You can claim for hearing loss from the Army or other parts of the Armed Forces if your loss was caused or made worse by service. There are currently two main routes. One is the no-fault award from the MOD, the other is a civil compensation claim against them for negligence. Many veterans and serving personnel find they qualify for one, and in some cases, both.
The rules across all branches of the Armed Forces are the same, so whether you served in the Army, Royal Navy, RAF or Royal Marines, the information provided in this guide remains relevant.
Can I claim for hearing loss from the Army: Summary
| Can I claim for army hearing loss? | Yes, if service caused it or worsened it. |
| Do I need to prove it was combat related? | No. Training exercises and general service also count. |
| Which schemes can I use? | MOD compensation (AFCS or War Pension) and/or civil claim |
| Does tinnitus count? | Yes, but it is included within a hearing loss award, not paid separately. |
| Is there a deadline? | The Matrix Agreement route closes on 31 January 2027. |
| Can I claim if I was rejected before? | Often yes, particularly through the civil route. |
Can you claim for hearing loss caused by Army service?
You can claim for hearing loss caused by Army service if the hearing damage is a direct consequence of your duties in the Armed Forces. It’s important to note that it does not have to be linked to combat. You may still be eligible if your hearing was damaged during a training exercise, on the firing range or by an ear infection caused by service.
Hearing loss remains one of the most commonly reported injuries among veterans. The Royal British Legion found that ex-service personnel are more than twice as likely to experience hearing loss as civilians.
Most military hearing loss is noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL. This means it is damage to the inner ear caused by factors such as repeated loud noise, such as gunfire, or a single intense event like a blast.
What conditions can you claim for?
Claims can be made for a range of hearing conditions linked to your service. These include:
- Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) from exposure over time or a single event
- Tinnitus, the perception of ringing, buzzing or whooshing noises with no external source
- Acoustic trauma and blast injury to the ears
- Hyperacusis, where everyday sounds feel uncomfortably or painfully loud
What are the ways you can claim from the Army for hearing loss?
There are two ways you can claim for hearing loss from the Army. Both work differently, so it’s important to understand the route you are pursuing. One option is the no-fault MOD award and the other is a civil negligence claim. While some military personnel may pursue one route to compensation, both can be utilised at the same time.
| MOD Compensation | Civil Claim | |
| Basis | No-fault, no need to prove negligence | Fault-based, MOD accepts a duty of care |
| Run by | Veterans UK (part of the MOD) | A solicitor on your behalf |
| Who qualifies | Members with injury caused or worsened by service | Personnel who served on or after 15 May 1987 |
| Timescale | Faster, more straightforward | Longer, but can result in higher payouts |
| Cost to you | Free to apply | Usually no-win, no-fee |
| Payout amount | Fixed scheme tariffs | Full damages, including lost earnings |
MOD compensation
The MOD runs two no-fault schemes through Veterans UK. Which one applies to you depends on when your hearing was damaged:
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS): Covers injury or illness caused by service on or after 6 April 2005.
- War Pension Scheme: Covers injury or illness caused by service before 6 April 2005.
All payments are non-taxable, and your income or savings play no part in how much you can claim. You do not need to prove fault, only that service caused the condition or made it worse.
A civil claim through the Matrix Agreement
A civil claim seeks damages from the MOD for failing to protect your hearing. This route was transformed by a settlement scheme known as the Matrix Agreement.
Under this agreement, the MOD has accepted it owed a duty of care over noise-induced hearing loss and has dropped its usual time-limit and immunity defences. You’ll need to show that hearing loss was sustained during service, and at present it is only available to those who served on or after 15 May 1987. Solicitors will handle these claims on your behalf, with many offering a no-win, no-fee service.
How much compensation can you get for hearing loss caused by the Army?
