ST LOUIS–Approximately 93% of claimants of the 2023 3M earplug settlement are expected to receive their base settlement awards by Spring 2025 according to SL Chapman, one of multiple St. Louis law firms involved in the case.

In August 2023, 3M reached a $6.01 million settlement with U.S. service members and veterans. 

Aearo Technologies, a manufacturer acquired by 3M in 2008, exclusively supplied Combat Arms Earplugs (version 2) to numerous branches of the United States military says TorHoerman Law. The earplugs were designed to protect against loud noises and hearing loss from gunfire, explosions, bombins, and vehicles.

“Instead of blocking soundwaves, the earbuds were too short for proper insertion in the ear canal, causing them to loosen and not properly protect service members from potentially harmful sounds,” said a TorHoerman Law on their website. “The company confirmed to the government the earbuds tested at the required 22 NPR rate. In reality, the noise-canceling side of the 3M earplug tested at an average rate of about -2 NPR, acting as an amplifier.” 

The local law firm said according to a whistleblower lawsuit, 3M and Aearo knew since as early as 2000 that the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs were defective. 

Goldblatt and Singer says design defects in the earplugs led to service member's hearing loss.

3M denies liability according to SL Chapman.

Dixon Injury Firm says the defective products were in circulation between 2003 and 2015.

During the litigation, 3M’s Aearo filed for bankruptcy which “disrupted settlement negotiations,” said OnderLaw.

TorHoerman Law said 3M has been subject to multiple other product liability and environmental contamination suits.