A former soldier has accused the Army of failing to adequately compensate him for hearing loss he says was caused by his service in combat.
Chris Draper, 42, from Shropshire, told reports he now relies on hearing aids after suffering permanent damage to his ears from exposure to “guns and bombs” during his military career. Despite being medically discharged in 2010 due to his condition, Draper is now challenging the Army’s compensation offer, calling it inadequate.
“I went for a hearing test before my Afghanistan deployment and I failed,” Draper explained. “It was then that a medical officer told me I’d no longer be cleared for deployment. That’s when I left the Army.”
A Life-Long Condition
Draper, who served in the Irish Guards for 11 years, was diagnosed with significant hearing loss and tinnitus, conditions that are common among veterans who have been exposed to loud combat noises. Despite his ongoing health issues, he believes the £5,000 he received as compensation is not enough to cover the physical and emotional toll the hearing loss has had on his life.
“I was fitted with two massive hearing aids before I even turned 40,” Draper said. “I’m now living with constant tinnitus, which has become part of my daily life. The pain of having to rely on hearing aids for the rest of my life is something I believe I should have been compensated for properly.”
Fighting for Fair Compensation
After leaving the Army, Draper applied for compensation, receiving an initial £5,000. In 2010, he was given an additional £180 as an inflation adjustment. However, Draper believes the sums don’t reflect the reality of living with hearing loss and the impact it has had on his quality of life.
He is now pursuing a case through a private law firm to seek further compensation.
“I don’t think it’s enough,” Draper said. “It’s not just about the money. It’s about acknowledging the sacrifices we made and the toll it’s taken on our bodies.”
Between 2012 and 2020, the Ministry of Defence paid £72 million in compensation for military-related hearing loss, with more than 9,000 claims settled during that period.
Ministry of Defence Responds
While the Ministry of Defence (MOD) did not comment specifically on Draper’s case, a spokesperson stated that the government is committed to providing support to veterans. They emphasised that veterans should be able to access the care they deserve through the NHS and specialist services such as Op Courage, which provides healthcare support to veterans in England.
“We are committed to ensuring that military personnel and veterans are supported in their healthcare needs,” the spokesperson said. “Veterans should be able to access the specialist medical care they need through NHS services, including mental health support.”
More Than a Compensation Issue
Alongside his legal battle, Draper has trained as a mental health coach, helping other veterans who face the same challenges. He remains determined to make sure the voices of those affected by military-related injuries are heard.
“My hearing loss is just one of the things I’ve had to deal with. But it’s more than just compensation; it’s about ensuring our wellbeing as veterans is taken seriously.”
