Royal Air Force (RAF) Hearing Loss & Tinnitus Claims
Last updated: April 2026
Royal Air Force 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 Air Force
- Jet engine noise (Typhoon, Tornado, Hawk) — 120-140dB
- Propeller aircraft (Hercules, King Air)
- Helicopter operations (Chinook, Puma, Griffin)
- Aircraft maintenance workshops and hangars
- Ground support equipment and auxiliary power units
- Weapons ranges and live fire exercises
Most At-Risk Roles
Aircraft Technicians / Ground Crew
Maintaining and servicing aircraft on the flight line exposes ground crew to jet engine noise at close range, often for hours at a time. This is one of the highest-risk roles.
Air Loadmasters
Working inside transport aircraft like the Hercules, loadmasters are exposed to sustained engine and airflow noise during flights lasting several hours.
RAF Regiment
The RAF Regiment performs ground defence and force protection. Personnel are exposed to weapons fire and vehicle noise similar to army infantry roles.
Aircrew
Pilots and navigators experience cockpit noise, communication headset use, and ejection seat noise. Long careers result in cumulative hearing damage.
Historical Context
The RAF has used progressively louder aircraft from piston engines through to modern jet fighters. Ground crew working on flight lines before the introduction of proper hearing protection programmes in the 1990s were especially vulnerable. Even modern hearing protection can be inadequate for the extreme noise levels of jet engines.