Difference between revisions of "Hearing Loss From Ear Plug Usage"

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The Minneapolis located 3M business manufactured the Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs that were employed by military personnel from the years 2003 to 2015 during combat and training exercises to guard staff hearing from gunfire and explosions. Hearing issues are the most frequent issues suffered by soldiers so hearing defense is a major worry for U.S. soldiers. Based on various scenarios, the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs were designed to provide two different levels of protection. The dual-ended earplugs have a design that is easily recognizable. As their name implies, they were made of of two outward facing earplugs, one green and one yellow.<br /><br />While the yellow part was put inside the ear, this was called as Weapons Fire mode. This mode was designed to provide normal hearing for peak situational alertness. It could let staff to communicate, receive commands and listen to other important noises on the battlefield while still providing defense from peak level noises like gunfire and explosions. This would have been the desired mode in combat situations.<br /><br />When the green end was inserted inside the ear, this was referred to as Constant Protection mode. Constant Protection was designed to block all sounds more thoroughly in order to provide complete defense. Per 3M, the mode is for high level steady noise scenarios such as those in tracked vehicles and air support. This mode may have additionally been used in several standard practice exercises and environments as well.<br />Claimed Hearing Issues<br />Combat Arms EarplugsManufactured by 3M and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc, Dual Ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) that were made for military use and used extensively by thousands of servicemen sent to Afghanistan and Iraq between 2003 to 2015. The CAEV2 was produced to allow for two separate protection modes, Open Fire mode and Constant Protection mode. The appropriate setting is determined by which side of the plug is placed inside the ear, yellow means Weapons Fire mode, green means Constant Protection mode. Weapons Fire mode was designed to allow for hearing speech and communicating yet maintaining protection against damaging noise levels from gunfire and explosions. The Constant Protection level blocked all noise more fully that was useful for staff operating in track vehicles, in air support or during regular training. Each settings were claimed to block noise up to a specific standard but in current litigation, the government has claimed that neither mode of the ear plug met the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) that 3M alleged because of a non-reported design error.<br /><br />$9.1 million Settlement Between 3M and the U.S. Government<br />In July of 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that 3M had agreed to pay $9.1 million to resolve allegations that they knowingly sold the Combat Arms Earplugs v2 to the U.S. military without disclosing errors that declined the effectiveness of the hearing defense device. The lawsuit was originally filed in 2016 under the whistleblower part of the False Claims Act which allows private parties to sue for the federal government whenever they believe that a defendant has represented false claims for government funds. In this issue, the whistleblower was granted $1,911,000 for their part in the lawsuit.<br /><br />Per the DOJ press release, the settlement took care of claims that 3M violated the False Claims Act by selling or causing to be sold defective earplugs to the Defense Logistics Agency. Specifically, the U.S. claimed that 3M, and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc., were aware that the CAEv2 was too short for correct insertion into users’ ears and that the earplugs might loosen imperceptibly and then didn’t work well for some individuals. It was additionally claimed that this design error was known to 3M but wasn’t disclosed to the Department of Defense.<br /><br />Injuries to Personnel<br />If the allegations about 3M are true, many personnel could have used fault prone plugs which didn’t protect them as the equipment was supposed to. Based on the alleged design error, the plugs may loosen while inside the ear unbeknownst to the soldier allowing damaging sounds to make their way inside the ear. [https://www.meneolawgroup.com/defective-products/combat-arms-earplugs combat earplugs] may have serious and permanent effects including partial or total hearing loss, or tinnitus, a ringing in the ears. Hearing loss is one of the most common issues suffered by active duty and former service personnel. Tinnitus, which might be debilitating, is just as frequent. According to a research scientist with the VA Portland Healthcare System, last year there were in excess of
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The Minneapolis based 3M company manufactured the Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs which were used by military staff during the period 2003 to 2015 during combat and training exercises to defend personnel hearing from gunfire and explosions. Hearing problems are the most frequent issues suffered by soldiers so hearing defense is a major concern for American soldiers. Based on different scenarios, the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs were created to offer two different levels of protection. The dual-ended plugs have a design that is easily noticeable. As their name suggests, they were made of of two outward facing earplugs, one green and one yellow.<br /><br />When the yellow part was put into the ear, this is recognized as Open Fire mode. This mode was designed to offer normal hearing for top situational awareness. It could allow staff to communicate, receive commands and listen to other important sounds in the combat field while continuing to provide protection from top level sounds such as gunfire and explosions. This could have been the desired level in combat situations.<br /><br />When the green part was placed inside the ear, this was known as Closed Protection mode. [https://www.meneolawgroup.com/defective-products/combat-arms-earplugs/injury-risks veteran hearing] was created to block all noise more completely in order to offer full protection. According to 3M, the mode is for high-level sustained sound scenarios such as those in tracked vehicles and air support. This mode could have also been used in many standard practice exercises and environments as well.<br />Alleged Hearing Risks<br />Combat Arms EarplugsManufactured by 3M and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc, Dual Ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) were created for military usage and used widely by thousands of personnel sent to Afghanistan and Iraq from 2003 to 2015. The CAEV2 was designed to allow for two separate protection settings, Weapons Fire mode and Closed Protection mode. The appropriate level is determined by which side of the earplug is placed inside the ear, yellow means Weapons Fire mode, green means Constant Protection mode. Weapons Fire mode was created to allow for hearing speaking and communicating yet still protecting from damaging sound levels from gunfire and explosions. The Constant Protection level blocked all noise more fully that was useful for staff operating in track vehicles, in air support or while regular training. Each settings were purported to block noise up to a specific standard yet in current litigation, the government has alleged that neither mode of the ear plug met the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) which 3M alleged because of an unreported manufacturing error.<br /><br />$9.1 million Settlement Between 3M and the U.S. Government<br />In July of 2018, the United States Department of Justice announced that 3M had agreed to pay $9.1 million to resolve claims that they knowingly sold the Combat Arms Earplugs v2 to the American military without admitting errors that hampered the effectiveness of the hearing protection device. The lawsuit was originally placed in 2016 under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act that allows private parties to sue for the federal government when they think that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds. In this issue, the whistleblower was granted $1,911,000 for their part in the lawsuit.<br /><br />According to the Department of Justice press announcement, the settlement took care of claims that 3M violated the False Claims Act by selling or causing to be sold defective earplugs to the Defense Logistics Agency. More specifically, the United States claimed that 3M, and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc., knew the CAEv2 was too short for proper insertion into users’ ears and that the earplugs could come loose imperceptibly and then didn’t work well for certain people. It was additionally alleged that this design error was known to 3M but was not shared with the Department of Defense.<br /><br />Harm to Personnel<br />If the claims against 3M are true, thousands of servicemen could have used error prone plugs that did not protect them as the product was supposed to. Based on the claimed design error, the plugs may loosen while in the ear unbeknownst to the soldier allowing damaging sounds to find their way into the ear. Dangerous noise levels can have serious and lasting effects including partial or total hearing loss, or tinnitus, a ringing in the ears. Hearing loss is one of the most frequent issues suffered by active duty and former servicemen. Tinnitus, which could be debilitating, is just as frequent. According to a research scientist with the VA Portland Healthcare System, last year there were over 1.6 million veterans looking for medical care for chronic tinnitus.<br /><br />You May be Eligible for Compensation<br />If you or a loved one were provided Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs during service in the military from 2003 and 2015, and have since suffered partial or total hearing loss or suffer from tinnitus, your scenario should be discussed with the Meneo Law Group to discover every option available to you.<br />

