A former British Army mortar platoon soldier now forced to wear hearing aids today told how he is joining thousands of other troops suing 3M, the US supplier of combat earplugs that did not work.
Johnny Bradley, 35, a father-of-two, originally from Northern Ireland, joined 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment in 2006 aged 16, serving for 19 years, including two deployments to Afghanistan and one to the Falklands.
He and his colleagues believed their hearing was protected by the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs version 2 (CAEv2) they were issued with.
More 3,000 British troops have joined the claim
But the CAEv2s did not give users the protection they claimed to offer, according to UK law firm KP Law, which is bringing the UK’s first group action lawsuit against 3M on behalf of thousands of affected British troops, including Johnny. More than 3,000 British troops have joined the claim so far.
Throughout his time in the military, particularly as an ordnance specialist, Johnny was exposed to loud noises in training and on operational tours.
He now suffers from “constant” tinnitus – a high-pitched ringing in his ears – and must wear hearing aids in both ears to hear everyday sounds due to hearing loss. His hearing damage exacerbates his ADHD and contributes to his anxiety and sporadic bouts of depression, he said.
‘I’m only 35 and I have to wear hearing aids in both ears’
“I spent most of my time in a mortar platoon exposed to loud noises,” said Johnny, who, like many Northern Irish veterans, now lives in Telford, Shropshire, near to Clive Barracks, the base of 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment at Tern Hill, Market Drayton.
“It’s frustrating to learn that my colleagues and I were issued with kit that was meant to protect us but didn’t.
“I’m only 35 and I have to wear hearing aids in both ears. The hearing loss is rubbish but the tinnitus is worse. It’s constant, including at night. I really struggle to switch off.”
‘Not being able hear makes my autism worse’
Johnny recalled how he got emotional after being given his hearing aids.
“I cried when I got the hearing aids because suddenly I could hear birds singing and other sounds that previously hadn’t been able to hear. They have changed my life, but I would really rather not have to wear them,” he said.
“I suffer with autism and ADHD. Not being able to hear properly, and my constant tinnitus, makes my autism worse. I struggle in crowded spaces. It adds to my anxiety and depression.”
Johnny added: “I think 3M is liable here. They supplied us with hearing protection that did not work, and now many of us are living with the consequences.
“As a young soldier, I just thought: ‘The British Army is the best in the world, so the kit we’re issued with will do the job it’s meant to do.’ It turns out I was wrong.”
KP Law issued pre-action letter to 3M in September
Legal proceedings were launched at the end of September seeking justice and compensation for hearing-impaired British troops supplied with CAEv2s, when KP Law issued its letter before action – outlining the details of the case it is bringing in the UK courts on behalf of the thousands of clients it is representing.
This comes after 3M, a global conglomerate headquartered in Minnesota, agreed in 2023 to set aside more than $6bn to settle claims from US military personnel.
3M supplied at least 400,000 sets of CAEv2s to the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) over 20 years, from 2003 to 2023.
The Royal British Legion estimates more than 300,000 men and women who served in Britain’s Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force now suffer from life-changing hearing difficulties.
As well as hearing loss and tinnitus, many British troops now suffer from related issues including stress, anxiety and depression.
KP Law launched a campaign earlier this year calling for affected UK veterans and armed forces personnel to sign up to its’ group action lawsuit against 3M.
With thousands now having joined the claim, KP Law’s pre-action letter puts 3M on formal notice of potential court action in the UK seeking justice and compensation for British troops affected.
KP Law seeking justice and compesnation for imapcted British troops
Tom Longstaff, partner and head of product liability at KP Law, said: “Our message is clear: the service men and women who used this defective product believed their hearing was protected as they risked their lives in combat. It is only right that they now receive justice and compensation, as has been made available to American users of the device in the United States.”
Earlier this year Neil Shastri-Hurst, MP for Solihull West & Shirley, demanded an independent public inquiry into the 3M earplugs scandal.
At defence questions in the House of Commons, addressing Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, he said: “For many veterans hearing loss is one of the hidden scars of service. In a number of cases that has been linked with defective 3M hearing equipment. Will the Minister use their arts of persuasion on the Prime Minister to have an independent inquiry to see the extent of this, whether any other equipment is involved and how we can prevent it happening again?”
Join the claim at www.3M claims.co.uk
Individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible to join KP Law’s class action lawsuit:
- Served in the armed forces
- Suffer from or suspect they suffer from hearing loss
- Used 3M Combat Arms Earplugs V2 (CAEv2)
KP Law is working to obtain justice and compensation for eligible UK military personnel directly from the manufacturer 3M.
Military vets who have previously joined a claim against the MoD are also able to join KP Law’s claim against 3M. KP Law’s claim against 3M is entirely separate.
3M response
A spokesperson for 3M said: “3M has great respect for the British Armed Forces. We are proud of our commitment to keeping service members safe through the supply of 3M products and we take the allegations concerning our Combat Arms Earplug Version 2 seriously. When used properly, this product was safe and effective for its intended purpose.
“The resolution of previous litigation in the United States did not involve any admission of liability and 3M is prepared to defend itself in any litigation threatened in the English courts regarding that product.”
