Noise-induced neurologic disturbances in scuba divers exposed to continuous low-frequency tones for durations longer than 15 minutes has involved in some cases the development of immediate and long-term problems affecting brain tissue. The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) has stated that there have been no proven biological effects associated with an unfocused sound beam with intensities below 100 mW/cm² SPTA or focused sound beams below an intensity level of 1 mW/cm² SPTA. Damage increases rapidly as intensity is increased. Tests performed on mice show the threshold for both lung and liver damage occurs at about 184 dB. No follow up experiments were recommended. Researchers found that low-frequency sonar exposure could result in significant cavitations, hypothermia, and tissue shearing. The extra-aural (unrelated to hearing) bioeffects on various internal organs and the central nervous system included auditory shifts, vibrotactile sensitivity change, muscle contraction, cardiovascular function change, central nervous system effects, vestibular (inner ear) effects, and chest wall/lung tissue effects. See: Microwave auditory effect Effects other than to the ears Heart rate patterns following vibroacoustic stimulation has resulted in serious negative consequences such as atrial flutter and bradycardia. Studies have found that exposure to high intensity ultrasound at frequencies from 700 kHz to 3.6 MHz can cause lung and intestinal damage in mice. See also: United States Department of Defense policy on non-lethal weapons
SONIC SOUND EFFECTS PORTABLE
It has also been reported that China has developed the first hand-held portable sonic gun to target protestors. However, more recent reports hypothesize microwave energy as the cause.
It has been reported that "sonic attacks" may have taken place in the American embassy in Cuba in 20 (" Havana syndrome"), leading to health problems, including hearing loss, in US and Canadian government employees at the US and Canadian embassies in Havana. Some police forces have used sound cannons against protesters, for example during the 2009 G20 Pittsburgh summit, the 2014 Ferguson unrest, and the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protest in North Dakota, among others. High-amplitude sound of a specific pattern at a frequency close to the sensitivity peak of human hearing (2–3 kHz) is used as a burglar deterrent. In 20, Greek authorities used long range sound cannons to deter migrants on the Turkish border. Age-related hearing loss apparently prevents the ultra-high pitch sound from causing a nuisance to those in their late twenties and above, though this is wholly dependent on a young person's past exposure to high sound pressure levels. The device works by emitting an ultra-high frequency blast (around 19–20 kHz) that teenagers or people under approximately 20 are susceptible to and find uncomfortable. The Mosquito sonic devices have been used in the United Kingdom to deter teenagers from lingering around shops in target areas. A similar system is called a "magnetic acoustic device". More commonly this device and others of similar design have been used to disperse protesters and rioters in crowd control efforts.
An LRAD was used by the crew of the cruise ship Seabourn Spirit in 2005 to deter pirates who chased and attacked the ship. The Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) produces a 30 degree cone of audible sound in frequencies within the human hearing spectrum (20 Hz – 20kHz). Some detective work implicated a newly installed extractor fan that, Tandy found, was generating infrasound of 18.9 Hz, 0.3 Hz, and 9 Hz. This "spook" was characterised by a feeling of unease and vague glimpses of a grey apparition.
The possibility of a device that produces frequency that causes vibration of the eyeballs-and therefore distortion of vision-was suggested by paranormal researcher Vic Tandy in the 1990s while attempting to demystify a "haunting" in his laboratory in Coventry. The use of these frequencies to incapacitate persons has occurred both in anti-citizen special operation and crowd control settings. Less powerful sound waves can cause humans to experience nausea or discomfort. This is usually sufficient to incapacitate a person. An NYPD officer stands ready with the LRAD 500X at an Occupy Wall Street protest on Novemnear the city hallĮxtremely high-power sound waves can disrupt or destroy the eardrums of a target and cause severe pain or disorientation.