Serving in the armed forces can often mean working in a noisy environment. Most will get used to the excessive noise after a while, but exposure can lead to serious consequences if the proper safety measures aren't taken.

If you've experienced noise-induced hearing loss while in the military because of a negligent approach to hearing protection, then our solicitors could help you claim compensation.

There has been a rising number of deafness claims made by armed forces personnel in the last few years, with many allegations of inadequate ear protection being made. If you've 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've 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 that you were exposed to. We can interpret audiograms and consult with medical experts to assess the damage to your hearing. We've a proven track record with hearing damage cases for military personnel.

If you’ve experienced noise-induced hearing loss while serving in any capacity in the Army, Navy, RAF, or Special Forces you may be able to claim compensation. You could also claim if your hearing was damaged while serving in the Army Reserve (formerly the Territorial Army), Navy Reserve or RAF Reserve.

Why choose Irwin Mitchell’s solicitors to handle your military hearing loss claim?

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.

Alongside our legal expertise, we’ll see that you’ve access to all the support you need, both during and after your claim. Our Support and Rehabilitation team consists of trained clinical specialists who’ll assess any help you’d benefit from. We’ve strong connections with charities and support groups nationwide, so we’ll secure you help that’s local to you.

We understand that claiming against the MoD for hearing loss or any injury can be stressful and emotional. We do all we can to make the process as simple for you as possible, including how we communicate.

If you’d like to visit us, we’ve offices across the UK. If you can’t travel, we can arrange to meet with you at home or in hospital. There’s also the option of communicating through video or phone calls if you’d prefer to work in this way.

Once your claim is settled, you may have questions around how to manage your compensation. Our Asset Management team of financial experts will be there to offer tailored advice on how to make sure your compensation pays for all your needs. If you’re interested in investing your compensation, they can advise on this too.

Our Welfare Benefits advisors will help you to access any means-tested benefits you’re entitled to because of your hearing loss. To make sure you get the full amount you’re entitled to in benefits, we can set up a personal injury trust for you. This separates your compensation from the rest of your finances, stopping it from being considered when calculating benefit entitlement.

No Win No Fee*
Expert lawyers with a service background
Experience claiming against MoD since abolition of Crown Immunity in 1987
Offices throughout the UK

Call our experts FREE on:

0800 022 3321

Or we can call you back at a time of your choice

Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year
david johnston-keay

More information on military hearing loss claims

Six-figure settlement in permanent noise-induced hearing loss claim

Carol Purang headshot

"I’m very happy to have been able to help Jack get enough compensation to help him to make up for the damage caused by his excessive exposure to noise as a young soldier that will go some way to making a difference to Jack’s future”. – Carol Purang, Military Injury Solicitor

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I also make a military tinnitus claim?

Yes, you can make a military tinnitus claim if you’ve developed tinnitus through the MoD’s negligence.

Tinnitus is a condition that causes a ringing, hissing, or buzzing noise in the ear, often after being exposed to loud noises. It can result in loss of sleep, stress, and depression.

Tinnitus is a form of hearing damage, and if yours was caused by not being given sufficient ear protection in the armed forces, you may be able to make a claim. Contact us to discuss what happened to you.

What are the symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss?

Noise-induced hearing loss is hearing damage through exposure to loud volumes. 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 are 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've 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'll be able to make a claim, contact us for a free initial consultation, and we’ll offer expert advice on your options.

What hearing protection should the MoD give military personnel to avoid hearing damage?

Employers have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect their employees' hearing while at work. The Ministry of Defence is no different.

As a member of the armed forces, you often have no choice in your working environment, and avoiding loud noises isn’t always possible. This makes it all the more vital for appropriate hearing protection to be provided to service personnel when needed.

The steps that should be taken to protect your hearing include:

  • Assessing the sources of noise and the risks they cause
  • Reducing volume levels as much as possible through noise control, such as sound absorption materials
  • Ensuring volumes don't regularly exceed 87dB, or go beyond peak levels of 140dB
  • Providing adequate hearing protection if requested, or if noise levels are above exposure limits
  • Identifying and signposting areas where hearing protection is needed
  • Making sure hearing protection is properly maintained.

If you feel that you haven't been given adequate hearing protection in noisy environments, and that this has resulted in hearing loss or tinnitus, then you may be able to claim compensation. If you’ve any concerns or questions, get in touch for a free initial consultation about your case.

Awards and Accreditations

We're always proud to be recognised for the work we do for our clients and have been named as a leading firm in the latest legal guides - which provide information and recommendations about lawyers and law firms in the UK.


The Times Best Law Firms 2019
Chambers & Partners 2020 logo
Strong client care ethos
Excellent and well known team that acts quickly and is a pleasure to work with."
Head and shoulders above others
They make themselves available to their clients and are willing to go the extra mile."

What Our Clients Say

We truly value and appreciate the feedback we receive from our clients, as we look to improve the services we offer on an ongoing basis.

Read More Feedback
5
Excellent and professional...

I am very pleased with the help I received from Irwin Mitchell.

Everything was explained to me quite clearly before they took on my case, and because they were confident that I had a case, I felt confident that they would…

Cherron Webb
5
The service I received…

The service I received from Irwin Mitchell was impeccable. I was carried along from start to finish. Claire King was amazingly awesome. All the Customer Service Representatives was absolutely polite and professional…


Thomas Ladipo
5
Call them!

From the first call to the end of the process they were highly professional and supportive.

I contacted them following a stressful life changing event. They had been through this before and understood the process well…

Sheila Beck

Royal British Legion

 

We're proud to be part of The Royal British Legion Solicitor's Group


Our Armed Forces Expertise

Since 1987, our specialist military injury team has helped hundreds of injured personnel from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy to claim compensation. We are considered one of the top law firms in the country for military claims and several cases we were involved in were recently featured in the Chilcot Inquiry.

We work closely with a number of Armed Forces welfare branches and organisations, and are the PAX appointed legal representatives under the PAX Personal Accident Insurance Scheme. We're also proud supporters of:

  • The Royal British Legion Solicitors Group
  • Help For Heroes
  • SSAFA Forces Help

Several of our solicitors were part of team that recently won The Claims Innovation Award for Legal Service Team of the Year (2016) for their pro bono work within The Royal British Legion Solicitors Group (TRBLSG).


Our Offices

Our offices are located in major cities throughout the UK and have excellent transport links.