3M Sold the Military Defective Earplugs for 12 Years — Veterans Are Now Getting Paid

Here's the short version: From roughly 2003 to 2015, 3M sold the U.S. military a small yellow earplug called the Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplug, Version 2. It was supposed to protect soldiers from hearing damage while still letting them hear commands. It didn't work as advertised. Veterans who wore these earplugs and later developed hearing loss or ringing in their ears (called tinnitus) may be owed money from a $6.01 billion settlement fund. Checking if you qualify is free and takes about two minutes.

What Was Wrong With the Earplugs?

The Combat Arms Earplug, Version 2 (CAEv2) was a dual-sided earplug. One side was designed to block all noise, like traditional earplugs. The other side was designed to let quieter sounds through — like someone talking — while still blocking loud blasts from gunfire or explosions.

The problem was the earplugs were too short. When they were inserted into many soldiers’ ears, the earplugs would slowly loosen and shift without the wearer feeling it happening. Once that seal broke, loud sounds — gunshots, explosions, heavy machinery — could pass through and damage the inner ear. The user often had no idea the protection had failed.

According to court filings in federal MDL No. 2885 (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, Judge M. Casey Rodgers), internal 3M testing had identified this loosening problem as far back as 2000 — before the product was even sold to the military. The company is accused of never correcting the design and never telling the military or the service members who used the product.

What Hearing Damage Looks Like

The hearing problems reported by veterans who used these earplugs fall into two main categories:

• Hearing loss — sounds become muffled, quieter, or harder to understand, especially in noisy environments. Some veterans struggle to follow conversations or hear the TV without turning it up.
• Tinnitus — a constant ringing, buzzing, hissing, or clicking noise in the ears that never goes away. Tinnitus is not just annoying; it can interfere with sleep, concentration, and daily life. It is one of the most common service-connected disabilities among veterans.

Both conditions can be permanent. Once the tiny hair cells inside your inner ear are damaged by loud sound, they generally do not grow back.

Who May Qualify for the Settlement

You may qualify if all of the following apply to your situation:

• You served in the U.S. military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or National Guard — at some point between roughly 2003 and 2015.
• You used the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs (Version 2) during your service. Many veterans were issued these earplugs automatically as part of their gear; others were given them before combat deployments or training exercises.
• You have since been diagnosed with, or are currently experiencing, hearing loss, tinnitus, or both.

You do not need to have saved the earplugs or any packaging. You do not need to have a VA rating for hearing loss already. Many veterans who qualify have never formally reported their hearing problems. If this sounds like your situation, the best step is to submit the free form and let a real person review it.

The $6.01 Billion Settlement

More than 250,000 veterans filed lawsuits over the defective earplugs, making this one of the largest product liability cases in U.S. history. The cases were grouped together in federal court in Florida under MDL No. 2885.

In August 2023, 3M reached a $6.01 billion settlement agreement through its subsidiary Aearo Technologies, which originally made the earplugs. The settlement was structured through Aearo’s bankruptcy reorganization, and the plan was confirmed in 2024.

The money is now being distributed to veterans through the settlement program. Cases are processed based on the nature and severity of each person’s hearing injury, and not every case receives the same amount. We will not quote you a specific dollar amount — individual payments depend entirely on your specific situation and medical history.

Why You Should Not Wait

The settlement fund is active right now, and claims are being processed. But settlement programs do not run forever. Funds can be depleted, deadlines can be imposed by the court, and once a program closes, the money that was not claimed does not go to veterans — it goes back to the court.

Even if you are already receiving VA disability benefits for hearing loss, you may still qualify for this separate settlement. The VA and this settlement fund are two different programs.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, the only way to find out is to fill out the form. It is free. A real person will review it. If you do not qualify, you will not be charged anything and you have lost nothing but two minutes.

Common Questions

I was never officially diagnosed with hearing loss. Can I still qualify?

You may. Many veterans have hearing problems they never formally reported to the VA or a doctor. The case check will help determine if your situation qualifies. You do not need an official diagnosis in hand before submitting the form.

I served in the National Guard or Reserves. Does this apply to me?

Potentially, yes — if you were issued the CAEv2 earplugs during training or active duty periods and have since developed hearing problems. Include that information in the form and let the review team assess it.

I am already getting VA disability pay for hearing loss. Can I still file?

Yes. This settlement is a separate legal action from VA benefits. Receiving one does not prevent you from receiving the other.

Does it cost anything?

The case check is completely free. If you move forward with a case, you pay nothing unless your case results in a recovery. Attorney fees come only from what is won for you — never out of your own pocket.

What if I am not sure which earplugs I was issued?

The 3M Combat Arms Earplug Version 2 is a small, yellow, dual-ended earplug with a short body. It was widely issued to soldiers between 2003 and 2015. If you remember using yellow or olive-colored dual-sided earplugs during that period, mention it in the form. The review team can help piece together the details.

Ready to Find Out If You Qualify?

If you served in the military between approximately 2003 and 2015, were issued the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs, and now have hearing loss or tinnitus, you may be owed money from this settlement fund. The check is free, takes two minutes, and costs you nothing.

Fill out the form below. A real person reviews every submission. If you qualify, someone will reach out to you within one week.