Thursday, September 26, 2019 - Thousands of military veterans are complaining that they have suffered a form of hearing loss called Tinnitus a.k.a a ringing in the ears and have joined thousands of others in filing lawsuits against 3M, the devices manufacturer. Veterans liken suffering from Tinnitus to being constantly tortured as the ringing never, ever stops. Battlefield noises and explosions are some of the most severe occupational hazards that a person will face in their lifetimes and our service members assumed that the 3M Combat Army Earplug would protect them from hearing damage which it did not. Tinnitus sufferers are experiencing PTSD symptoms as many feel that they are being driven insane, unable to work or to raise a family. The problems that thousands of service members are experiencing due to Tinnitus are too numerous to list but taken as a whole render a person completely and permanently disabled. There is no hearing aid device or therapy to cure tinnitus. There are, however, medications that may make the maddening ringing of tinnitus more manageable and less painful. 3M Army Earplug lawyers have vast experience representing American families and individuals harmed from defect products and offer a free no obligation consultation before filing a claim.
Web MD.com reports that tinnitus sufferers may elect to take anti-anxiety drugs to help alleviate tinnitus, and cite that steroids could also help. "For some, treatment with low doses of anti-anxiety drugs -- such as Valium or antidepressants such as Elavil -- help reduce tinnitus. The use of a steroid placed into the middle ear along with an anti-anxiety medication called alprazolam is effective for some people." Other conditions such as an inner ear infection could be exacerbating the severity of tinnitus and curing that underlying condition could result in an improvement in the magnitude of the tinnitus. TMJ is another underlying condition that can make one's tinnitus seem worse. TMJ is a malfunctioning of the muscles of the jaw where the upper and lower jaw connect which is adjacent to the ear canal and can affect one's hearing.
Another way to treat your tinnitus is with a device called a "masker" which plays more pleasant sounds and crowds out the constant ringing. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), is a 12-month process of training the brain to filter out the tinnitus sound on the subconscious level so that it does not reach one's consciousness.
3M was fined and paid $9 million for failing to warn our military members that the 3M Army Earplug might not fit every size ear canal and leave the soldier exposed to the dangers of battlefield and gunfire noise. Service members are filing lawsuits for monetary compensation from 3M for their medical expense, lost wages and pain and suffering. A 3M company whistleblower accused the company of knowing that the army earplugs were defective and withheld this information from the military and the public. Experts estimate that there around 2200 lawsuits pending by those who served from 2003 to 2015 when the 3M Combat Army Earplug was standard issue.
Our attorneys specialize in holding large corporations accountable when they’ve placed profits ahead of safety. Through settlements and winning verdicts, our attorneys have obtained millions for our clients. Let us help you today.
Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold 3M accountable for damage it has caused you or a loved one, while also providing real compensation for your medical expenses, suffering and loss. Contact us today for a free consultation.