3M is facing multiple lawsuits from former military members, alleging that the company knowingly sold defective 3M ear plugs to the U.S. military for use during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

According to an article by the Chicago Sun Times, 3M previously settled a whistleblower lawsuit regarding its military ear plugs in July 2018. This $9.1 million settlement resolved claims including that 3M knowingly withheld details of the alleged defects from the government. The settlement did not require the company to admit any liability.

The plaintiffs in several new lawsuits lodged against 3M are looking to hold the company accountable, as well as pursue compensation for injuries and suffering.

Allegations Regarding 3M Ear Plugs

One new lawsuit against 3M, filed by a former Army medic, claims that the 3M ear plugs caused him to suffer permanent hearing loss and tinnitus due to their defective nature. Plaintiff Eric T. of Illinois stated in a news release regarding his lawsuit, “You feel betrayed when something that was supposed to help keep you safe doesn’t work properly.”

Another recent lawsuit filed on Feb. 25 alleges that 3M was aware that their military ear plugs did not meet the specifications required by the U.S. Government. Plaintiff James H. of California claims to have been an active duty military member from 1993 to 2015. Before his military service, James claims that he had never suffered any symptoms of hearing loss. However, he now claims to have been diagnosed with tinnitus and hearing loss post-service.

According to his lawsuit, the 3M earplugs did not properly fit into the ears of most users, himself included, causing the plugs to lose their seal. When this happens, the plugs lose their effectiveness in protecting the wearer from hearing loss and hearing injuries.

Other veterans, including Joseph J. and David H., told CBS News of their own experiences with 3M earplugs. Joseph served in the Army for three years after growing up in a military family and David served for six years after feeling he owed a duty to the country after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

During both of their deployments, the men reportedly used 3M earplugs to protect their ears during both training and combat. The men allegedly believed that these devices would protect them from the loud sounds and preserve their hearing while they were close to small arms, heavy artillery, and rockets.

“We were told these devices are gonna save our hearing and that’s what we did. We used them,” David told CBS. “I mean, the basic expectation is that you can rely on your training and your equipment […] Everybody was just under the impression that these particular earplugs were doing their job.”

Joseph shared similar sentiments.

“We’ve just been told that, ‘This is the equipment you get and it’s the best out there. It’s gonna save your hearing,’ Joseph recalled. “Later on, we found out that it didn’t really protect our hearing that much at all.”

However, the earplugs allegedly failed the men. After returning home, both Joseph and David reportedly suffer from partial hearing loss and tinnitus. Joseph says that he is always the most affected by the ringing in his ears when it is quiet.

“What is quiet? What’s peace? I know for me personally, I don’t have it. All I hear is ringing if there’s no noise around me,” Joseph lamented. “If I do not have noise around me, it’s maddening. It is torture.”

About Military Ear Plugs

Earplugs are necessary for military personnel to provide hearing-loss protection from explosions and firearms during training exercises and combat.

Military members may be exposed to loud noises from gunfire, tanks, aircraft, bombs, heavy equipment, and more. Hearing loss from noise exposure can be devastating and long lasting. Hearing loss or deafness may lead to anxiety, depression, embarrassment, or social isolation.

Tinnitus, or a ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in the ears may also occur with noise exposure. Tinnitus may affect concentration, sleeping ability or schedule, and may lead to anxiety, depression, or memory problems for the person affected.

Veterans and military members who were issued military ear plugs between 2002 and 2015 and suffered hearing loss, tinnitus, or other hearing-related issues may qualify to join a lawsuit or investigation regarding defective ear plugs.

Potentially thousands of U.S. service members may have been affected by the allegedly defective 3M ear plugs. Military members who were harmed by these plugs may be eligible to receive significant compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, and impairment.