Thousands of veterans thought to be affected by faulty earplugs supplied to the military
Words by ITV News Producer Cat Dinneny
Tens of thousands of British military personnel could have suffered hearing loss or damage as a result of faulty ear defenders.
American firm 3M supplied at least 400,000 sets of its Combat Arms Earplugs to the Ministry of Defence over a 20-year period, but it's alleged they were defective.
The company is now being sued in the UK after settling a $6 billion lawsuit in the US for similar allegations.
Tom Longstaff, a partner at KP Law, which is launching the class action, said: "3M will have known its earplugs were defective while still supplying them to the UK military. It is only right that the men and women whose lives have been impacted receive justice and compensation.'
The ear defenders were commonly used in the military between 2003 and 2023.
3M has previously said the settlement in the US was not an admission of liability and added that the products "are safe and effective when used properly."
Speaking to ITV News, Mr Longstaff said: "It suffered from a design defect which meant the product wasn't fit for purpose and didn't protect members of the Armed Forces against very loud levels of noise to which they were exposed."
It's estimated tens of thousands of veterans and servicemen and women have experienced hearing loss, tinnitus and related issues, including stress, anxiety and depression as a result of using them.
Adam Stone served as a Corporal in the Royal Marines between 2003 and 2012, including a tour of Iraq. He has hearing loss in his left ear and said he regularly used the 3M ear defenders.
He told ITV News: "Depending on the setting, it was far easier to wear the little ones. They felt absolutely fine, but that's under the assumption that you're putting something in your ear that actually works.
"There was the odd occasion when you'd hear a noise and you'd think 'that's pretty loud'... but you use what you're supplied."
He started experiencing tinnitus while he was still serving, but it wasn't until he left the military that he got his hearing looked at.
"I was increasingly starting to struggle in social settings, in conversations and in busy places. I suspected that my hearing had taken a bit of a knock, so I went and had it checked out, and they confirmed there was a fair amount of hearing loss in my left ear."
He was given a hearing aid, but finds it uncomfortable due to the amount of background noise it picks up.
Mr Stone added: "I'm back at square one. It's very difficult to keep track of who's saying what, particularly in large settings.
"Generally, I tend to find that I exclude myself from big conversations, and I'd rather go off and chat with someone one-on-one. Or, the alternative is to pretend you've heard what's been said, go along with it and then walk away completely oblivious."
David Pettifer, who also served in the Royal Marines, says British servicemen and women "deserved better".
The veteran, from Birmingham, said: 'It's a huge disappointment to know that a massive conglomerate like 3M, who were obligated to supply soldiers with quality equipment which worked properly, were willing to put profit over the welfare of individuals who step up to serve their country.
"I think I can speak for all British servicemen and women who have been affected by this betrayal when I say that we deserved a lot better.'
Mr Pettifer worked with the heavy weapons and anti-tank sub-unit between 2002 and 2012, completing three tours in Afghanistan.
The 47-year-old added: "My hearing loss affects me on a daily basis, even to the point where my wife has to keep repeating things when I mishear.
"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.'
KP Law is encouraging people to come forward if they think they might have been affected by the ear defenders.
Mr Longstaff said: 'One of the British military's core values is integrity. By supplying earplugs they knew were defective, 3M showed no integrity.
"It is only right that the men and women whose lives have been impacted receive justice and compensation.'
