Military Hearing Claims UKVeterans’ Hearing Loss Claims

Trade-specific exposure

Military trades and hearing loss risk

Noise-induced hearing loss tracks closely with trade. Below we set out the high-risk roles we most often build claims around — and the specific equipment and environments that cause the damage.

Direct answer

Trades with the highest noise exposure include Royal Artillery, infantry, Royal Marines, RAF aircrew and ground crew, REME engineers, submariners and Royal Signals or EOD specialists. Eligibility turns on documented exposure and adequate hearing protection, not the trade itself.

Royal Artillery & gunners

AS90, L118 light gun, GMLRS and mortar crews are exposed to high-intensity impulse noise from the gun line that routinely exceeds the upper exposure action value under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.

  • • Repeated high-intensity impulse noise from gun line and mortar baseplate.
  • • Shoulder-fired weapons (LAW, NLAW, Javelin) generate severe back-blast acoustic events.
  • • NIHL with 4 kHz notch and bilateral high-frequency tinnitus are characteristic findings.

Infantry & Royal Marines

Small-arms ranges, GPMG and Minimi suppressive fire, demolitions and FIBUA training accumulate high-dose exposure across a career.

  • • SA80, GPMG, .50 cal HMG and underslung grenade launcher noise on ranges and operations.
  • • Close-quarter battle (CQB) and breaching training — confined-space impulse exposure.
  • • Armoured vehicle interiors (Warrior, Mastiff, Foxhound) — sustained machinery and engine noise.

Submariners & marine engineers

Confined machinery spaces, propulsion plant and reactor compartments produce sustained broadband noise across long patrols.

  • • Vanguard, Astute and Trafalgar class submariners — engine room, switchboard and tunnel watches.
  • • Surface fleet engineering branches — gas turbine and diesel generator compartments.
  • • Watchkeeping rotation amplifies daily personal noise exposure (LEP,d).

RAF aircrew & ground crew

Fast-jet, rotary and transport aircraft generate engine noise routinely above the upper exposure action value.

  • • Typhoon, Tornado and F-35 flightline ground crew — engine runs and afterburner.
  • • Rotary aircrew (Chinook, Merlin, Wildcat, Apache) — sustained cabin and rotor noise.
  • • Air traffic ground operations and weapons load crews — repeated impulse and broadband exposure.

REME, MAOT & engineering trades

Workshops, vehicle bays and aircraft hangars combine impact tools, generators and engine test runs.

  • • Power tools, pneumatic equipment and bench tests in confined workshop spaces.
  • • Engine test bays — sustained high-frequency noise.
  • • Generator and APU operation in field conditions without consistent hearing protection.

Royal Signals, EOD & specialist trades

Headset operators, EOD/bomb disposal and demolitions instructors face role-specific acoustic risks.

  • • EOD controlled detonations and demolitions training — high-intensity impulse events.
  • • Headset overpressure events (acoustic shock) for radio operators and aircrew.
  • • Range safety staff and weapons instructors — cumulative high-dose exposure across postings.

Next steps

Where to read more

Free trade-based eligibility check

FAQs

Trades & roles — common questions

  • Yes — your trade and the documented noise environment of that role are central to proving exposure. Trades with a recognised high-noise profile (artillery, infantry, aircrew, marine engineering, EOD, REME) generally have a stronger evidential starting point because the MoD’s own JSP 375 risk assessments already recognise the hazard.

Find out if you have a claim

Speak to a specialist military hearing loss solicitor for a free, no-obligation eligibility check. No win, no fee representation available.

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