Auditory system response to radio frequency energy
Frey AH · 1961
This 1961 study proved radio frequency energy can directly affect human hearing, establishing RF bioeffects beyond heating.
Plain English Summary
This 1961 research by Allan Frey investigated how the human auditory system responds to radio frequency electromagnetic energy. The study explored whether RF energy could produce auditory sensations or affect hearing in human subjects. This was pioneering research into what would later become known as the 'microwave auditory effect' or 'Frey effect.'
Why This Matters
This groundbreaking 1961 study by Allan Frey represents one of the earliest scientific investigations into direct biological effects of radio frequency energy on human sensory systems. What makes this research particularly significant is that it documented measurable auditory responses to RF exposure in humans, establishing that electromagnetic fields can directly interact with our nervous system in ways beyond simple heating. The reality is that this work laid the foundation for decades of research into RF bioeffects that the wireless industry has consistently downplayed. While modern devices operate at different frequencies and power levels than those studied by Frey, the fundamental principle remains the same: electromagnetic energy can produce biological responses in human tissue. This challenges the industry's long-held position that non-ionizing radiation only causes harm through heating effects.
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagram extracted from the original research document.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To investigate whether the human auditory system can respond to electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum and to document the nature and conditions of this response.
Two RF transmitters with different parameters were used in experiments. Transmitter A had a frequenc...
Subjects reported hearing a buzzing sound (RF sound) when exposed to RF transmitters. The effect was...
The human auditory system can respond to electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency spectrum. The response is instantaneous and occurs at low power densities, well below levels necessary for biological damage. The phenomenon is not dependent on visual cues and can be perceived even when subjects are blindfolded or when the RF beam is swept across their head. The ability to perceive the RF sound appears to be related to the ability to perceive audio above approximately 5 KC, although not necessarily by air conduction.
Show BibTeX
@article{auditory_system_response_to_radio_frequency_energy_g6704,
author = {Frey AH},
title = {Auditory system response to radio frequency energy},
year = {1961},
}