Effects of sound in your ears

Confusion has now abounded not just in terms of the motivation behind these attacks, but with regard to the “science behind the technology being used”.

by Victor Cherubim- Sep 2, 2017

( September 2, 2017, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) CBS News Radio on August 24, 2017 was the first to release a news report about acoustic or sonic attacks involving “mysterious incidents causing physical symptoms in at least 16 Americans linked to the US Embassy, Cuba”. Several were evacuated back to U.S. for hearing problems linked to an acoustic attack”.

For more than half a century (1950) U.S. – Cuba relations had been suspended in the light of the Cold War politics. It was August 2016 that United States reopened the embassy in Cuba and US banks returned to do business and travel restrictions were eased.

Confusion has now abounded not just in terms of the motivation behind these attacks, but with regard to the “science behind the technology being used”.

Cuba is investigating these allegations. Reports state it is highly possible it may have been carried out by a third country, perhaps, hostile to the United States, or even hostile to Cuba.

Ultrasound 

We all have heard of ultrasound tests in hospitals. Here gel is used for the screening of the “body part” that has to undergo the test. This is in the main to block any air bubbles in between the instrument and the body layer for a clear screen.

The effects of Sound 

Sound can have effects that go beyond hearing. Scientists have tested lower frequencies than humans can hear below 20Hz, known as infrasound. They are used by animals including elephants and whales to communicate.

Infrasound could affect human hearing too, either if very loud or if intollerable. Continuous tooting of car horns to avoid traffic or the continuous playing of loud music is considered bad for hearing.

The health effect of exposure to inaudible sound or sonic waves, with frequencies outside that which the human ear can detect, has also been researched. It can cause hearing loss, fatigue, imbalance, vertigo and among other effects confusion and disorientation.

While ultrasound frequencies above 20,000 Hz or 20kHz are also inaudible to the human ear, it can damage the parts of the ear, including hairs in the inner ear that pick up sound. Besides, pressure in the ears, can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including nausea.

Science fiction 

Weapons of sound do not only exist in the realm of science fiction and have been described as “sonic bullets,” Sonic weapons do exist as seen in the film, “The Incredible Hulk” (2006), “Iron Man” (2008) and in series of Batman comics and more recently in Blizzard’s 2016 game, “Overwatch.”

Counter terrorism 

The use of deafening loud sound is so called because it either raptures the ear drums or jolts the tiny bones of the middle ear. The use of frequencies to incapacitate persons has also occurred in counter terrorism and in crowd control.

Burglar alarm 

A similar magnetic acoustic device or high amplitude sound of a specific pattern at a frequency close to the sensitivity peak of human hearing (2 -3kHz) has been used as a burglar alarm.

Scuba diving 

Mostly vestibular (inner ear) ailments and even chest wall/lung tissue affects, researchers have found among the disturbances in scuba divers exposed to continuous low frequency tones in the deep for durations longer than 15 minutes.

The latest control mechanism 

Researchers have further found that the latest way of creating imbalance in humans and causing disorientation, is directing high frequency sound through walls of houses, a covert method of attack, as surveillance.

Besides, Sound has been used in psychological operations. Iraqi POW’s were played “heavy metal” music to deprive them of rest and to make them cooperate in interrogations.

We also know of Police forces in U.S. and other parts of world have access to long range acoustic devices, perhaps, as a tool of last resort.

What we know of sonic attacks is very little? What we should know of the use of sound as a weapon is a worthwhile investigation.

Prolonged exposure to sonic attack could well cause permanent damage not only to our eardrums but also to our wellbeing. But without more hard evidence, this can be claimed as pure speculation. The mystery has only deepened with the recent attack.