Revision as of 16:50, 19 September 2019

The Minneapolis based 3M company manufactured the Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs which were used by military staff during the period 2003 to 2015 during combat and training exercises to defend personnel hearing from gunfire and explosions. Hearing problems are the most frequent issues suffered by soldiers so hearing defense is a major concern for American soldiers. Based on different scenarios, the 3M Dual-Ended Combat Arms™ Earplugs were created to offer two different levels of protection. The dual-ended plugs have a design that is easily noticeable. As their name suggests, they were made of of two outward facing earplugs, one green and one yellow.

When the yellow part was put into the ear, this is recognized as Open Fire mode. This mode was designed to offer normal hearing for top situational awareness. It could allow staff to communicate, receive commands and listen to other important sounds in the combat field while continuing to provide protection from top level sounds such as gunfire and explosions. This could have been the desired level in combat situations.

When the green part was placed inside the ear, this was known as Closed Protection mode. veteran hearing was created to block all noise more completely in order to offer full protection. According to 3M, the mode is for high-level sustained sound scenarios such as those in tracked vehicles and air support. This mode could have also been used in many standard practice exercises and environments as well.
Alleged Hearing Risks
Combat Arms EarplugsManufactured by 3M and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc, Dual Ended Combat Arms Earplugs, Version 2 (CAEv2) were created for military usage and used widely by thousands of personnel sent to Afghanistan and Iraq from 2003 to 2015. The CAEV2 was designed to allow for two separate protection settings, Weapons Fire mode and Closed Protection mode. The appropriate level is determined by which side of the earplug is placed inside the ear, yellow means Weapons Fire mode, green means Constant Protection mode. Weapons Fire mode was created to allow for hearing speaking and communicating yet still protecting from damaging sound levels from gunfire and explosions. The Constant Protection level blocked all noise more fully that was useful for staff operating in track vehicles, in air support or while regular training. Each settings were purported to block noise up to a specific standard yet in current litigation, the government has alleged that neither mode of the ear plug met the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) which 3M alleged because of an unreported manufacturing error.

$9.1 million Settlement Between 3M and the U.S. Government
In July of 2018, the United States Department of Justice announced that 3M had agreed to pay $9.1 million to resolve claims that they knowingly sold the Combat Arms Earplugs v2 to the American military without admitting errors that hampered the effectiveness of the hearing protection device. The lawsuit was originally placed in 2016 under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act that allows private parties to sue for the federal government when they think that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds. In this issue, the whistleblower was granted $1,911,000 for their part in the lawsuit.

According to the Department of Justice press announcement, the settlement took care of claims that 3M violated the False Claims Act by selling or causing to be sold defective earplugs to the Defense Logistics Agency. More specifically, the United States claimed that 3M, and its predecessor, Aearo Technologies, Inc., knew the CAEv2 was too short for proper insertion into users’ ears and that the earplugs could come loose imperceptibly and then didn’t work well for certain people. It was additionally alleged that this design error was known to 3M but was not shared with the Department of Defense.

Harm to Personnel
If the claims against 3M are true, thousands of servicemen could have used error prone plugs that did not protect them as the product was supposed to. Based on the claimed design error, the plugs may loosen while in the ear unbeknownst to the soldier allowing damaging sounds to find their way into the ear. Dangerous noise levels can have serious and lasting effects including partial or total hearing loss, or tinnitus, a ringing in the ears. Hearing loss is one of the most frequent issues suffered by active duty and former servicemen. Tinnitus, which could be debilitating, is just as frequent. According to a research scientist with the VA Portland Healthcare System, last year there were over 1.6 million veterans looking for medical care for chronic tinnitus.

You May be Eligible for Compensation
If you or a loved one were provided Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs during service in the military from 2003 and 2015, and have since suffered partial or total hearing loss or suffer from tinnitus, your scenario should be discussed with the Meneo Law Group to discover every option available to you.

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