A former soldier in the Parachute Regiment is suing the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) for over £700,000, claiming that excessive noise exposure during his military service led to life-changing hearing damage, including significant hearing loss and tinnitus. Cleophys Hoare, 34, alleges that while serving for a decade, he was subjected to harmful noise levels from military aircraft engines and gunfire during training and operations.
Hoare, who was medically discharged in 2024, asserts that he was not adequately protected from the noise. According to court documents, he was unable to wear over-ear defenders because they were incompatible with the helmets required for parachute jumps. This left him reliant on earplugs while seated near aircraft engines on transport planes such as the C130 Hercules and Airbus A400M Atlas. His legal team also noted that exposure to the noise of machine guns, assault rifles, grenades, and flashbangs during training at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick further exacerbated his hearing issues.
The former lance corporal stated that his hearing impairment affects nearly all aspects of his daily life, making it difficult to hear his doorbell, washing machine, and the microwave's signal. His legal team also highlighted that he has been diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, finding the transition to civilian life challenging due to his auditory and mental health struggles, including poor sleep and concentration.
The MoD has accepted liability for 90% of any damages awarded but disputes the extent of Hoare's injuries and whether his military service was the primary cause. Defence documents acknowledge that the noise levels encountered during his service were capable of causing harm. However, MoD lawyers argue that Hoare must still prove the precise extent of his injuries and demonstrate that military noise exposure significantly contributed to them.
Hoare served in the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment from 2014 to 2020 before transferring to the Royal Logistics Corps until his discharge in 2024. His barrister, Sabrina Hartshorn, informed the court that he regularly experienced ringing in his ears after firing weapons, which sometimes persisted for days. She also noted that over-ear defenders were deemed less important than wearing a helmet during parachute jumps, leading to his reliance on ear buds.
The case is currently before the High Court in London for a procedural hearing. Hoare's solicitor, Sam Edwards, indicated that while the full quantification of the claim is ongoing, it is already valued at over £700,000. The matter is scheduled for a full trial unless a settlement is reached.