Some Maine veterans are joining a lawsuit against the manufacturer of earplugs which they say were defective and caused permanent hearing damage.

According to CBS 13 news, six Maine veterans and five of their wives are suing manufacturer 3M, which made the earplugs used by members of the military to protect their ears during training and combat.

The suit alleges that, from 2003 to 2015, 3M knowingly sold the earplugs, which veterans claim caused permanent hearing loss and ringing in their ears.

A suit filed by the government against 3M was resolved in 2018, with the company agreeing to pay $9 million but not admitting to any wrongdoing.