Hearing
DVA Tinnitus Payout & Compensation Claims
Tinnitus (the persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears) affects a significant proportion of veterans and is directly linked to noise exposure during service. If you have tinnitus, you have a claimable condition.
Under DVA's Statement of Principles, tinnitus is assessed using the same noise exposure thresholds as sensorineural hearing loss. This means if your hearing loss claim is accepted, your tinnitus claim is almost certainly viable using the same service evidence. Many veterans claim both conditions simultaneously.
Tinnitus is a PAMT-eligible condition, meaning you can access funded treatment (including sound therapy and tinnitus retraining therapy) while your DVA claim is being assessed. You do not need to wait for a determination to start treatment.
Impairment for tinnitus is determined by the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), a 25-question questionnaire measuring how tinnitus affects eight areas of your life. The TFI score maps to impairment points: 0–25 = 0 points, 26–53 = 5 points, 54–72 = 10 points, 73–100 = 15 points. Those boundaries matter. A single point can mean thousands of dollars in compensation difference.
Reviewed by Luke Martin · Co-Founder, Clear Path Veterans · Updated May 2026
Why Tinnitus is common in the ADF
The same environments that cause hearing loss cause tinnitus: weapons ranges, artillery batteries, armoured vehicles, aircraft flight decks, and explosive ordnance disposal. The cochlear damage that produces tinnitus is often permanent, and symptoms can worsen over time even after leaving service.
Tinnitus is frequently dismissed as a minor annoyance, but for many veterans it significantly impacts sleep, concentration, and mental health. Chronic tinnitus has a documented association with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, all of which are separately claimable if service-related.
The SoP definition requires persistence: the tinnitus must intermittently recur without an external stimulus for at least three consecutive months. Temporary ringing after a single noise event does not meet the definition. Clinical onset is the date your symptoms became persistent, not the date of the noise exposure.
Medical access
Provisional Access to Medical Treatment (PAMT)
Tinnitus is on the PAMT list. This means you can access funded medical treatment while your DVA claim is being assessed, you do not need to wait for a liability decision to start treatment.
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) with a qualified audiologist
Sound therapy devices and white noise generators
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for tinnitus management
Audiologist assessments and tinnitus management programs
Deadline: PAMT applications for Tinnitus must be lodged by 30 June 2026. After this date, PAMT will no longer be available as the VETS Act takes effect. Do not wait.
Statement of Principles, in plain English
DVA assesses your claim against a Statement of Principles (SoP). Here are the key factors that most commonly apply to Tinnitus claims, translated from the legal language.
Cumulative noise exposure at work, the primary pathway for most veterans
Exposure to cumulative noise of at least 85 dB(A) LAeq8h for at least 5 years
Acoustic trauma from a single event: explosion, artillery round, weapons fire
Exposure to a peak noise level of at least 130 dB(A) on a single occasion
Otitis media or middle ear infection as a contributing cause
Diagnosed otitis media within the period of service and a plausible connection to current tinnitus
Conditions that commonly develop alongside
Veterans with Tinnitus often develop related conditions that may also be claimable. These are worth assessing at the same time as your primary claim.
What to expect for impairment points
Tinnitus is assessed under GARP M Chapter 7, Table 7.2 (Miscellaneous ENT Disorders). The maximum impairment rating is 15 points, with possible scores of 0, 5, 10, or 15. DVA uses the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) to determine your rating. The TFI must be administered by an audiologist for ratings of 10 or 15 — DVA policy explicitly states that severe to very severe tinnitus cannot be determined by self-assessment alone.
Where veterans commonly lose points: military stoicism leads to downplaying symptoms on the TFI. If your tinnitus wakes you at night, say so. If it makes it hard to follow conversations, say so. Underreporting means a lower score and less compensation.
When claimed alongside hearing loss, tinnitus and hearing loss points are combined using DVA's whole-person impairment formula. A veteran with 10 points for tinnitus and 10 points for hearing loss has a combined ear-related impairment that adds meaningfully to their overall CIS. Claiming both at the same audiologist appointment is the most efficient approach.
If your tinnitus was assessed years ago and has since worsened, you can request a reassessment. DVA policy protects you: if the reassessment produces a lower TFI score than your original, your rating stays at the original level. There is no downside risk to requesting a reassessment.
Use the DVA PI Points CalculatorWhat a strong Tinnitus claim looks like
Audiologist or ENT specialist report confirming the diagnosis of tinnitus and assessing its severity
Service records demonstrating noise-hazardous postings and weapons handling history
Consistent medical history of tinnitus complaints, ideally documented in service medical records
Statement describing when tinnitus started, whether it has worsened, and how it affects daily life (sleep, concentration, work)
If claiming alongside hearing loss, the same audiometric report can support both conditions
DVA currently takes 3–6 months to decide most initial liability claims. Complex or multi-condition claims can take longer. Lodging a complete, decision-ready claim upfront reduces back-and-forth.
Processing times guideCommon questions about Tinnitus claims
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The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Clear Path Veterans Pty Ltd (ABN 78 690 447 879) is not a law firm and our team are not registered legal practitioners. For medical concerns, consult a qualified health professional. For legal advice, consult a lawyer experienced in military compensation law. Individual circumstances vary and outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.