Loud noises hurt. I experienced this fact firsthand a couple mornings ago when my band director accidentally blasted Chameleon performed by Maynard Ferguson (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ipns0jneLY) on the band hall speakers. Beyond 120 decibels, humans start to experience discomfort and hearing loss starts at 130 decibels.
This LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) is capable of delivering sound as loud as 155 dB, well beyond safe levels. It has been used to disperse protesters in Pittsburgh during the G-20 Summit in 2009 as well as the Ferguson, Missouri protesters.
The manufacturers of this weapon label it as "non-lethal", but its potential to literally blow out your eardrums, interfere with balance, and cause permanent damage must be regulated. Right now, no clear standards are in play for this acoustic arsenal, which is also entirely subject to the operator, for whom proper training is necessary.
Works Cited:
Baldwin, Roberto. "What Is the LRAD Sound Cannon?" Gizmodo. N.p., 08 Aug. 2014. Web. 09 Feb. 2016.
Pasternack, Alex. "The New Sound of Crowd Control." Motherboard. N.p., 17 Dec. 2014. Web. 09 Feb. 2016.
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