On this page you will find information about:
- What type of claim can be made for hearing loss.
- How an award is assessed.
- Support with appeals from the Royal British Legion.
If you've suffered from hearing loss due to Service in the Armed Forces, you may be eligible for a War Pension or Armed Forces compensation. Both schemes are administered by the MOD through Veterans UK.
There are different types of hearing loss caused by a range of different reasons.
Hearing loss guidance
If you have served in HM Forces on or after 15th May 1987, or if you are still serving in HM Forces, you may be able to claim Hearing Loss.
If you believe your Hearing Loss, including the complications of tinnitus, earache, fatigue, stress and social isolation, were caused by service you may be entitled to compensation.
You may be able to apply even if you have previously been rejected for, or if you received a previous award under a War Pensions or AFCS claim.
An agreement exists whereby the MOD has determined it will not raise defences involving the limitation period in which to bring a claim, together with Crown and Combat Immunity. This is subject to a formula known as the Matrix, which looks at dates of service and the amount of compensation to decide an award.
Claims under the Matrix Agreement for hearing loss caused by service must be lodged by 23:59 hours on 30th January 2026.
Hearing Loss Claims
If you do not have a preferred solicitor to contact, we suggest you consider making contact with the the RBL Solicitors Group, or a solicitor of your choice who undertakes Personal Injury litigation.
You can contact the RBL Solicitors Group via:
Email: [email protected]
It is likely that you will be offered a “no win, no fee agreement”. The details of which will be explained by your solicitors.
We are aware of several new firms that have appeared since the ruling has been made claiming to be experienced with supporting veterans, we suggest that any decision you make on which solicitor you choose is done in a considered way.
How is an award assessed?
Please be aware that only a substantial level of hearing loss will warrant an award.
The measurement of hearing loss will be taken from the audiogram of the final or most recent Service medical. Veterans UK will assess the level of hearing loss by calculating the average over three frequencies: 1, 2, and 3 KHz. The average measurements are recorded in decibels for each ear.
The loss must be 50 decibels or more in both ears before an award will be made.
Tinnitus is part of hearing loss, despite not necessarily reducing individuals' ability to hear varied levels of noise. No separate award is tailored to tinnitus alone and so some claimants have affected hearing but do not qualify for a payment.
The MOD maintains that hearing loss cannot get worse once you have been removed from noise. This means that if your hearing reduces after discharge, the MOD will decide that Service was not the cause and therefore no award will be made.
Support from the Royal British Legion
If you have already made a claim for a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation our team may be able to support you to make an appeal and represent you at a tribunal for free. Additionally, whether you are eligible for compensation from the MOD or not, there may be other ways that the Royal British Legion may be able to support you.
To find out more about the support the RBL could offer you, contact us via
Telephone: 0808 802 8080
Telephone overseas: +44 (0)20 3376 8080
Calls are free
from UK landlines and main mobile networks
Email: [email protected]
