3M Combat Arms Earplug Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

Hundreds of thousands of service members and veterans sued 3M and Aearo Technologies, alleging the Combat Arms Earplugs caused hearing loss and tinnitus. They said the earplugs loosened and let damaging sound through.

3M denies liability and says the earplugs are safe when used properly. The lawsuit has been settled. 3M signed a master settlement agreement on August 29, 2023, for up to $6 billion paid from 2023 to 2029.

In September 2025, the MDL judge said no cases remained and recommended closing MDL 2885. New registrations for the settlement program are closed.

Latest 3M Lawsuit Updates

September 19, 2025: Judge Says No Cases Remain in MDL 2885

Bloomberg Government reported that Judge M. Casey Rodgers said no cases remained in MDL 2885 [1]. She recommended that the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation close the MDL.

The MDL was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and the report cites more than 390,000 cases.

March 28, 2024: 3M Reports Registration Figures

Military Times reported that 3M said more than 249,000 of more than 293,000 claimants had registered for the settlement [2].

The court had also dismissed more than 41,000 claims. Military Times described the outcome as payouts for nearly 250,000 veterans.

January 15, 2024: 3M Says All Wave Plaintiffs Joined

3M announced that all remaining wave plaintiffs had agreed to participate in the settlement [3]. It said it would accelerate a $253.1 million payment due for those cases to on or before January 31, 2024.

December 26, 2023: 3M Pays $250 Million into Settlement Fund

3M said it paid $250 million to the Qualified Settlement Fund for claimants seeking expedited payments [4]. The company also said the court had dismissed more than 22,000 claims for failure to comply with court orders.

August 29, 2023: Master Settlement Agreement Signed

Case Management Order No. 57 recorded the Master Settlement Agreement signed that day between plaintiffs' leadership counsel and 3M and the Aearo defendants.

The order also applies to plaintiffs who elected not to participate. It was issued in Case No. 3:19-md-02885. The defendants it names include 3M Company, 3M Occupational Safety LLC and the Aearo entities.

June 9, 2023: Judge Dismisses Aearo's Bankruptcy

Reuters reported that U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Jeffrey Graham in Indianapolis dismissed the bankruptcy of 3M subsidiary Aearo Technologies [5]. The dismissal ended Aearo's bankruptcy.

Judge Graham found that Aearo, a well-supported 3M subsidiary, has a "greater degree of financial security than warrants bankruptcy protection." At that time, 3M had lost 10 of the 16 earplug cases tried.

What Are 3M Combat Arms Earplugs?

According to NPR, via Texas Public Radio, the Combat Arms earplugs were dual-ended earplugs made by a 3M subsidiary [6]. The U.S. military used them from 2003 to 2015.

One end blocked all noise. The other blocked loud noise and let softer sounds through. These are the earplugs at the center of MDL 2885, also called CAEv2.

Who May Be Affected?

Service members and veterans who used the dual-ended Combat Arms Earplugs between 2003 and 2015 may be affected. Registration for the settlement program has closed, The Hearing Review reported [7].

Plaintiffs who chose not to take part fall under the same case management order cited above. Whether any option remains depends on your own facts, so only an individual legal review can tell you.

Reported Injuries or Damages

Service members and veterans allege that the dual-ended earplugs led to hearing loss and tinnitus. These are allegations, not court findings. They claim a defective design let the earplugs loosen slightly and allow hearing damage, KTVU reported [8].

Military Times reported that 3M has not acknowledged flaws. It says the equipment is safe and effective when used properly.

Before the settlement, juries awarded about $265 million to 13 plaintiffs in the earplug cases tried, the Reuters report said. That count is as of June 2023. The settlement did not include an admission of liability by 3M.

Evidence to Preserve

Keep any records that show your earplug use, your hearing problems and your settlement contacts:

• Service records showing where and when you used the earplugs
• Medical and audiology records of hearing loss or tinnitus
• Your settlement registration confirmation and notices from the claims administrator
• Payment records and letters or emails from any lawyer
• Any court notices you received

Store paper and digital copies in one place. Write down the dates and places you remember using the earplugs. Notes made now can help a lawyer later.

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines come from state law. They vary with where you live and when the hearing damage and its diagnosis happened. Missing a deadline can end a claim, so ask a lawyer promptly which deadlines apply to you.

Potential Compensation

Under the settlement, 3M agreed to pay up to $6 billion between 2023 and 2029. KTVU reported that the total is made up of $5 billion in cash and $1 billion in 3M stock.

In injury cases, damages can include medical care, hearing aids, lost income and pain and suffering, depending on the facts of each case.

Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each person's potential compensation depends on their own records.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Will the 3M Earplug Lawsuit Be Settled?

The 3M earplug lawsuit was settled in August 2023. Payments run through 2029, and 3M put the total pre-tax present value at $5.3 billion. KTVU reported that payments to veterans began in January 2024.

How Common Are Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Among Veterans?

Hearing loss and tinnitus among veterans are widely reported. NPR noted that in 2019 about a million veterans got disability payments for service-related hearing loss, and over 1.7 million for tinnitus. These counts cover all causes, not only these earplugs.

Did 3M Admit the Earplugs Were Defective?

No, 3M did not admit the earplugs were defective. NPR reported that the current lawsuits began after 3M paid $9.1 million in 2018 to settle a whistleblower suit that claimed the subsidiary knew the earplugs were faulty. 3M admitted no liability.

What Is Tinnitus in the 3M Earplug Lawsuit?

Tinnitus in the 3M earplug lawsuit means a persistent ringing or buzzing sound. Along with hearing loss, it is one of the two conditions that service members and veterans said the earplugs caused. These are allegations.

References

1. https://news.bgov.com/product-liability-and-toxics-law/3m-closes-on-defective-earplug-litigation-spanning-390-000-cases
2. https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2024/03/28/nearly-250k-vets-to-receive-payouts-in-3m-earplug-settlement/
3. https://investors.3m.com/financials/sec-filings/content/0000066740-24-000002/pressrelease1-15x24.htm
4. https://www.tipranks.com/news/the-fly/3m-says-combat-arms-earplug-settlement-reaches-next-milestone
5. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2023/06/12/724757.htm
6. https://www.tpr.org/military-veterans-issues/2023-09-13/3m-has-agreed-to-pay-6-billion-over-faulty-military-earplugs-now-plaintiffs-must-decide-whether-to-accept
7. https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/accessories/plugs-tips/3m-earplugs-settlement-moves-to-final-resolution
8. https://ktvu.com/news/3m-settlement-payments-veterans-service-members-2024