Ex-commando to sue earplug firm over army hearing loss

BIRMINGHAM DAD AND AFGHANISTAN VETERAN USED 3M EARPLUGS; COMPANY HAS ALREADY SETTLED US CASES FOR MORE THAN SIX BILLION DOLLARS 12:28, 20 May 2025 An ex-Royal Marines commando from

Birmingham has joined a legal action claiming he lost part of his hearing because of faulty earplugs supplied to soldiers. Dad-of-two Dave Pettifer, 47, is a veteran of three tours of

Afghanistan and used 3M earplugs during a decade with the Marines’ heavy weapons and anti-tanks sub-unit from 2002. He suffered hearing loss in his left ear and is among former UK armed

forces personnel joining a legal claim against US manufacturer 3M. READ MORE: MAN WHO BUILT HOUSE INSTEAD OF GARAGE FINALLY RELENTS AFTER SIX-YEAR BATTLE Dave said: “The hearing loss I

suffered affects me on a daily basis, to the point where my wife has to repeat things when I mis-hear. In other instances, including in the work I’ve done since leaving the Marines, I have

often felt embarrassed when I’ve had to ask people to repeat themselves after not hearing them correctly.” Dave trains youngsters at a boxing gym, where he said he also struggled to hear.

Article continues below 3M was said to have supplied combat arms earplugs to the UK’s Military of Defence (MoD) between 2003 and 2023. It previously said the settlement in the US was not an

admission of liability and the products "are safe and effective when used properly". The action, launched by legal firm KP Law, will be the first against 3M in the UK courts. 3M

agreed in 2023 to pay more than six billion dollars to settle lawsuits from US military personnel who claimed they also suffered hearing loss from using the company's earplugs. It is

estimated that tens of thousands of people who served in Britain’s Army, Navy and Air Force used the earplugs in the belief they were protecting their hearing during active service and

training. Many of these men and women, some still serving, suffered life-changing hearing loss and hearing damage including tinnitus, and related issues including stress, anxiety and

depression. Tom Longstaff, partner and head of product liability at KP Law, said: “It is only right that the men and women whose lives have been impacted receive justice and compensation.”

Individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible to join KP Law’s class action lawsuit: Article continues below * Served in the armed forces * Suffer from or suspect they suffer from

hearing loss * Used 3M Combat Arms Earplugs V2. KP Law said some UK military personnel had already received compensation from the Ministry of Defence after suffering hearing loss or hearing

damage while serving. It said that did not preclude someone from joining its group action. BirminghamLive has contacted 3M for a response.