British veterans claim tinnitus caused by faulty earplugs
British military personnel have started legal action due to being issued with inadequate protection against noise damage.
Tinnitus UK understands that thousands of British military personnel have started legal action due to being issued with what they say was inadequate protection against noise damage. They are experiencing hearing loss and tinnitus, they claim, as a result.
Tinnitus is the perception of a sound when no actual external noise is present. Some people hear ringing, some a whistle and others a whooshing sound, it varies from one person to another. 1 in 7 people in the UK have tinnitus, and while most people cope well with it and get used to it, 15% of people with it experience distress and the impact can be devastating.
Alex Brooks-Johnson, CEO at Tinnitus UK said, “It is hard to understand what it is like to live with a constant noise in your head unless you have it, and no one really understands how it can affect some people one way and others another way.” He added, “First and foremost, for all the veterans struggling to cope with tinnitus, there is hope. That’s why we exist, to provide people who have it with an empathetic safe harbour. Our helpline and our website help hundreds of thousands of people every year cope with tinnitus, and I would urge them to contact us.”
Some studies[1] have suggested that military personnel are twice as likely to have tinnitus compared to the general population due to the exposure to noise. This is one of the reasons Tinnitus UK have partnered with the Veterans Welfare Group to form a specialist support group. Here, former military personnel with tinnitus can share their stories with others who find themselves in a similar position, and receive advice and guidance on how to deal with tinnitus. You can find more details on the armed forces hub.
While people are often told that there is no cure for tinnitus, this isn’t the complete answer and very unhelpful. There are many different methods for treating tinnitus and, in most cases, people will recover from the initial distress to a point where they can live well with tinnitus. We are here for everyone on their tinnitus journey.
[1] Theodoroff & Konrad-Martin, (2022) ‘Acoustic Trauma and Tinnitus, the US Military Experience’