Tag

Earplugs

All articles tagged with #earplugs

health21 days ago

Why Christmas Dinner Calls for Earplugs

The article discusses how individuals with misophonia, a condition causing intense discomfort from certain sounds, find Christmas challenging due to noisy family interactions. It highlights personal stories and offers coping techniques like visualization, turning sounds into a game, and creating narratives to manage the emotional response during festive gatherings.

health-and-wellness1 year ago

"Surprising Health Benefits of Using Earplugs"

Earplugs offer more than just hearing protection, providing benefits such as noise reduction, better sleep, improved focus, and reduced sensory overload. They can help protect against hearing loss, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality, making them a convenient tool for everyday life. However, it's important to use earplugs safely, taking breaks to prevent wax buildup and being mindful of potential risks such as missing important sounds. Alternatives like earmuffs and noise-canceling headphones also offer options for protecting hearing and promoting peace of mind.

legal-settlement2 years ago

"3M Pays $6 Billion Settlement to Veterans Over Faulty Earplugs"

3M has agreed to pay $253 million to over 30,000 active service members and veterans in a settlement over a lawsuit alleging that its combat earplugs caused hearing loss and other related injuries. The earplugs, sold to the U.S. military from 1999-2015, were at the center of a larger $6 billion lawsuit involving more than 250,000 veterans and active service members. The settlement, announced in August, has received widespread support, and 3M will be sending the payment by the end of January. The lawsuit alleged that the earplugs were defective and did not provide adequate hearing protection, leading to hearing loss, tinnitus, and other injuries.

legal-settlement2 years ago

"3M Completes $253M January Payment, Reaches Milestone in $6B Earplug Settlement"

3M has begun the payout of a $6 billion settlement to veterans and military service members for defective earplugs, issuing $253 million in January to over 30,000 past and present service members. The settlement resolves hundreds of thousands of complaints alleging that the earplugs failed to protect from hearing loss. The defective earplugs were developed by Aearo Technologies, acquired by 3M in 2008, and the settlement amount is significantly less than initially predicted, impacting 3M's financial results.

legal-settlement2 years ago

"3M Settles $6 Billion Lawsuit Over Faulty Earplugs"

3M has agreed to pay over $6 billion to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by consumers and military members who claimed that the company's earplugs were defective and caused hearing loss and other injuries. The settlement, which will be paid out between 2023 and 2029, includes $5 billion in cash and $1 billion in 3M common stock. The plaintiffs alleged that the earplugs, manufactured between 2003 and 2015, became loose and exposed them to harmful sounds. 3M maintains that the earplugs are safe when used properly and the settlement is not an admission of liability.

legal2 years ago

3M's $6 billion earplug settlement sparks more legal battles

3M has reached a $6.01 billion settlement with approximately 250,000 plaintiffs who alleged that the company manufactured defective earplugs resulting in hearing loss. However, 3M still faces other legal challenges, including a $10.3 billion settlement awaiting approval over drinking water contamination with "forever chemicals." The company's total liability risk related to PFAS contamination is estimated to be nearly $30 billion. 3M has also faced lawsuits from countries such as the Netherlands and Belgium. To fund its settlements, 3M has cut costs and plans to spin off its health-care business. The company's dividend is at risk, and analysts expect it to be lowered following the spin-out.

business2 years ago

3M Settles $6B Lawsuits Over Faulty Military Earplugs, Stock Surges

3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle approximately 300,000 lawsuits claiming that the company supplied faulty combat earplugs to the US military, resulting in hearing loss and other injuries. The settlement will be paid over several years and includes $5 billion in cash and $1 billion in stock. 3M denies liability and maintains that the earplugs are safe when used properly. This is the second major settlement for 3M this summer, following a $10.3 billion agreement to fund public water suppliers affected by its toxic "forever chemicals."

legal2 years ago

3M Settles $6B Lawsuits Over Faulty Military Earplugs

Manufacturing giant 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle hundreds of thousands of claims brought by military veterans who alleged that its earplugs caused hearing loss and tinnitus during their service. The settlement, which resolves one of the largest mass torts in U.S. history, includes $5 billion in cash and $1 billion in stock. While 3M denies any liability and maintains that its earplugs are safe when used properly, the company is prepared to defend itself through litigation if certain terms of the settlement agreement are not fulfilled. The case originated from a whistleblower lawsuit filed by rival earplug maker Moldex-Metric on behalf of the U.S. government, alleging a known defect in the earplugs.

business2 years ago

3M Settles for $5.5B in Military Earplugs Case, Shares Climb

3M is nearing a settlement of approximately $5.5 billion to resolve hundreds of thousands of complaints by military veterans who claim that the company's earplugs failed to protect them from hearing loss. The proposed settlement amount is significantly less than earlier predictions of $10 billion to $15 billion. The earplug litigation represents the largest mass tort in U.S. history, with over 300,000 claims. 3M has argued that the earplugs work when used with proper training. This settlement comes after a tentative settlement in June for another case involving "forever chemicals" in drinking water, which could cost 3M up to $12.5 billion over five years.

health2 years ago

The Rise of Earplugs: A Millennial and Gen Z Trend Boosted by Taylor Swift's Tour

Earplugs are trending among millennials and Gen Z as more people become aware of the importance of protecting their hearing. Noise exposure-induced hearing loss is the only kind of hearing loss that is preventable, and even one incident in a loud environment can cause permanent damage. Concert earplugs with filters are recommended for music events to maintain sound quality, while foam earplugs are effective for general hearing protection. Sound levels above 80 decibels are harmful, and a decibel meter app can help determine the intensity of sounds. It is recommended to see an audiologist for a baseline hearing test around age 45. Custom earplugs made by an audiologist are considered the most comfortable and effective option for hearing protection.

technology2 years ago

Concert-Ready Ear Protection: Sennheiser SoundProtex Plus Review

Sennheiser's SoundProtex Plus earplugs offer customizable hearing protection for concerts and other loud events. Made of medical-grade TPE, the earplugs come with three sets of cone-shaped ear tips in small, medium, and large sizes, and different acoustic filters that offer varying levels of decibel reduction. While the earplugs do dull high- and low-end frequencies, they don't significantly alter the overall sonic curve. The SoundProtex Plus is more expensive than other earplugs on the market, but its customizable options make it a worthwhile investment for frequent concert-goers.