Man blames Swedish air force for tinnitus

[tigershark]

This guy claims Gripen fighter planes in lovely Sweden have cause him to have a hearing problem.   Wanted to know if this is a real issue or somebody just trying to win a law suit for money?   In the US we have many people who claim things or go as far falling on purpose and so on for claims.   In the United States when things like this happen and reaches the press we say this will open "a can or worms" , meaning more will follow now.   Would the government have his hearing tested for a claim like this?  I would think if you live near an air force base you'll hear jets?  The articles pretty short and doesn't give much details. 

The whole story
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2007/07/06/man_blames_swedish_air_force_for_tinnitus/1053/

[Globetrotter]

Ah... he should be happy to have a Gripen over his head!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gripen]

Occupation health and safety issue. DEAL WITH IT.

[Viggen]

Yes its for real. But i dont belive he has a chance to win in court.

Story goes that the pilot flew lower then allowed according to the guy.  The sound damaged his hearing, now he wants compensation from the airforce. The only way he can win in court is if they can prove that the pilot did break the allowed limit.

I really doubt that the pilot did. Besides that, i have myself been surprised by fast moving Viggens at low altitude and my hearing is fine. The Gripen is defenatly not as loud as the Viggen.  However the guy might have had a hearing problem earlier and this incident might just pushed his hearing beyond the limit, causing the tinnitus. 

[Gripen]

Its amazing what people will do for money.

Sorta wrecks things.