Any noise that exceeds 85 dB could cause different levels of hearing loss. Soldiers, when in training or combat, are as a matter of routine exposed to higher than normal decibel levels. Soldiers need protection from hearing loss
#Dual ended combat arms earplugs full#
The injuries ranged from full to partial hearing loss and for some tinnitus. Numerous armed forces personnel reported serious hearing injuries after using these devices. Injuries caused from the use of 3M’s dual-sided earplugs Soldiers who were required to wear the product were not told about the alterations that had been made to it when they used it while training or while in combat.ģM and Aearo Technologies couldn’t ignore the fact that the earplugs were not designed well when they sold them to the United States government as a standard piece of protective gear intended to be used by millions of military personnel. This meant it was elongated so it would do a better job of sealing the ear from noise. To be able to complete this, the Aearo staff member folded the yellow flanges back on the earplug’s open end. servicemen/women.ģM and Aearo Technologies tried to correct the design defect when experimenting on personnel by altering the fitting procedure so that the earplugs fitted fully and deeply into the subject’s ear. Looking from the outside it was just about impossible to work out whether the earplug was adequately sealing the ear canal, which allowed explosive sounds to enter the ear and injure U.S. Due to this defect, the earplugs were loose fitting. When the earplugs were tested they were much too large to fit comfortably within the ear canal and completely seal it from any damaging sounds. The aim of this design was to provide sufficient hearing protection that would be suitable for team communication and lower frequency hearing on one side, but providing far more protection from gunfire noise and other likely noises due to training and combat on the other side.Ĭountless cases of serious injury to military personnel due to 3M’s defective design and untrustworthy testing procedures took place. The darker, olive green side, or “closed end,” provided protection for medium and high level noise. The yellow side, which had an open end, permitted low level sounds like voice commands to get through to the ear. government contract to supply the ear-plugs, with the claim that it was a superior product called a “selective attenuation earplug.” The design of these earplugs was dual-ended, so each side performed a different function. We are available 24/7.ģM and Aearo Technologies Fail to Deliver on Earplug ClaimsĪearo Technologies, which 3M eventually bought, won a U.S. If you used 3M Dual-Ended Combat Earplugs and you developed hearing loss, we think you may have a case. The product had a design error which lowered their effectiveness which inflicted injuries to thousands of men and women.īecause the company admitted that the ear plugs had a defect, attorneys around the country have been encouraging anyone who worked as a serviceman/woman to come forward and file a claim for compensation if they have the evidence to prove that hearing loss was caused by this defective product. It seems to be the case that 3M knew about the earplug defects because it has reached an agreement with the U.S. They were manufactured by 3M, an international conglomerate based in Minnesota. They are called the Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2). The olive green and yellow earplugs are currently being investigated for potential defects. Service personnel who were issued with these are now experiencing total hearing loss as well as tinnitus. This is the case with dual-ended ear plugs. Unfortunately, not all ear plugs do what they are supposed to do. It is commonplace to be issued ear-plugs when serving in the military to protect the ears while training or when involved in combat. Attention Servicemen and Servicewomen: If you have experienced hearing loss as a result of using 3M Dual-Ended Combat Earplugs, Coffey McPharlin may be able to help!
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