If you have used 3M combat earplugs, you may have unnecessarily suffered permanent Tinnitus or hearing loss. Over a million veterans have been placed on disability by the Federal government due to hearing loss or Tinnitus. One explanation for the epidemic of disabled military members is the defective Combat Earplugs™. 3M Company knew when it supplied the Earplugs that they were inadequate to protect members of the armed forces, yet they chose to take the taxpayers’ money and needlessly place hundreds of thousands of people at risk of permanent injury.

Tinnitus is a constant ringing of the ears that can occur from damage to the ear, and those living with hearing loss often encounter a diminished quality of life. The condition is far from a minor problem considering it often isolates people from conversations and other everyday happenings. Hearing impairments affect many aspects of life – health, work, learning, and social encounters. There are significant emotional stressors caused by the inability to communicate directly with loved ones and in social settings. Those suffering hearing loss often choose to detach from social situations due to the failure to discern conversations in groups. Frequently, loud noises cause further anxiety for people suffering from hearing loss. Many describe needing to sleep with a loud television on to overcome the buzz in the ears from Tinnitus.

There are no definitive cures to fix hearing loss or Tinnitus completely. Hearing devices may help but are expensive. Approximately 1 million veterans are on disability for hearing loss.  A Multi-District Litigation (MDL) has recently been formed to litigate the conduct of 3M Company’s fraudulent conduct. Around several hundred thousand military members and veterans will file suit. An MDL is not a class action earplug lawsuit; it consolidates all cases for the handling of common issues of fact and law. There may be a combat earplug settlement in the future within the MDL. The claims in the MDL could also be set in for individual trials in the time to come. If you or a loved one has suffered from Tinnitus after using issued 3M’s defective dual sided combat earplugs, please call 1-800-YOSTLAW for a free consultation. There is no fee or expense unless you recover.