Royal Navy & Royal Marines Hearing Loss Compensation Claims
Last updated: April 2026
Royal Navy & Royal Marines veterans and serving personnel can claim compensation for hearing loss or tinnitus caused by service noise, through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or a civil claim against the Ministry of Defence. There is no minimum length of service, and you can claim after leaving the forces.
Noise Sources in the Royal Navy & Royal Marines
- Engine room machinery (gas turbines, diesel generators)
- Naval gunfire (4.5-inch guns, Phalanx CIWS, small arms)
- Helicopter deck operations (Merlin, Wildcat, Sea King)
- Sonar equipment and communications systems
- Small boat operations (rigid raider, landing craft engines)
- Royal Marines weapons training and explosive breaching
Most At-Risk Roles
Marine Engineers
Working in enclosed engine rooms with gas turbines and diesel generators running for extended periods creates sustained noise exposure well above safe limits.
Weapons Ratings
Operating and maintaining naval weapons systems including close-in weapons systems and naval guns exposes ratings to impulse noise and sustained machinery noise.
Royal Marines Commandos
Marines face similar noise risks to army infantry plus amphibious operations, small boat engines, and explosive breaching techniques.
Flight Deck Crew
Personnel working on helicopter flight decks are exposed to rotor and engine noise from aircraft operations, often for prolonged periods.
Historical Context
Naval personnel faced unique hearing risks from confined spaces aboard ships where noise reverberates. Engine rooms were particularly hazardous environments. For many years, hearing protection was not provided or was impractical given the need to communicate in noisy environments.