Tinnitus

This guide covers what DVA looks for when assessing this condition, including the relevant Statement of Principles factors, the evidence you should gather, and common preparation tips. Expand each section for more detail.

You are reviewing the condition-specific guidance to understand what evidence and preparation DVA expects.

Hearing EligibleVETS Act 2026

Tinnitus is a persistent ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other noise in one or both ears that is not caused by an external sound. It is extremely common among veterans due to exposure to loud noise during service — weapons fire, machinery, aircraft, and explosions. Tinnitus is commonly claimed alongside sensorineural hearing loss. The SoP recognises acoustic trauma at peak levels of 140 dB(C) or cumulative exposure above 85 dB(A) LAeq,8h as causative factors. Under current DVA rules, tinnitus remains a separately compensable condition and does not strictly require compensable hearing loss to be accepted. These thresholds are from current SoP instruments. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au.

Provisional Access to Medical Treatment ()Tinnitus is on the PAMT list. Treatment may be available while your claim is assessed.

DVA uses Statements of Principles () from the Repatriation Medical Authority to determine whether a condition can be linked to service. For Tinnitus, DVA generally considers the following factors:

Exposure to a peak sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane of at least 140 dB(C) — this includes weapons fire, explosions, and similar loud events
Chronic noise exposure — being exposed to a noise level of 85 dB(A) or more for at least a cumulative period of two years during service
Acute acoustic trauma — a single event or short-duration noise exposure that damages hearing
Head injury or blast injury during service that affected the ear or auditory system
Certain medications used during service that are known to cause tinnitus (ototoxic medications)
Having sensorineural hearing loss that is linked to service

Reference: SoP No. 84 of 2020 (Reasonable Hypothesis) / SoP No. 85 of 2020 (Balance of Probabilities). RH applies to operational/warlike service; BoP applies to peacetime service. Tinnitus is separately compensable and does not require compensable hearing loss. Verify at rma.gov.au.Source: rma.gov.au — verify this directly with DVA for your circumstances.

DVA uses two different standards of proof depending on your type of service. Understanding which applies to you can help you prepare your evidence.

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH)Applies to: operational, warlike, or non-warlike serviceUnder the Reasonable Hypothesis standard (operational/warlike/non-warlike service), DVA generally considers that exposure to noise levels above specified thresholds during service — such as weapons fire, explosions, or prolonged machinery noise — with clinical onset of tinnitus is sufficient to raise a reasonable hypothesis.

Balance of Probabilities (BoP)Applies to: peacetime serviceUnder the Balance of Probabilities standard (peacetime service), DVA generally considers that the veteran must show it is more likely than not that tinnitus was caused by noise exposure or other factors during service.

In plain EnglishIf you had operational or warlike service, the Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) standard applies — this is a lower threshold. If your service was peacetime only, the stricter Balance of Probabilities (BoP) standard applies. Tinnitus is one of the most commonly accepted conditions because military service frequently involves significant noise exposure. SoP instruments are updated periodically by the RMA. Always verify the current instrument at rma.gov.au/sops.

Benefit of the doubt: DVA is legally required to give you the benefit of the doubt if evidence is evenly balanced (s119 , s335 ). Learn more

DVA generally considers the standard of proof based on your service type. Verify this directly with DVA or a qualified advocate.

When you lodge a tinnitus claim, you may be asked about how your condition relates to your service. The factors below are drawn from the published RMA Statements of Principles for tinnitus. Understanding them can help you prepare your evidence and know what to expect.

RH + BoPApplies under both and

RH onlyOperational/warlike service only

BoP onlyPeacetime service only

Factors relating to onset

RH + BoPOnsetBefore clinical onset

Exposure to a peak sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane of at least 140 dB(C) — this includes weapons fire, explosions, and similar loud eventsEvidence that may help: Service records showing weapons training, deployments, or incidents involving loud noise

RH + BoPOnsetBefore clinical onset

Being exposed to a noise level of at least 85 dB(A) LAeq,8h for a cumulative period of at least two years during serviceEvidence that may help: Service records showing occupation, trade, or posting to noisy environments (e.g. infantry, artillery, aviation, engineering)

RH + BoPOnsetBefore clinical onset

Acute acoustic trauma — a single event or short-duration noise exposure that damaged hearing during serviceEvidence that may help: Incident report, medical records of the event, or statutory declaration describing the event

RH + BoPOnsetBefore clinical onset

Head injury or blast injury during service that affected the ear or auditory system

RH + BoPOnsetWithin a relevant period before clinical onset

Receiving an ototoxic substance (medication known to cause tinnitus) during service

RH + BoPOnsetAt time of clinical onset

Having sensorineural hearing loss that is linked to serviceEvidence that may help: Audiogram showing hearing loss, or DVA acceptance letter for hearing loss if already accepted

Factors relating to worsening

RH + BoPWorseningAt time of clinical worsening

Inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for tinnitus

Source: SoP No. 84 of 2020 (RH) / SoP No. 85 of 2020 (BoP). Effective 27 April 2020. Data last verified 2026-04-12.View current SoPs at rma.gov.au

These factors are drawn from published RMA Statements of Principles. They may not reflect the most recent updates. The actual claim form may present questions differently. This is a guide only — always verify with DVA directly or with a qualified advocate before lodging a claim.

