitivity to everyday sounds) are also frequently caused by these cases, and you could claim compensation for these conditions, too.
In any hearing damage case, we consider the volume, frequency, duration and intensity of the noise to which you were exposed. We can interpret audiograms and consult with medical experts to assess the damage to your hearing. We have a proven track record with hearing damage cases for military personnel.
Can I claim compensation after working on the Ajax Armoured Vehicle programme?
If you have worked on the Ajax programme and developed hearing loss symptoms or ringing in your ears, our military injury claims solicitors may be able to help you claim compensation.
Testing new military equipment naturally comes with certain risks, but, as with any employer, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has a duty to protect you from those risks and take all reasonable steps to prevent injury.
Noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus are permanent conditions that could seriously affect the rest of your life, including ending your service career. If you have been affected, you may be entitled to compensation to help you manage the impact of your injury on both your career and personal life.
We’re already representing a number of personnel, including engineers and vehicle commanders, who have suffered hearing loss and tinnitus while testing Ajax vehicles.
Meet a specialist from our team
Our market leading team will help you understand your rights, secure the compensation you’re owed, and access vital support – from rehabilitation to long-term care.
How long does a military deafness claim take?
There’s no set timeframe for how long a claim against the MoD for hearing loss will take.
In cases where the MoD accepts responsibility and agrees with how much we are claiming for in compensation, the claim can be settled quite swiftly.
However, if it disputes responsibility or the compensation amount, this can lengthen the process as we will need to prove your hearing damage was the fault of the MoD. This may include starting court proceedings, which is why your claim will take longer to settle than if responsibility was accepted.
Rest assured, no matter how long your hearing loss claim takes to settle, we won’t rest until we have secured you every penny you are entitled to in compensation. We will be with you every step of the way, acting on your instructions and making sure you’re fully informed at each stage.
Frequently asked questions about military hearing loss claims
Find out what you need to know about making a claim for military deafness.Noise-induced hearing loss is hearing damage through exposure to excessive volume. This could be sudden due to a single exposure to an incredibly loud sound or slowly caused by regular exposure to volumes that exceed safe limits.
There’s a range of symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss and you may experience one or more of the following:
- Total deafness
- A general muffling of sound
- Loss of a certain range of frequencies, particularly high pitches.
As well as impairing your hearing and making it difficult to communicate with others, hearing loss has been shown to have an impact on the mental health of those who experience it. Tinnitus can also cause problems sleeping, with ringing in the ears particularly noticeable in quiet environments.
If you have experienced these symptoms after an exposure to high volumes as part of your work in the armed forces, and you weren't given adequate hearing protection, then you may be able to claim compensation.
If you’re unsure whether you can make a claim or not, contact us for a free initial consultation.
Get the help you need
Contact us today for a free initial consultation to talk through your claim for hearing loss from your time in the military
Call us free on 08000223321
Making an enquiry
We have several ways you can contact us, either by completing our online contact form, by phone, or using our live chat. If you start your journey online, here are the first steps to working together.
Complete our online formWe need a few details to understand your situation and the kind of support you need.
We’ll contact you by phoneOn the call our experts will ask you a few more questions to make sure we connect you with the right legal advice from our team.
We arrange a full appointmentIf we’re able to support you further, the next step is an appointment with one of our specialists so we can discuss everything in more detail.
How we can help
Irwin Mitchell Scotland
Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.