Sound systems specialist Toby Hayes of Manchester City University (UK) commented on the possible use of acoustic weapons in Cuba against American diplomats. New Scientist asked for the expert's opinion.
“Overall, I would be quite cautious about [US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's] statements. To be honest, this is more the territory of [popular American science fiction writer] Philip Dick, says Hayes. "Nevertheless, we live in a rather surreal world."
The expert noted that there are two ways of hearing loss due to exposure to acoustic waves. The first one involves the use of infrasound - acoustic waves with a frequency lower than that perceived by the human ear (16 hertz). The second is ultrasound (waves with a frequency of more than 20 thousand hertz).
To create infrasound, which can cause serious harm to human health, a large number of subwoofers are needed, which are difficult to hide from prying eyes, Hayes said. On the other hand, the generation of ultrasound does not involve the use of massive equipment, however, to cause damage, the sound wave must be directed directly into the ear.
In December 2016, several American diplomats in Cuba began to experience hearing problems. Some of the US diplomatic missions had to return home. An American investigation has shown that the cause of this is the effect of sound waves outside the range of the human ear. Tillerson blamed the Cuban authorities for what happened to the diplomats. The latter deny their involvement in the incident, but began an investigation.