Required

Audiological assessment confirming tinnitusA report from an audiologist confirming the presence of tinnitus. This should include a full audiogram and tinnitus assessment.How to get it: Ask your GP for a referral to an audiologist. Let them know it is for a DVA claim. The audiologist will conduct hearing tests and assess your tinnitus.Estimated time: 2-4 weeks

Service records showing noise exposureDocumentation of your role, postings, and activities that involved noise exposure. This includes weapons training records, deployment records, trade or occupation details.How to get it: Request your service records from Defence. Your trade or occupation alone may be sufficient to establish noise exposure — for example, infantry, artillery, aviation, engineering, or armoured corps roles all involve significant noise.Estimated time: 4-8 weeks

Medical report or statement confirming tinnitus and linking it to noise exposureA report from an ENT specialist or audiologist that confirms your tinnitus and provides an opinion on its cause.How to get it: Ask your GP for a referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist if needed. An audiologist can also provide this opinion in many cases.Estimated time: 2-6 weeks

Personal statement about noise exposure and tinnitus impactYour description of the noise you were exposed to during service and how tinnitus affects your daily life.How to get it: Write this yourself. Be specific about the types of noise, how often you were exposed, and what hearing protection was available.

Buddy statements confirming noise exposureStatements from colleagues who served in the same environment and can confirm the noise levels.How to get it: Ask former service members to write and sign statements about the noise conditions you shared.

Tips for this condition

DVA generally considers well-documented noise exposure during service to be relevant evidence for tinnitus claims
DVA generally considers your military occupation or trade to be relevant evidence of noise exposure — DVA maintains records of which trades involve hazardous noise
If you also have hearing loss, claim both tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss together
Even if you used hearing protection, DVA generally acknowledges that early military-issue hearing protection was often inadequate
Do not understate the impact of tinnitus — describe how it affects your sleep, concentration, mood, and quality of life

Medical nexus statement (from your doctor)

A medical or audiological opinion linking your tinnitus to noise exposure during military service.

What to ask your doctor

I am making a DVA claim for tinnitus. I was exposed to loud noise during my service as a [trade/role]. Could you write a report for my claim?
I have had ringing in my ears since my service. I need a medical report linking this to noise exposure for my DVA claim.

Personal statement (your own words)

Start with your service history and the noise you were exposed to. Describe specific events or ongoing noise exposure. Then explain when you first noticed the ringing and how it affects you now.

Suggested structure

Your military trade or occupation and the types of noise you were exposed to
Specific examples of loud noise events (weapons firing, explosions, aircraft, machinery)
What hearing protection was available and whether it was adequate
When you first noticed the tinnitus
How tinnitus affects your daily life — sleep, concentration, mood, ability to hear conversations

Common mistakes to avoid

✗Not describing specific noise exposure — be as detailed as you can about types and frequency
✗Forgetting to mention the lack of or inadequacy of hearing protection
✗Not describing the current impact on daily life

Mistakes veterans commonly make when claiming for Tinnitus, and how to avoid them.

Not getting a formal audiological assessmentGet a full audiological assessment from a qualified audiologist before lodging your claim.

Not claiming hearing loss at the same timeAsk your audiologist to assess for both tinnitus and hearing loss. If you have both, claim them together.

Understating the impact on daily lifeDescribe the full impact — sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, difficulty hearing conversations, emotional frustration.

Treatments DVA may cover

Hearing aids and tinnitus masking devices covered by DVA through Australian Hearing
Audiological management and counselling
Tinnitus retraining therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for tinnitus distress
Medications if needed for associated sleep difficulties or distress

Next steps to consider

Proceed to a Permanent Impairment claim — tinnitus is generally considered permanent and stable
Claim sensorineural hearing loss if you have not already
Access hearing aids through DVA — these are provided at no cost
Consider whether tinnitus has contributed to any mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, sleep disorders) and claim those as secondary

Actual entitlements depend on individual DVA assessment. This is indicative only.

Ready to take the next step?

You do not need to have everything ready before you start. Use these tools to work through the process at your own pace.

Check My Eligibility Build Evidence Checklist View Forms How to Lodge

Official + GuidanceVerified March 2026

This page combines official DVA information with platform-authored guidance. Official sources are cited where applicable.

SoP factors sourced from RMA. Guidance text explains official processes in plain language.

RMA — Statements of Principles

This is a guide onlyThis information is a free guide. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or financial advice. Always verify with DVA directly or with a qualified advocate before lodging a claim.

When you are readyBuild your evidence checklist

Tinnitus

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