Dignity Denied: Why Justice for Veterans With Hearing Loss Cannot Wait Any Longer
They trained hard, followed orders, served their country, and carried the weight of duty with pride. And yet, thousands of British veterans now live with permanent hearing loss caused by military service — unacknowledged, unsupported, and in many cases, denied basic compensation simply because they served before an arbitrary cut-off date.
At Justice4Heroes, we believe this is not just a legal issue. It’s a matter of dignity.
This is a generation that kept silent about their struggles, often out of pride or a sense of duty. But now they are being kept silent by the very system that promised to have their back.
It is time for that silence to end.
A Common Injury, Uncommonly Ignored
Hearing loss is one of the most widespread injuries among military personnel. It can be caused by repeated exposure to loud environments: gunfire, engine rooms, explosions, aircraft, heavy machinery and training grounds. And for those who served before 1987, hearing protection was often limited, ineffective or not provided at all.
Unlike visible wounds, hearing loss is invisible. It doesn't bleed or break. But it can affect every part of a veteran’s life:
Difficulty holding conversations
Social withdrawal due to embarrassment
Strain on relationships and family life
Frustration, depression, and anxiety
Job limitations in civilian careers
Isolation and reduced confidence
Despite the clear link between military service and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), veterans who left before 6 April 1987 remain excluded from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
Their injuries are real. Their suffering is measurable. But the door to justice has been slammed shut — and labelled “too late.”
Why the 1987 Cut-Off Is Unfair
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) only applies to injuries sustained on or after 6 April 2005, and its predecessor, the War Pension Scheme, covers those injured before 2005 — but only if they applied within a narrow timeframe after leaving service.
For many, especially those who served before 1987, hearing loss took years to surface. Symptoms like tinnitus or gradual deafness were either dismissed or accepted as “just getting older.” By the time they realised it was service-related, they had long passed any chance of making a claim.
The result is a generation of ex-servicemen and women who:
Weren’t warned of the long-term risks
Weren’t given adequate protection
Didn’t know they had a claim
Now have no legal route to redress
In other words, they followed the rules — and have been punished for doing so.
A Matter of Dignity
Veterans affected by service-related hearing loss aren’t looking for charity. They aren’t demanding special treatment. What they want is simple: recognition, fairness, and respect.
Many feel ashamed to ask for help. They’ve been taught to carry on, to make do. But behind closed doors, they are struggling.
They mishear their grandchildren.
They avoid social events.
They feel embarrassed in public.
They retreat from the world they once helped defend.
And when they finally do speak up, they’re told it’s too late. No apology. No route forward. Just bureaucracy.
That’s not how we treat heroes.
A Growing Public Outcry
In recent years, public awareness of this injustice has grown. Families are speaking out. Veterans’ groups are campaigning. Journalists and MPs are asking questions. Yet policy has not caught up with the reality on the ground.
In 2025, Justice4Heroes launched a parliamentary petition to demand change. Our call is clear:
That the UK Government acknowledge and compensate veterans who developed hearing loss due to military service before 1987.
The petition has gained thousands of signatures — but we need many more for Parliament to take meaningful notice.
Real Stories, Real People
This is not an abstract issue. These are real lives affected.
George, 72, Royal Navy Veteran
Spent ten years in engine rooms aboard Royal Navy vessels. He now lives with constant tinnitus and needs two hearing aids.
“They told us to stick cotton wool in our ears. That was the solution back then. Now I can’t hear my wife from the next room, and they’re saying it’s nothing to do with them.”
Linda, 66, RAF Ground Crew
Worked near jet engines in the 1970s. Only recently connected her hearing loss to her service.
“I didn’t even think of it as a claim — I just wanted someone to say, ‘Yes, this happened to you.’ But the system isn’t interested.”
Dave, 69, Army Mechanic
Lost partial hearing during live fire training.
“If I’d lost a limb, I’d have been seen. But because it’s in my ears, I get nothing.”
Why Civilian Understanding Matters
Many civilians don’t realise how widespread hearing loss is in the veteran community. They assume compensation is automatic, or that only visible injuries are covered. This misunderstanding leads to a lack of support, both socially and politically.
That’s why public awareness is critical. Sharing stories, educating local communities, and encouraging civilian allies to sign the petition helps build momentum.
This isn’t just a veterans’ issue. It’s a national duty of care issue.
What Needs to Change
Justice4Heroes is calling for:
A review of the 1987 cut-off and eligibility for those with proven service-related hearing loss
A new claims route for veterans previously excluded from compensation due to time limits
An official acknowledgement that service before 1987 carried known hearing risks
A commitment to better education for current and future veterans about long-term injury risks
This is not about opening the floodgates. It’s about opening the door to dignity.
What You Can Do
If you are a veteran:
Don’t dismiss your hearing issues as “just ageing”
Speak to your GP about a hearing assessment
Sign and share the petition
Visit www.justice4heroes.org to explore support
Share your story — privately or publicly — to help others understand they are not alone
If you are a family member:
Encourage your loved one to get checked
Support them in signing the petition or accessing information
Understand that frustration or withdrawal may be linked to hearing struggles, not personality
If you are a civilian:
Sign and share the petition
Ask your local MP to support the campaign
Help break the silence by raising awareness in your networks
Final Thoughts
Veterans answered the call when they were needed.
Now it is our turn to answer theirs.
Sign the official petition to ensure justice for pre-1987 veterans living with service-related hearing loss:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/715800
Visit www.justice4heroes.org to learn how we’re supporting veterans through awareness, claims help and connection
This is not just about money.
It is about dignity.
Let’s restore it — together.
