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Deafness fears for Afghan troops Deafness fears for Afghan troops
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of UK soldiers are reportedly returning from Afghanistan with severe or permanent hearing damage.Hundreds of UK soldiers are reportedly returning from Afghanistan with severe or permanent hearing damage.
Problems ranging from tinnitus to total deafness are said to have been brought on by roadside bombs, close-combat clashes and coalition aircraft.Problems ranging from tinnitus to total deafness are said to have been brought on by roadside bombs, close-combat clashes and coalition aircraft.
The Times, which obtained data from the Ministry of Defence through freedom of information requests, said affected personnel were often undeployable.The Times, which obtained data from the Ministry of Defence through freedom of information requests, said affected personnel were often undeployable.
The MoD said earplugs are given to all troops and now have an improved design.The MoD said earplugs are given to all troops and now have an improved design.
'Taken seriously''Taken seriously'
In the past, personnel have said they have lost awareness of events when using ear plugs and cannot hear commands, so chose not to wear them.In the past, personnel have said they have lost awareness of events when using ear plugs and cannot hear commands, so chose not to wear them.
An MoD spokesman said it takes the issue of hearing loss seriously.An MoD spokesman said it takes the issue of hearing loss seriously.
"Although the majority of hearing impairment cases cannot be directly attributed to deployment we are continually looking at ways of monitoring and mitigating the risk in operational scenarios."Although the majority of hearing impairment cases cannot be directly attributed to deployment we are continually looking at ways of monitoring and mitigating the risk in operational scenarios.
"We have issued an improved double-ended ear plug to all deploying troops to protect against impulse or steady state noise, and the Surgeon General is establishing a defence-wide noise induced hearing loss working group to develop a robust defence hearing programme.""We have issued an improved double-ended ear plug to all deploying troops to protect against impulse or steady state noise, and the Surgeon General is establishing a defence-wide noise induced hearing loss working group to develop a robust defence hearing programme."
The Conservatives said the issue should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Speaking in the Commons, shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said: "I really do regret the statement from the MoD that said the 'majority of hearing impairment cases cannot be directly attributed to deployment'.
"It sounds like a classic washing of the hands, which will not be sufficient."
According to the MoD figures obtained by The Times, 37 out of 411 soldiers in the Grenadier Guards reported hearing problems classified as impaired or worse.According to the MoD figures obtained by The Times, 37 out of 411 soldiers in the Grenadier Guards reported hearing problems classified as impaired or worse.
There is no cure for noise-induced hearing loss, but it is 100% preventable Jackie Ballard RNID chief executiveThere is no cure for noise-induced hearing loss, but it is 100% preventable Jackie Ballard RNID chief executive
The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglians, which returned from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan last October, saw nearly 240 out of 691 soldiers with hearing conditions.The 1st Battalion The Royal Anglians, which returned from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan last October, saw nearly 240 out of 691 soldiers with hearing conditions.
As many as 35 of its soldiers were categorised as either undeployable or with limited deployment potential.As many as 35 of its soldiers were categorised as either undeployable or with limited deployment potential.
The 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), which also returned to the UK in October, had 34 out of 555 soldiers with problems.The 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), which also returned to the UK in October, had 34 out of 555 soldiers with problems.
Two Royal Marines units also reported similar conditions - 45 Commando saw 31 out of 963 personnel affected and 40 Commando Royal Marines, 28 cases out of 771.Two Royal Marines units also reported similar conditions - 45 Commando saw 31 out of 963 personnel affected and 40 Commando Royal Marines, 28 cases out of 771.
The Royal British Legion said it had helped personnel deal with 1,195 hearing loss compensation claims against the MoD since 2005.The Royal British Legion said it had helped personnel deal with 1,195 hearing loss compensation claims against the MoD since 2005.
The Royal National Institute for the Deaf, which has been campaigning for improved ear protection for service personnel, said deafness was an "invisible disability" that was often overlooked.The Royal National Institute for the Deaf, which has been campaigning for improved ear protection for service personnel, said deafness was an "invisible disability" that was often overlooked.
Jackie Ballard, RNID chief executive, said: "There is no cure for noise-induced hearing loss, but it is 100% preventable.Jackie Ballard, RNID chief executive, said: "There is no cure for noise-induced hearing loss, but it is 100% preventable.
"If the current earplugs are not providing adequate protection, RNID would welcome working with the MoD and with soldiers to explore better ways of ensure hearing protection and of raising awareness.""If the current earplugs are not providing adequate protection, RNID would welcome working with the MoD and with soldiers to explore better ways of ensure hearing protection and of raising awareness."