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Thousands of UK troops sue 3M over faulty earplugs blamed for deafness

ByHearology Publishing | Date: Mon Nov 24 2025

A male soldier, wearing Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) camouflage, is sitting on the ground in a barren, arid landscape, looking off-camera with a focused expression while gripping an SA80-style rifle equipped with a blank-firing adapter.

Legal action against the US manufacturer renews focus on noise-induced hearing injuries among military personnel

Thousands of British military personnel are suing US industrial giant 3M, alleging that the company supplied defective ear protection that caused life-changing hearing problems, including tinnitus and deafness. 

The disputed Combat Arms earplugs, version 2, were issued to members of the armed forces for training and active service, including deployments in Afghanistan.

The earplugs were designed to be reversible, with one end allowing conversation-level sound and the other intended to block out blasts and gunfire. But veterans claim a design flaw meant the plugs could loosen without users realising, leaving them exposed to dangerous noise levels.

Former Guardsman Dave Watson, who served with the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, said he used the earplugs on patrols for up to 12 hours a day. Medically discharged after losing limbs in a 2010 explosion, Watson noticed hearing problems only recently, including persistent ringing and difficulty following conversations. He has since been told he will need hearing aids.


Hearing loss among veterans

Hearing problems are among the most common service-related injuries. Research by the Royal British Legion shows that veterans under 75 are about three and a half times more likely than civilians to experience hearing loss or tinnitus. A 2021 study from King’s College London found that one in four military personnel reported hearing difficulty or tinnitus.

The Ministry of Defence has paid thousands of claims for noise-induced hearing loss and runs a no-fault compensation scheme recognising the scale of the problem.


Legal action

The UK case mirrors extensive litigation in the United States, where 3M agreed in 2023 to pay $6 billion to settle similar allegations involving American service members. The company denied liability, insisting its products were safe when used correctly. It had previously paid $9.1 million to the US Department of Justice to resolve claims that the earplugs were too short and could loosen in use.

In Britain, the claim is being led by law firm KP Law, representing more than 2,000 current and former service members. Partner Tom Longstaff told the BBC there was “very strong evidence” of a design flaw in the earplugs. The firm says the case is being pursued against 3M directly on a no-win, no-fee basis.

3M said it has “great respect” for the British Armed Forces and is prepared to defend the product’s safety and effectiveness in court. 

Legal observers say the outcome could set important precedents for product liability and military hearing protection standards in the UK.


Human impact

Veterans such as Dave Watson and former Royal Marine commando Dave Pettifer, who also reports daily hearing difficulties, illustrate the human cost behind the legal action. Their experiences reflect a wider challenge in preventing, diagnosing and managing hearing loss linked to occupational noise exposure in the forces.

“Noise exposure in military environments is intense and cumulative,” said James Leare, a Clinical Audiologist at Hearology®. “Even brief unprotected exposure can cause permanent hearing damage. The growing awareness of these cases highlights the urgent need for regular hearing checks and access to tailored rehabilitation for veterans and serving personnel.”


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