The Ministry of Defence says it would not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
ITV News has contacted 3M for a response.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
New coronavirus only ‘one small step from spilling over into humans' and sparking widespread outbreak, say scientists
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW coronavirus may only be "a small step away from spilling over into humans", scientists have warned - sparking fears of another pandemic. Scientists believe the variant, called HKU5-CoV-2, may infect a broader range of animals than Covid-19 and may have more potential for jumping between species. 1 Dr Michael Letko, a molecular virologist at WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine, lead the research into the concerning variant Credit: Ted S. Warren/College of Veterinary Medicine/WSU American scientists fear the virus - found in China - may be one small mutation away from also being able to infect humans, which could lead to a widespread outbreak. The new study, published in Nature Communications, looked at a lesser-known group of coronaviruses called merbecoviruses. It includes HKU5 and MERS-CoV, which is responsible for the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. First noted in 2012, the virus typically spreads from infected camels to humans causes severe respiratory disease, which can be fatal to 34 per cent of its victims. The research team, which included scientists at Washington State University (WSU), the California Institute of Technology and the University of North Carolina, sought to understand how merbecoviruses infiltrate the cells of their hosts. While most bugs in the group seemed to pose little threat to people, scientists said one subgroup, HKU5, has concerning traits. Michael Letko, a virologist at WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine, said: "Merbecoviruses – and HKU5 viruses in particular – really hadn't been looked at much, but our study shows how these viruses infect cells. "What we also found is HKU5 viruses may be only a small step away from being able to spill over into humans." Like other coronaviruses, merbecoviruses rely on a spike protein to bind to receptors and invade host cells. Dr Letko's team used virus-like particles containing the part of the spike protein responsible for binding to receptors and tested their ability to infect cells in their lab. World is not prepared for looming Disease X pandemic says Doctor Tedros Ghebreyesus While most merbecoviruses appeared unlikely to be able to infect humans, HKU5 viruses — which have been found across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East — were shown to use a host receptor known as ACE2, the same used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19. But for now HKU5 viruses can only use the ACE2 gene in bats and can't deploy it on humans nearly as well. Examining HKU5 viruses found in Asia - where their host is the Japanese house bat - the researchers demonstrated some mutations in the spike protein that may allow the viruses to bind to ACE2 receptors in other species, including humans. 'These viruses are so closely related to MERS, so we have to be concerned if they ever infect humans,' Dr Letko said. 'While there's no evidence they've crossed into people yet, the potential is there — and that makes them worth watching.' Dr Letko said the study and its methods could be used for future research projects and to help the development of new vaccines and treatments. What is the new Covid variant confirmed in the UK? The new strain - called NB.1.8.1 - has been spotted in the parts of the UK, such as Ireland and Wales. It's also cropped up in Europe, the US and Australia, as well as Egypt, the Maldives, Thailand, China and Hong Kong. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently issued a warning over NB.1.8.1, designating it as a "variant under monitoring" due to its global spread and key mutations. 'Despite a concurrent increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, current data do not indicate that this variant leads to more severe illness than other variants in circulation,' the WHO said. But while it may not be particularly severe, it may infect people more easily than previous variants, with some evidence suggesting that the variant binds more tightly to human cells. A recent study that has not yet been peer reviewed suggests that a person infected with NB.1.8.1 may be more likely to pass the virus on to someone else, compared to earlier variants. The WHO stressed that, based on available evidence, the variant's risk to public health was "low at the global level". "Currently approved Covid-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease," it added. Symptoms include sore throat, fatigue, fever, mild cough, muscle aches and a blocked nose. Some people may also get gastrointestinal symptoms. It's not the first time concerns have been raised over HKU5. Earlier this year, Chinese scientists warned that HKU5-CoV-2 may be able to jump straight from bats to humans without another animal in between. This suggests a higher potential for zoonotic spillover - when a disease spreads from animal to human. If there is no 'intermediate 'middle animal', it becomes harder to predict and prevent spillover events through interactions such as wildlife trading or hunting. "There is the potential for this new virus to spillover to human, like previous coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2," said Dr Gary R McLean, a research fellow at the Imperial College London, who was not involved in the study. But he noted that, so far, there is no "evidence" that HKU5-CoV-2 can infect people – the paper is based on tests in a laboratory, showing the bug's "potential". "Hopefully the Chinese authorities now have good surveillance systems in place and the laboratories work to rigid safety standards that minimise the risk of spillover occurring," he said. The WHO has previously listed MERS and Covid as two of several diseases - alongside the mysterious disease X - that could spark a pandemic, but for which there is no specific treatment or vaccine.
