3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs Lawsuit

The 3M earplugs issued to soldiers on the frontlines did not perform as the company said they would. These defective devices had a dual-ended design – one side of the earplugs allowed soldiers to hear speech and the other hand provided increased protection from dangerously high volumes. This design, however, resulted in a short stem that did not go deep enough into the ear to provide adequate protection. Soldiers wearing these earplugs would then be exposed to harmful levels of sounds such as gunfire, explosions, and machinery. Claims of hearing damage and tinnitus have increased significantly due to this design defect.

Hearing damage and tinnitus are the most common health problems associated with veterans and providing troops with these earplugs will only make this issue worse.

The most common health disability for military personnel and the third most common for U.S. citizens is hearing loss¹. This condition could be long-term or in some case permanent. It is essential to follow hearing damage prevention techniques such as wearing ear protection. Hundreds of brave U.S. troops were given earplugs for this very reason but were being lied to by the manufacturing company. 3M’s military earplugs could potentially be responsible for hundreds of soldiers and veterans’ hearing damage cases.

This condition will worsen as time goes on and it will become increasingly difficult to hear others speak. A person experiencing hearing loss may suddenly become sensitive to normal volume levels and begin to hear ringing in the ears. The ability to hear correctly will gradually fade away.

According to the lawsuit, the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms earplugs were manufactured by Aearo Technologies initially. Aearo Technologies was acquired by 3M in 2008 and was alleged to have known about the design defects in the year 2000. There is also a complaint that 3M and Aearo Technologies manipulated test results to pass the minimum requirements of the U.S. Government for products. Fraudulent activities such as this would then be punished by the government who would demand damages be paid by 3M. These monetary damages were paid because of the financial loss that the government will incur due to the purchase of these earplugs and various medical expenses. These medical expenses are associated with the aid given to veterans who suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus caused by the defective earplugs.

3M Company had the responsibility to perform appropriate tests or to redesign the earplugs but failed to do so. As a result, 3M put many military troops at an increased risk of hearing loss and tinnitus. 3M knowingly sold defective products to the U.S. military and left our troops poorly protected.

A competitor of 3M, Modlex-Metric began a whistleblower lawsuit under the False Claims Acts against 3M⁴. This act allowed Modlex-Metric to sue 3M for fraudulent activity on behalf of the U.S. Government. Moldex-Metric ended up receiving $1.9 million of a $9.1 million settlement.

• Are You A U.S. Veteran Or Are Currently Enlisted In The U.S. Military?
• Do You Suffer From Hearing Loss Or Tinnitus?
• Have You Been Issued 3M Combat Arms Earplugs During Your Time In The Military?

If you have answered yes to the three questions above, then you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. When 3M agreed to pay the $9.1 million, all allegations that they knowingly sold defective earplugs were resolved. To receive compensation for your hearing loss or tinnitus, you should speak with an experienced attorney.