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Hearing of microwave pulses by humans and animals: effects, mechanism, and thresholds

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Authors not listed · 2007

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Microwave pulses can be heard as sounds because they heat head tissues, creating pressure waves that reach the inner ear.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers investigated the unusual phenomenon where humans and animals can actually hear pulsed microwave radiation, despite electromagnetic waves normally being invisible and silent. The study found that microwave pulses create tiny heat expansions in head tissues that generate sound waves, which travel through bone to the inner ear where they're perceived as clicks or buzzing sounds. This effect occurs with frequencies from hundreds of MHz to tens of GHz, including those used by wireless devices and MRI machines.

Why This Matters

This research reveals one of the most fascinating and unsettling aspects of microwave radiation exposure. The fact that our bodies can literally convert electromagnetic energy into audible sound demonstrates just how readily biological tissues interact with these frequencies. What's particularly significant is that this effect occurs at power levels well within the range of everyday wireless devices and medical equipment like MRI scanners.

The thermoelastic mechanism described here shows that microwave energy doesn't just pass harmlessly through our bodies. Instead, it creates measurable physical changes, heating tissues enough to generate acoustic pressure waves. While the microwave auditory effect itself may seem benign, it serves as compelling evidence that electromagnetic fields interact with biological systems in ways we're only beginning to understand. The reality is that if microwaves can create sound in our heads, we should take seriously the possibility of other, less obvious biological effects.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's hundreds of MHz to tens of GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: hundreds of MHz to tens of GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2007). Hearing of microwave pulses by humans and animals: effects, mechanism, and thresholds.
Show BibTeX
@article{hearing_of_microwave_pulses_by_humans_and_animals_effects_mechanism_and_thresholds_ce1670,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Hearing of microwave pulses by humans and animals: effects, mechanism, and thresholds},
  year = {2007},
  doi = {10.1097/01.HP.0000250644.84530.e2},
  
}
DOI: 10.1097/01.HP.0000250644.84530.e2PubMed: 17495664

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, humans and animals can hear pulsed microwave radiation as clicks, buzzes, or chirping sounds. This occurs when microwave pulses heat tissues in the head, creating pressure waves that travel through bone to the inner ear where they're perceived as sound.
Microwave frequencies from hundreds of MHz to tens of GHz can create audible effects. This range includes frequencies used by cell phones, WiFi, and other wireless devices, as well as medical equipment like MRI scanners.
Microwave pulses heat soft tissues in the head, causing rapid thermal expansion that launches acoustic pressure waves. These waves travel by bone conduction to the inner ear, where they activate normal hearing receptors through the thermoelastic effect.
Yes, only pulsed microwave radiation creates the auditory effect, not continuous waves. The hearing phenomenon requires the rapid on-off pattern of pulses to generate the thermal expansion and acoustic pressure waves necessary for sound perception.
Many wireless communication devices operate in frequency ranges capable of producing microwave hearing effects. However, the specific pulse characteristics, power levels, and exposure conditions determine whether the auditory phenomenon actually occurs during normal device use.