Aearo Technologies Inc. began marketing earplugs for members of the military in 2003. In 2008, 3M Company bought the manufacturer and continued to provide the earplugs for soldiers to protect their hearing during combat.
Exposure to loud noises, such as explosions and gunfire, is common for military members during combat and training. 3M earplugs are supposed to protect a person’s hearing by blocking out most of the noise around them.
Unfortunately, many former military personnel have suffered severe injuries, including hearing loss, due to the defective design of the earplugs.
The design of the 3M earplugs allows soldiers to adjust the amount of sound they hear. Military members can wear the earplugs in one of two ways:
Soldiers need to remain alert during combat while also communicating clearly with others. Unfortunately, exposure to extreme noises and sounds while training on base and while working in combat zones can affect hearing.
Hearing loss and other issues affecting the eardrums have been a common problem among members of the military. Using earplugs can help block unnecessary and damaging noise.
The manufacturer of 3M earplugs designed them precisely for this use. The product allows everyone to protect their eardrums without compromising their ability to perform their duties.
Most people in the military have to deal with frequent or occasional exposure to high-frequency noises. Anyone deployed to another country to participate in combat needs earplugs to prevent hearing loss.
Exposure to sounds caused by gunfire, RPGs, engines, and other sources can result in a range of medical problems, such as:
Hearing loss, also referred to as hearing impairment, occurs when a person experiences a reduction in their hearing abilities. Hearing loss can interfere with every part of life, including communicating with others.
Hearing loss starts when there’s damage to one or multiple parts of the ear. The three main types of hearing loss include:
Tinnitus is another common problem experienced by military members. This medical condition causes a ringing sound in the ears. It can also cause other noises, such as:
The noises a person hears can be in one or both ears and remain constant or come and go randomly. They can also vary in how loud they are.
Two types of tinnitus include:
Researchers discovered two major issues with 3M earplugs.
The earplugs were too short, causing them to loosen slightly, exposing the wearer’s ear to loud noises without them realizing that a problem had occurred. Even the tiniest movement of the earplug can leave a soldier’s hearing unprotected.
A faulty seal on the earplugs also allowed noise to travel through despite the user wearing them correctly.
Current and former military personnel claim that Aearo Technologies and 3M were aware of the harm the product could cause but hid the adverse effects. The manufacturers placed profits over the safety of military members.
You can file a lawsuit against 3M Company for the injuries you sustained while using its defective earplugs. The compensation you receive could compensate you for the various losses you suffered, such as:
You could also recover punitive damages if your case meets these requirements:
If you sustained an injury or developed hearing loss from using defective 3M earplugs, do not hesitate to contact DeMayo Law for a free consultation.
We have represented clients like you since 1992. You can depend on our legal team to fight by your side for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Call right now at (877) 333-1000.