A man from Louisiana alleges that due to the defective nature of 3M Combat Arms earplugs, he developed tinnitus from military service and has been suffering from the effects ever since.

The 3M Combat Arms earplugs used during the claimant’s military training allegedly failed to protect him from the damaging sound effects of gunfire, explosives, and other noises soldiers would encounter during active service.

Plaintiff Alexander F. is a United States Navy veteran who served from May 2017 to September 2018 and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Mississippi. During this time, Alexander says he was issued dual ended Combat Arms earplugs to protect him from the sound effects from guns, explosives, and other loud noises.

Overview of Problems with 3M Combat Arms Earplugs

According to the 3M earplug lawsuit, Alexander was honorably discharged due to asthma and tinnitus in September 2017. Alexander opted to file legal action against 3M Company after reading an announcement made by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in July 2018. The DOJ stated it had reached a $9.1 million settlement, which resolved allegations of False Claims Act violations allegedly made by 3M Company.

The DOJ claimed the company marketed and sold defective Combat Arms earplugs to the United States military, while knowing that the earplugs were too short for proper insertion into the ears. This design defect reportedly caused the earplugs to loosen from their position, which caused Alexander and many other veterans to develop tinnitus from military service.

The 3M Combat Arms earplugs are dual ended, non linear, or selective attenuation products that are designed to provide soldiers with earplugs that can completely block or reduce sounds. When worn in the “open” or “unblocked” position, the earplugs are supposed to block or reduce the intensity of loud impulse sounds like battlefield explosions while allowing soldiers to hear quieter sounds like commands given by fellow soldiers or approaching enemy militants.

These earplugs were originally created by Aero Technologies. The company was acquired by 3M Company in 2008, which hired the employees at Aero who developed and tested the products.

Earplug Allegations

It has been alleged that 3M employees were aware that these earplugs were defective as early as 2000, which was several years before Aero was bought out.

According to the investigation, United States military members were allegedly provided defective 3M Combat Arms earplugs between 2002 and 2015. The earplugs were also standard issued equipment for soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2002 and 2015. This means that numerous United States military veterans may have developed tinnitus from military service that would not have developed with properly functioning earplugs.

Tinnitus happens when the patient hears a ringing sound when no source of the sound is present. The sound may range in volume and pitch and can cause severe anxiety and depression in some patients.

Alexander is one of many patients who reportedly developed long lasting injuries due to the defective earplugs, and who alleges tinnitus and other long term injuries. At all times relevant, Alexander says he used the earplugs according to product instructions and relied on the claims made by 3M at the time he entered military service.

This 3M Earplug Lawsuit is Case No. 2:19-cv-01731-SM-MBN, in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Louisiana.