The amount of compensation for hearing loss caused or worsened by the Army varies depending on the severity of the loss. Under the AFCS, awards follow set tariffs. These are shown below:
| AFCS award type | What is it | Amount |
| Lump sum | One-off tax-free payment for pain and suffering | £1,200 to £570,000 |
| Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) | Tax-free monthly payment for the most serious cases | Ongoing monthly sum |
Civil claims can be much higher because they can account for losses that the MOD schemes don’t. This could include reduced earnings, for example. There have been settlements that have reached several hundred thousand pounds, with one landmark case seeing a former Royal Marine awarded £713,715. If you receive an MOD award, and also pursue a civil claim, the earlier award is normally taken into account when any other compensation is calculated.
How is hearing loss caused by the Army assessed?
Hearing loss thought to have been caused by the Army, with claims pursued by the MOD-scheme route, is assessed by reviewing the audiogram of the final or most recent service medical.
For the War Pension or AFCS award, Veterans UK will assess the level of hearing loss by calculating the average across three frequencies: 1, 2, and 3 kHz. Measured in decibels for each ear, the loss must be 50 decibels or more in both ears for an award to be made.
The MOD also states that hearing loss cannot get worse once you are removed from noise. This means that if your hearing reduces after you are discharged, service will not be deemed as the cause and no award will be granted.
For civil claims, the assessment is based on independent medical evidence and follows guidance set by the High Court.
How long do you have to claim?
Each route has its own limits. Our table below explains how long you have to make your claim.
| Route | Deadline |
| Civil Claim via Matrix Agreement | 31 January 2027 to join. |
| AFCS claim | Usually 7 years from the injury, or from when medical advice was first sought. |
| War Pension claim | No strict time limit, but earlier is better. |
The Matrix Agreement
The Matrix Agreement deadline was extended to 31 January 2027 in July 2026. Claims can still be brought afterwards, but the process is likely to be slower and harder, because the MOD’s time-limit and immunity defences may apply. By acting early, you make the best use of the medical and service evidence your claim is backed by.
If a previous claim was rejected via the AFCS or War Pension route, or you received a payment, you may still be able to claim. The Matrix Agreement allows many to make claims where in the past, they were told they had missed a deadline.
How to start a claim
If you are claiming an MOD award (AFCS or War Pension), you can pursue a claim as follows:
- If you were medically discharged, Veterans UK may consider your condition automatically.
- If not, submit an AFCS/WPS001 to Veterans UK with supporting evidence.
- Contact Veterans UK on 0808 1914 218 for assistance with completing your claim.
For civil claims, you’ll need to speak to a solicitor who handles military hearing loss claims before the Matrix deadline. They will normally arrange a hearing test and request your service and medical records. The Royal British Legion Solicitors Group can help. You can contact them via email at enq@trblsg.co.uk or call them on 0333 577 1989. In many cases, you’ll be offered a no-win, no-fee agreement by a solicitor. However, check the details thoroughly before proceeding. Scam adverts have become common, implying links to compensation schemes or the MOD itself. Err on the side of caution and choose any solicitor or adviser carefully.
How Trinity can help
We are unable to support claims for military hearing loss. That is handled specifically by Veterans UK or a specialist solicitor. Instead, we can ensure you are covered if an injury affects your health, income or future. Trinity’s military personal accident insurance protects serving personnel on and off duty and veterans from accident with a special discounted veterans rate, with a choice of cover options to suit your circumstances.
Call us today on 01243 817 777 for a tailored quote or request a call back and one of our team will provide further assistance.
This guide is general information and should not be treated as legal advice. Deadlines, eligibility criteria and award amounts are subject to change and will depend on your circumstances. Always speak to a qualified solicitor, Veterans UK or an Armed Forces charity like The Royal British Legion.
Claim for hearing loss from the Army FAQs
Can only serving personnel claim?
No. Both serving personnel and veterans across all branches can claim, including reservists and regulars.
Do I have to prove the MOD was negligent?
Not for an AFCS or War Pension award. These are no-fault forms of compensation. For a civil claim, the MOD has already accepted a duty of care under the Matrix Agreement, so you just need to prove loss occurred during service.
Can I use both routes?
Yes. Many people pursue an MOD award and a civil claim. Just remember, any MOD award is normally offset against civil compensation.