Monday 9 May 2022 10:59 PM US veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan among 300,000 suing manufacturer ... trends now
A U.S. military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan for two years is one of nearly 300,000 ex-servicemen suing an ear plugs manufacturer claiming the devices were faulty.
Joseph Sigmon, 37, from North Carolina, was diagnosed with tinnitus — a constant ringing in the ears — after returning from the battlefield in 2013.
The father-of-two claims the condition — which can be sparked by prolonged exposure to loud sounds — is due to manufacturing giant 3M's $7.63-a-pair plugs.
But 3M argues that its ear plugs worked well, and that it is not liable for any damage as they were asked to make adjustments to the devices at the behest of military contractors, which are responsible for the product's failure to work.
Court filings show the plugs were shortened by a quarter of an inch when they were supplied between 1999 and 2015, meaning they did not fit all soldiers correctly.
3M is currently facing one of the biggest multi-district litigations in U.S. history, and is already expected to pay out $220 million to 12 veterans who won their cases. The company is appealing the verdicts.
Joseph Sigmon (pictured), 37, from North Carolina, claims ear plugs supplied to the U.S. military for $7.63-a-pair left him with tinnitus, which is a constant ringing in the ears
Sigmon (pictured) has served both in Iraq and Afghanistan, and when he was discharged had reached the rank of staff sergeant in the military
Pictured above are the earplugs supplied by 3M (left) and Sigmon on tour in Afghanistan (right) where he helped train Afghan soldiers how to use artillery
Tinnitus is a condition where someone experiences a regular ringing, buzzing or hissing in their ears which is not triggered by sounds from the outside world.
It occurs due to damage to the cochlear hair cells in the inner ear, which stretch and contract like with sound-induced vibrations, often due to very loud noises.
The cause of the condition is not always clear, but it is often linked to hearing loss, regular exposure to loud noises and as a side-effect of some medications.
Treatment focuses on counselling and therapies to help people find ways of coping with their condition and reducing any anxiety it causes.
