Ted Shirley

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Ted Shirley
1 Royal Welsh
Ted Shirley is a former British Army sniper, and author of the Amazon bestseller ‘Afghanistan Sniper: Trauma On The Front Line And Beyond.’ After serving multiple tours in Afghanistan, he battled with PTSD and was told it would be a lifelong condition. Through therapy, travel, and alternative approaches, he made a full recovery and now speaks openly as a PTSD advocate and guest speaker, challenging long‑held beliefs around trauma and life after service.

“Hearing loss is a hidden battle carried by many who have served. Years around loud machinery, weapons, and combat can leave a lasting impact – so if you’re a veteran noticing changes in your hearing, don’t ignore it. Getting checked could help protect your quality of life and keep you connected to the world around you.”

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 think you have suffered noise-induced hearing loss, you may be entitled to compensation.
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 simplify the process and fight your corner from start to finish.

“Hearing loss and tinnitus are a daily issue for me. Forever asking people to repeat themselves and pretending that I can hear the quiet bits on the TV. At my age I shouldn’t have the hearing of a 75 year old, and neither should you. It happens gradually, and can often go relatively undetected. Get yourself a hearing test booked and make sure you get what your owed.”

Your DedicatedUK BasedVeteran Team
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, you may still be able to as long as you served in the UK Armed Forces. Each case is assessed individually and if your case has merit, your claim can proceed even if you’re based abroad.
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.
The legal firms we work with operate under Conditional Fee Agreements. Your case will be covered by an after the event (ATE) insurance policy. This insures you against loses and allows your case to be no win, no fee. If your claim is unsuccessful, all legal costs are covered and you don’t have to pay a penny. If your claim is successful a fee of upto 30% (including VAT), along with the insurance premium, will be deducted from your final settlement to cover your solicitor’s costs
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