Chris Binch & Veterans for Veterans
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Chris Binch
The 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (2 PARA)
The Old Paratrooper podcast is hosted by Chris Binch, a long-term sufferer of Noise Induced Hearing Loss. The podcast dives into honest conversations around mental health and ADHD—especially within the veteran community. Chris served seven intense years with 2 PARA, completing tours in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, the Balkans, and Afghanistan. After the military, he spent six years as a bodyguard in Iraq, three years in anti-piracy, and has since found new purpose as a firefighter.
His story is one of resilience, and his podcast gives a voice to those navigating life after service.
“I have personal experience with noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus – struggling to hear people’s conversations in pubs and ringing in my ears. Through my podcast, I’ve spoken to so many lads who struggle on, thinking it was part of the job. But you don’t have to just ‘put up with it’ and talking to someone who shares that unspoken military understanding makes all the difference. – Chris Binch”
Noise Induced Hearing Loss Claims
Those serving in the British armed forces often experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) during their service, particularly from exposure to loud noises in training exercises and operations, including duties such as operating heavy machinery, participating in live fire exercises, or working near aircraft.
NIHL typically affects the inner ear, leading to symptoms that may include:
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty understanding speech
- Muffled hearing
If you believe your hearing may have been affected by military noise exposure, you may be able to pursue a claim, depending on your circumstances.
Veterans For Veterans & You
At Veterans For Veterans, our experienced team of former service personnel is here to support you every step of the way. We know that making an armed forces hearing loss claim can feel overwhelming, so we’re here to help you understand the process and support you.
“Veterans for Veterans is not just about hearing loss. It’s a wider commitment to Veteran projects like mine. Their support helps us shift the narrative around hearing claims — this isn’t about being anti-military; it’s about standing up for fairness and the acknowledging the real impact of service. – Chris Binch”
Your DedicatedUK BasedVeteran Team
Daniel Spruce
Mark O’Sullivan
Simon Griffin
Gareth Clarke
Paul Rees
George Bruce
Chris Binch
Stephen Lambert
FAQs
If you relate to any of the FAQs, or want to find out more get started here.
You don’t need to be certain. Many veterans don’t realise the extent of their hearing damage until tested. Part of the claims process includes an audiology test, which will confirm whether you have hearing loss.
Claims can only be made for service after May 1987. This is because Crown Immunity protects the Ministry of Defence from claims for injuries before that date. If you joined in 1986 and served until 1995, you may still claim for the period after 1987. This law changed following the case of Smith V Ministry of Defence.
Yes. As long as part of your service in the UK Armed Forces was after May 1987, we may be able to help regardless of where you live now. However, we can only support claims where the necessary testing is available in your location. Contact us for more information about testing availability where you live.
Yes. Having a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) award does not prevent you from pursuing a separate civil claim, including if you have already been rejected for AFCS.
All claims with our panel of law firms are handled under a no-win-no-fee agreement, covered by an ATE policy where appropriate. In the event of an unsuccessful outcome, the insurance policy will cover all fees but specific terms may apply depending on law firm. If your case is successful, a success fee of up to 30% of your damages (including VAT) and the insurance policy premium will be deducted from your final amount. In some cases, your law firm may recommend After the Event (ATE) insurance. This is a policy designed to protect you from certain legal costs and expenses if the claim does not succeed. ATE insurance is generally arranged on a deferred basis, meaning there is nothing to pay upfront and the premium is only payable if the claim is successful. Where applicable, the insurance premium is charged in addition to the success fee referred to above and will be deducted from compensation recovered at the conclusion of a successful claim. The cost of any ATE insurance policy will vary depending on the circumstances of the claim, and full details will be provided by the law firm before any agreement is entered into.
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