Rhyl Journal
19 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
LTA to support British women's tennis players' health
The initiative will offer bespoke support around education, nutrition and research as well as medical screening to optimise their performance and well-being. The programme has been designed to address specific challenges female athletes face, offering targeted interventions and expert guidance, led by LTA Chief Medical Officer Dr Guy Evans. Examples include offering medical screenings to all professional players supported via the LTA Player Pathway. These screenings are tailored around female health and menstrual cycles, and gives the athletes access to specialised medical support tailored to their physical reproductive health needs. A podcast series has been launched featuring discussions with leading experts to highlight and educate critical female health issues that impact elite athletes. DEXA scanning (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) has been introduced to assess bone mineral density, providing vital data on injury prevention and energy balance (Image: LTA) Pioneering research into understanding and mitigating health risks for female athletes has also been announced as well as a Pregnancy and Maternity Policy – the first of its kind in British tennis – to support players through pregnancy and postpartum recovery. LTA National Coach and former British No.1 Katie O'Brien said: 'The sporting health of our athletes is significantly important to us since this is awareness of female health has been growing massively in recent years since I was a player. 'We would like to thank Dr. Guy Evans for his leadership in driving work forward so we are able to support our British female players the best that we can and help them achieve their best performance.' In late 2024, the LTA launched a Breast Health and Bra Fitting Service for female players, highlighting the importance of wearing a correctly fitted sports bra for both performance and breast health. For the past two years, the LTA has hosted the UK Sports Gynaecology Conference at the National Tennis Centre, bringing together chief medical officers, gynaecological surgeons, and sports science experts to discuss and advance female athlete health. The 2025 event saw over 50 industry leaders gather in Roehampton, tackling issues such as low energy availability, gender-specific concerns in sport, and effective medical strategies for female athletes. Dr Evans added: 'These conferences provide a dedicated forum to discuss the care of elite female athletes across sports and disciplines. It allows sharing of knowledge, open discussion and healthy debate ensuring we provide optimal care for our female athletes. The conferences shine a light on some of the key topical issues such as low energy availability, sex and gender related issues in sport, and effective strategic planning related to the female athlete with the sporting setting.' Through these innovative and tailored initiatives, the LTA is setting new standards for female athlete health and support in tennis. By addressing medical needs, providing essential education, prioritising nutrition, and driving research, the LTA is empowering female athletes to thrive both on and off the court.
South Wales Argus
20 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
LTA to support British women's tennis players' health
The initiative will offer bespoke support around education, nutrition and research as well as medical screening to optimise their performance and well-being. The programme has been designed to address specific challenges female athletes face, offering targeted interventions and expert guidance, led by LTA Chief Medical Officer Dr Guy Evans. Examples include offering medical screenings to all professional players supported via the LTA Player Pathway. These screenings are tailored around female health and menstrual cycles, and gives the athletes access to specialised medical support tailored to their physical reproductive health needs. A podcast series has been launched featuring discussions with leading experts to highlight and educate critical female health issues that impact elite athletes. DEXA scanning (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) has been introduced to assess bone mineral density, providing vital data on injury prevention and energy balance (Image: LTA) Pioneering research into understanding and mitigating health risks for female athletes has also been announced as well as a Pregnancy and Maternity Policy – the first of its kind in British tennis – to support players through pregnancy and postpartum recovery. LTA National Coach and former British No.1 Katie O'Brien said: 'The sporting health of our athletes is significantly important to us since this is awareness of female health has been growing massively in recent years since I was a player. 'We would like to thank Dr. Guy Evans for his leadership in driving work forward so we are able to support our British female players the best that we can and help them achieve their best performance.' In late 2024, the LTA launched a Breast Health and Bra Fitting Service for female players, highlighting the importance of wearing a correctly fitted sports bra for both performance and breast health. For the past two years, the LTA has hosted the UK Sports Gynaecology Conference at the National Tennis Centre, bringing together chief medical officers, gynaecological surgeons, and sports science experts to discuss and advance female athlete health. The 2025 event saw over 50 industry leaders gather in Roehampton, tackling issues such as low energy availability, gender-specific concerns in sport, and effective medical strategies for female athletes. Dr Evans added: 'These conferences provide a dedicated forum to discuss the care of elite female athletes across sports and disciplines. It allows sharing of knowledge, open discussion and healthy debate ensuring we provide optimal care for our female athletes. The conferences shine a light on some of the key topical issues such as low energy availability, sex and gender related issues in sport, and effective strategic planning related to the female athlete with the sporting setting.' Through these innovative and tailored initiatives, the LTA is setting new standards for female athlete health and support in tennis. By addressing medical needs, providing essential education, prioritising nutrition, and driving research, the LTA is empowering female athletes to thrive both on and off the court.
