Thousands of British veterans are preparing for a legal showdown with US manufacturing giant 3M and the UK Ministry of Defence, alleging that faulty earplugs supplied during their military service have left them with life-altering hearing loss and tinnitus. This legal action, formally launched on September 30, 2025, is the first of its kind in the UK and follows years of mounting evidence and frustration among former service personnel who claim their hearing was irreparably damaged by equipment meant to protect them on the battlefield.
At the heart of this case is Dave Watson, a 38-year-old from Romsley, Worcestershire, whose story has put a human face on the controversy. Watson, a triple amputee who lost both legs and his right arm to an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in May 2010, now faces a new, invisible injury—progressive deafness. According to BirminghamLive and the BBC, Watson says he began using the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs V2 in 2007, wearing them for up to 12 hours a day during patrols outside Camp Bastion. He says his hearing problems began about 18 months ago, and doctors have now told him he needs hearing aids in both ears.
“It’s bad enough losing three limbs but now I am having to wear hearing aids because I’m going deaf,” Watson told BirminghamLive. He described the constant high-pitched ringing in his ears—a condition known as tinnitus—saying, “It stresses me out and makes me angry. All the time I’ve got this ringing in my ears. Sometimes I wake up and it’s really loud. I can hear it constantly throughout the day. It affects me daily. My wife often has to shout at me because I can’t hear her. Recently, I had a hearing test and the doctor told me I need hearing aids for both ears.”
Watson’s case is far from isolated. The legal campaign is being spearheaded by KP Law, a specialist group action law firm, which issued a formal letter to 3M on September 30, 2025, outlining the claim on behalf of thousands of UK veterans. The letter puts 3M on notice of potential court action, seeking justice and compensation for British troops affected by the allegedly defective earplugs. KP Law’s Tom Longstaff, partner and head of product liability, did not mince words: “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.”
The 3M Combat Arms Earplugs V2 were supplied to the UK’s Ministry of Defence from 2003 to 2023, with at least 400,000 sets distributed, according to KP Law. The earplugs were designed to shield users from damaging blasts while still allowing them to hear spoken commands—an essential feature in the chaos of combat. However, a lawyer representing British veterans told the BBC, “We’ve got very strong evidence that this product was defective, [and] that it suffered from a design flaw, which is well-documented in some of the cases that have already proceeded in the US.”
The issue of hearing loss among veterans is not new. Since the 2019/20 fiscal year, the Ministry of Defence has paid out 6,735 damage claims for hearing loss, underscoring the scale of the problem. In a statement to LBC, the ministry said, “We take the health and wellbeing of our personnel seriously and always look at how we can reduce noise levels in their working environment. This is alongside providing training, protective equipment and regular hearing tests to detect any early signs of hearing loss, so action can be taken if necessary. The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme provides no-fault compensation to Service Personnel and veterans for injuries, illness and death caused by service.”
For Watson, the impact of hearing loss has been profound. “I’d wake up in the early hours of the morning with a ringing in my ears, but I get it all through the day now,” he told the BBC. “I can’t hear when my kids are calling me, I can’t hear when my wife is calling me, so it’s had a big impact on my family life.”
The legal action in the UK follows a precedent set in the United States, where in 2023, 3M agreed to set aside more than $6 billion to settle claims from 240,000 US military personnel. However, the company has consistently maintained that the resolution “did not involve any admission of liability.” In a statement provided to both BirminghamLive and the BBC, a 3M spokesperson 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.”
The controversy has also drawn political attention. Earlier in September 2025, Neil Shastri-Hurst, Member of Parliament for Solihull West and Shirley, called for an independent public inquiry into the 3M earplugs scandal, reflecting broader concerns about accountability and veterans’ welfare. The call for an inquiry comes amid growing demands for transparency and justice, especially as British veterans seek the same recognition and compensation already awarded to their American counterparts.
While the legal process is just beginning in the UK, the stakes are high—not only for the thousands of veterans seeking redress but also for the Ministry of Defence and 3M, whose reputations and financial liabilities hang in the balance. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how multinational corporations and governments are held accountable for the safety of military equipment provided to service personnel.
As the legal battle unfolds, Watson’s journey stands as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. After his injuries in Afghanistan, he battled depression and substance abuse before finding purpose through sport. He became a motivational speaker and went on to win gold medals in shot put and discus at several Invictus Games, including the 2018 Games in Sydney. He has even come out of retirement to train for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. Yet, as he and thousands of others now fight for recognition of their hearing injuries, the question remains: will their voices finally be heard?
The story of Britain’s veterans and their fight for justice is far from over. As the courts prepare to hear their claims, the nation—and the world—will be watching closely to see whether those who served on the front lines will finally receive the answers and support they deserve.
