Awareness of deafness and hearing problems among troops 'rising'

There is a rising awareness of hearing loss and deafness among troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has been suggested.

According to Professor Haggard - who has been an adviser to Deafness Research UK for over 20 years and is now an honorary vice president - politicians and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have recognised the need to engage external experts to help.

Writing in Defence Management, he noted that attempts are being made to help specify the nature and scale of the issue, potentially meaning members of the armed forces who suffer damage to their ears will find it easier to secure compensation.

Professor Haggard went on to state that Deafness Research UK - which was established as a registered charity in 1985 by the profoundly deaf Jack Ashely and his late wife - is involved in the discussions with the MoD concerning the present position.

The organisation is also suggesting the next steps that should be taken in order to deal with the problem, the expert went on to state.