Years of exposure to gunfire, artillery, aircraft and heavy machinery take a toll, and many service personnel and veterans are left with hearing loss or tinnitus long after their time in the forces. If the Ministry of Defence failed to protect your hearing, you may be entitled to compensation — and you can often claim even if you left the military years ago.
This guide explains military hearing loss claims in plain English: what causes it, who can claim, the different routes to compensation, and the time limits you need to know.
What Is Military Hearing Loss?
Military hearing loss usually means noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus caused by exposure to loud noise during service. It develops gradually, so many veterans don’t connect their hearing problems to their service until years later — often when a hearing test or hearing aids are needed. Common signs include struggling to follow conversations, turning the television up, and a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears.
Common Causes in the Armed Forces
Whether you served in the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force, damaging noise exposure can come from:
- weapons fire on ranges and in training, including rifles, machine guns and artillery;
- explosions and blast noise;
- aircraft, helicopters and flight decks;
- armoured vehicles, engine rooms and heavy machinery; and
- inadequate, unsuitable or unavailable hearing protection.
Where the MoD failed to assess the risk, provide proper hearing protection, or follow noise-safety rules, it may be liable for the damage to your hearing.
Who Can Claim for Military Hearing Loss?
Both serving personnel and veterans can potentially claim. You don’t need to still be in the forces, and you can often claim years after leaving — because the law generally runs the time limit from when you first realised your hearing loss was linked to your service, not from when the exposure happened. Hearing loss claims are a key part of our wider military injury claims work.
How to Claim: The Three Routes
There are three separate ways military hearing loss is compensated, and they can apply depending on when you served and what happened:
1. Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme covers injuries and illness caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. It’s a no-fault, tariff-based scheme run by the MoD (Veterans UK) that pays a lump sum, and in more serious cases an ongoing Guaranteed Income Payment.
2. War Pension Scheme
If your hearing was damaged by service before 6 April 2005, the War Pension Scheme applies instead. There is no time limit to claim under this scheme.
3. A civil compensation claim against the MoD
Separately from the government schemes, you may be able to bring a civil negligence claim against the Ministry of Defence where it failed in its duty to protect your hearing. This is where a specialist solicitor is most valuable — a civil claim can recover compensation for the injury plus your financial losses, and can often be pursued alongside an AFCS or War Pension award.
Time Limits — Don’t Leave It Too Late
The deadlines differ depending on the route:
- AFCS: generally 7 years, usually from the date of the incident, discharge or when you first sought medical advice for the condition.
- War Pension Scheme: no time limit to claim.
- Civil claim: generally 3 years from your “date of knowledge” — when you first realised your hearing loss was connected to your service.
Because these limits can be tighter than people expect, it’s well worth getting advice as soon as you suspect your hearing has been affected.
How Much Compensation Could You Receive?
Every case is different. The amount depends on the severity of your hearing loss and tinnitus, whether you need hearing aids, and the impact on your work and daily life. AFCS awards are set by a fixed tariff, while a civil claim is valued individually and can also include financial losses such as lost earnings and the cost of hearing aids. A specialist solicitor will tell you honestly which routes apply and what your claim may be worth.
How Din Solicitors Can Help
Military hearing loss claims are technical, and the interaction between the AFCS, the War Pension Scheme and a civil claim can be confusing. Our team helps veterans and serving personnel across England & Wales understand their options, gather the medical and service evidence needed, and pursue the compensation they deserve — sensitively and without jargon. Learn more on our military hearing loss claims page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim for hearing loss if I left the military years ago?
Yes, in many cases. Time limits usually run from when you first realised your hearing loss was linked to your service, so veterans can often claim years after leaving. Get advice as soon as you can, as deadlines still apply.
What’s the difference between the AFCS and a civil claim?
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme is a no-fault government scheme paying a set tariff for service on or after 6 April 2005. A civil claim is a separate negligence claim against the MoD, valued individually, and can sometimes be pursued alongside an AFCS or War Pension award.
Do I have to still be serving to make a claim?
No. Both serving personnel and veterans can claim for hearing loss caused by service.
Can I claim for tinnitus as well as hearing loss?
Yes. Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears) caused by service noise is a recognised injury and can be claimed for, on its own or alongside hearing loss.
How long do I have to make a claim?
It depends on the route: generally 7 years for the AFCS, no time limit for the War Pension Scheme, and 3 years from your date of knowledge for a civil claim. A solicitor can confirm which applies to you.
Speak to a Military Hearing Loss Solicitor
If your hearing has been damaged by your service, you’ve given enough — you shouldn’t have to fight for the compensation you’re owed as well. Din Solicitors supports serving personnel and veterans across England & Wales. Learn more about military hearing loss claims, explore our wider military claims services, or start your claim today — or call 01422 647175 for free, confidential advice.
This article is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. Din Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 8008984). Last reviewed: July 2026.