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.

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

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