Military hearing loss claims have risen sharply. The latest Ministry of Defence figures show that service Noise-Induced Hearing Loss claims more than doubled in a single year, making them the main reason for the overall increase in common law claims against the MOD.
For veterans, the numbers are significant. But they also need some explanation. A rise in recorded claims does not automatically mean that more people are developing hearing loss now. It shows that many more potential cases are being brought to the MOD, often years after the noise exposure itself took place.
So, what do the latest figures actually show, and why might more veterans be looking into military hearing loss claims?
What do the latest MOD hearing loss figures show?
The MOD published its latest common law compensation claims statistics in August 2026. In the 2024/25 financial year, it recorded 35,696 new common law claims. That was 52% higher than the previous year.
The biggest driver was service Noise-Innduced Hearing Loss, often shortened to NIHL. The MOD recorded 32,707 Service NIHL claim notifications in 2024/25, compared with a revised figure of 13,409 in 2023/24.
Put simply, Service hearing loss made up the vast majority of new Employer’s Liability claims recorded by the MOD during the year.
The figures at a glance
- 35,696 new common law claims were recorded against the MOD in 2024/25.
- That was a 52% increase on the revised 2023/24 total.
- 32,707 of the 2024/25 notifications were Service noise-induced hearing loss claims.
- The comparable revised Service NIHL figure for 2023/24 was 13,409.
There is an important point to keep in mind. The MOD explains that these figures can include requests for records relating to potential hearing loss claims. They can also include separate notifications where the same claimant has instructed different solicitor firms. That means the totals should not be read as a count of 32,707 individual veterans making unique claims.
Why are military hearing loss claims increasing?
The MOD statistics tell us that hearing loss claim notifications have increased. They do not give one definitive reason why so many more are being submitted. However, there are several important pieces of context that help explain why this issue is receiving so much attention.
Military noise exposure can be significant
Noise is part of many military environments. Live firing, weapons training, engines, aircraft, ships, machinery and operational activity can all expose personnel to sound levels capable of damaging hearing.
The MOD’s own noise at work guidance says noise-induced hearing loss can happen suddenly after a short burst of very loud sound, such as gunfire, or develop over many years of exposure to continuous noise, such as an engine room.
That does not mean every veteran who worked around loud noise will have a claim. It does explain why hearing loss remains an important issue across different branches, trades and service histories.
Hearing problems are not always obvious straight away
Hearing loss can be gradual. Someone may notice that conversations are harder to follow in a busy room, that the television is creeping louder, or that they are asking people to repeat themselves more often. Tinnitus can also be an early sign of noise damage.
RNID says some people do not notice the effects of noise-induced hearing loss until years after their first exposure to loud noise. The NHS also lists long-term loud noise exposure as a cause of gradual hearing loss.
The important distinction is that this does not necessarily mean the original noise damage started years later. It can mean that the effects become more noticeable as time passes.
More veterans are hearing about military hearing loss claims
Military hearing loss has also been the subject of significant legal developments in recent years. In April 2026, the High Court handed down its judgment in Abbott and Others v Ministry of Defence, dealing with issues that affect many thousands of military NIHL cases.
There is also a current Matrix Agreement process for eligible military hearing loss claims, with the Royal British Legion stating that claims under the agreement must be lodged by 31 January 2027.
It would be wrong to say these developments alone caused the rise shown in the MOD statistics. What they have done is put military hearing loss firmly in the public eye and give veterans more reason to ask questions about their own hearing and service history.
What does the increase mean for an individual veteran?
A national rise in military hearing loss claims does not tell you whether your own case is eligible. Every claim depends on the individual circumstances, including your service history, the noise you were exposed to, your hearing, medical evidence and the legal position that applies to your case.
What the figures do show is that Service-related hearing loss is not an isolated issue. Tens of thousands of hearing loss notifications are now being recorded by the MOD, showing the scale of the issue within the MOD’s current common law claims workload.
If you served around regular or intense noise and you are now noticing hearing problems or tinnitus, it may be worth looking into the cause rather than simply putting it down to getting older.
What are the signs of noise-induced hearing loss?
Hearing changes can be easy to dismiss, especially when they happen gradually. Common signs can include:
- Struggling to follow speech when there is background noise.
- Needing people to repeat themselves more often.
- Turning the television, radio or phone volume higher than before.
- Ringing, buzzing or other sounds in the ears, known as tinnitus.
- Feeling tired from concentrating harder to follow conversations.
These symptoms can have many causes, so they are not proof that military service caused your hearing loss. If you are concerned about your hearing, getting it checked is a sensible first step.
Can you make a military hearing loss claim?
Potential eligibility depends on your individual service and circumstances. Veterans for Veterans already has a full guide to military hearing loss claims, including how the process works and the information that may be relevant.
The key point is not to assume that too much time has passed or that your hearing problems are simply something you have to live with. If part of your UK Armed Forces service took place after May 1987 and you believe your hearing was affected by military noise, you can check your position and speak to someone who understands the service environment.
The latest figures show the scale of the issue
The sharp rise in MOD hearing loss claims is difficult to ignore. The latest data shows that Service NIHL notifications have grown from thousands each year to tens of thousands.
The figures need to be read carefully because they are notifications, not a simple count of unique veterans. Even with that caveat, the direction is clear. Military hearing loss is a major and growing part of the MOD’s common law claims workload.
For veterans, the practical message is simple. If your hearing has changed and you spent part of your service around damaging levels of noise, it is worth finding out whether there could be a connection and what options may be available to you.