FORMER PARACHUTE REGIMENT SOLDIER SUES MOD FOR £700,000 OVER HEARING LOSS

Cleophys Hoare, a former infantryman with the Parachute Regiment, is suing the Ministry of Defence for more than £700,000 in compensation at the High Court in London. Mr Hoare claims he sustained significant hearing loss during his service owing to exposure to excessive noise from military aircraft and gunfire. He states he was medically discharged from the Army in 2024 as a result of the injury. According to his legal representatives, he now struggles to hear everyday sounds including his doorbell, microwave and washing machine, and says the hearing damage has affected his mental health.

Mr Hoare served with the Third Battalion of the Parachute Regiment between 2014 and 2020, followed by service in the Royal Logistics Corps until his discharge. His barrister states that during training at ITC Catterick he was exposed to gunfire from machine guns, assault rifles, grenades and flashbangs. He performed approximately 30 parachute jumps whilst stationed at Merville Barracks in Colchester and RAF Brize Norton. His legal team contends that whilst parachuting, he could only wear ear plugs rather than over-the-ear defenders, as the latter were incompatible with parachute helmets. He reports experiencing ringing in his ears after firing weapons, which would persist for several days.

The MoD has stated it will pay 90 per cent of any damages awarded once the compensation amount is determined. However, the department is requiring Mr Hoare to establish that his military service was the cause of his hearing loss. The case will proceed through the High Court to determine both liability and the extent of compensation owed.