Can Sound Be Used as a Weapon?
If there is something that for many years have determined the human communication, I will say it is sound. For years, we just associate sounds to basically music or songs but sounds are used beyond that. In ancient days, it is used beyond those. Sounds are used as a form of communication and also for environmental awareness back then.
In fact, in Ancient days, sounds are used for weapons which might be shocking to a whole lot of us but that is the truth. I am talking about been used as a weapon physically and also psychologically. Sounds are used as sonic weapon. Research makes me understand that there are some high level of sounds vibrations that can affect attract human tissues. As a weapon, sounds used as a sonic weapon can be used as an audible sound or as an infrasound range.
When it comes to sonic weapons, we have types ranging from what they are used for and how they are been used. We have the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD). Marjory these ones are used in cases like crowd control. They are able to express communication through sounds from a very far distance. Whenever these types of sonic weapons are used, people are advised not to be close to it because it can lead to hearing damage due to the huge beams of sound that is radiating out.
The second aspect is the ultrasound. This is the most common type of sound been used as a weapon and is quite common. In fact, it is mostly used in wars and also for medical imaging. Ultrasounds according to research have over 20,000 Hz which is quite huge. In fact, ultrasound if not carefully used can lead to hearing loss.
Beyond the physical side of sonic weapon or sounds been used as a weapon, it is also been used as a psychological weapon. Even in our present society, sounds on its own if too much loud can affect sleep, or even cause so much of anxiety. But recently, the use of sounds as a sonic weapon is raising a lot of ethical concerns because of misuse of it. Take for example in the aspect of ultrasound. It is mostly used in the medical field to treat some health issues like cancer and lots more.
But recently, it is been abused even in wars. Not only that, the use of sounds in our society seems to be abused by individuals leading to noise polluting within our environment. The funniest thing about sound is the fact that it can affect you negatively without a viable harm. In ancient days, it is called the invisible weapon and this makes it a very sensitive weapon. In fact, there have been new rules as policy's to find alternative instead of use of sound in crowd control operations.
This is where the balance should come from. Of course we can't do without sound most especially in this present world we are where everyone loves music and generally any sound s that convey strong messages. But let there be regulations and moderation to how we used sounds. Whether it is enjoying cool music in our environment or in any other aspect, let's be cautious of how we make use of sounds because it also have health implications and like I said earlier, the harm are not visible sometimes.