Army Pays £150 Million in Hearing Loss Compensation

Since 2012, nearly 10,000 serving and former members of the Armed Forces have received compensation for hearing loss.

The compensation pay out for 2022-23 was the highest in a decade, with the MoD disbursing £31.7 million to 1,706 individuals who were able to prove that their hearing problems were caused by military service.

This figure represents a significant increase from the £9.2 million paid out to 846 personnel in 2021-22, as revealed by a freedom of information request. The total amount of compensation paid could equate to the cost of 37 Challenger 2 tanks or nearly two F-35 jets.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the MoD had also paid more than £160 million in compensation to troops who had developed non freezing cold injuries. This has led to criticism that the military is failing to adequately train its personnel on health and safety measures, resulting in costly compensation claims.

Colonel Phil Ingram, a former Army intelligence officer, criticised the MoD for not providing the correct equipment, which he believes fosters a "compensation culture" that is likely to worsen. He emphasised the need for the MoD to ensure that soldiers are properly trained, equipped with adequate protective gear, and made aware of the risks associated with insufficient ear protection.

According to MoD sources, the surge in compensation payments last year was partly due to increased awareness among troops that they could claim compensation for hearing issues, following advertisements by legal firms. Most of the payouts were the result of common law claims, meaning the MoD was effectively sued by military personnel.

An MoD spokesperson stated, "We take the health and wellbeing of our personnel seriously and continually explore ways to reduce noise levels in their working environments. This includes providing training and protective equipment."

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