CavCom
GO
866-547-4988
  • Applications
    • High Noise CommunicationHigh Noise Communication
    • Respirator CommunicationRespirator Communication
    • In-Suit CommunicationIn-Suit Communication
    • General Plant CommunicationGeneral Plant Communication
    • Plant Tour/Training CommunicationPlant Tour/Training Communication
    • Intrinsically Safe EnvironmentsIntrinsically Safe Environments
    • Moderate Noise EnvironmentsModerate Noise Environments
    • Hearing ProtectionHearing Protection
    • Social Distancing CommunicationSocial Distancing Communication
     
    Need assistance from
    one of our experts?
    Call: 866-547-4988
    OR
     
    Click Here »
  • Products
    • Talk Through Your Ears®Talk Through Your Ears®
    • Custom Hearing ProtectionCustom Hearing Protection
    • Radio Listening EarsetsRadio Listening Earsets
    • HeadsetsHeadsets
    • Lapel Speaker MicsLapel Speaker Mics
    • Cell Phone AccessoriesCell Phone Accessories
    • Tour & Training SystemsTour & Training Systems
    • Earmuffs & EarplugsEarmuffs & Earplugs
    • Radio HarnessesRadio Harnesses
    • ClearTalk™ Voice AmplifierClearTalk™ Voice Amplifier
     
    Need assistance from
    one of our experts?
    Call: 866-547-4988
    OR
     
    Click Here »
  • Services
  • About
    • About CavCom
    • Testimonials
  • Videos
  • Resources
    • Product Information
    • News and Articles
    • Blog
    • Calculators
    • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Applications+
    • High Noise CommunicationHigh Noise Communication
    • Respirator CommunicationRespirator Communication
    • In-Suit CommunicationIn-Suit Communication
    • General Plant CommunicationGeneral Plant Communication
    • Plant Tour/Training CommunicationPlant Tour/Training Communication
    • Intrinsically Safe EnvironmentsIntrinsically Safe Environments
    • Moderate Noise EnvironmentsModerate Noise Environments
    • Hearing ProtectionHearing Protection
    • Social Distancing CommunicationSocial Distancing Communication
  • Products+
    • Talk Through Your Ears®Talk Through Your Ears®
    • Custom Hearing ProtectionCustom Hearing Protection
    • Radio Listening EarsetsRadio Listening Earsets
    • HeadsetsHeadsets
    • Lapel Speaker MicsLapel Speaker Mics
    • Cell Phone AccessoriesCell Phone Accessories
    • Tour & Training SystemsTour & Training Systems
    • Earmuffs & EarplugsEarmuffs & Earplugs
    • Radio HarnessesRadio Harnesses
    • ClearTalk™ Voice AmplifierClearTalk™ Voice Amplifier
  • Services
  • About+
    • About CavCom
    • Testimonials
  • Videos
  • Resources+
    • Product Information
    • News and Articles
    • Blog
    • Calculators
    • FAQ
  • Contact
Need assistance from
one of our experts?
Call: 866-547-4988
OR
Click Here »
News & Articles
PDF

Sonic Attacks in Cuba?

US_Embassy_in_Cuba_2018We all remember the news last year – U.S. diplomats fell ill after hearing strange sounds on assignment in Havana, Cuba. Now, nearly a year later, physicians and scientists have arrived at a frustrating conclusion: many embassy employees show symptoms of traumatic brain injury, but the source is still unknown.

Theories of poisonings, biologic attack, and ultra-sonic weapons immediately proliferated. Diplomats were removed from the embassy in Havana, the U.S. State Department issued travel warnings, and Congress held hearings to investigate. By late 2017, 24 of 80 embassy employees had been diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury. After extensive medical evaluation, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine published results of a preliminary review of medical findings in the February issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Injured diplomats consistently reported exposure to auditory and sensory phenomena coming from a distinct direction in their homes or hotel rooms. Patients experienced headaches, sleep abnormalities, and cognitive, balance, visual and auditory problems. Because of neurological symptoms, these individuals were referred to an academic brain injury center for multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment. Upon review of the medical data, researchers determined that the diplomats had sustained injury to widespread brain networks without associated head trauma. Although the origin of the injuries is still unclear, many experts are skeptical of sonic attacks. And so, studies and debate will continue.

To learn more:

Swanson, Hampton, et al. (2018). Neurological Manifestations Among US Government Personnel Reporting Directional Audible and Sensory Phenomena in Havana, Cuba. Journal of the American Medical Association, 319(11):1125-1133. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.1742

« Back to Previous Page|Show All Articles »
Related Articles
  • Free App for Measuring Sound
  • Smartphone Apps for Noise Measurement - Accuracy Research
  • Managing Earwax
  • Hearing Protection for Military Dogs
  • CavCom QUIZ - Custom Hearing Protection
Categories
  • CavCom News
  • Communication in Noise
  • Hearing Protection
  • Hearing Conservation Programs
  • Occupational Noise
  • Hearing & Hearing Loss
  • Respiratory Protection Programs
contact our experts
Need assistance? Click here to connect with
one of our experts
or call 866-547-4988
Sitemap|Contact
CavCom: 1872 Industries Lane,
Walker, MN 56484
Direct: (218) 967-3900 |
Toll Free: (866) 547-4988
Newsletter Signup »
Linked In Facebook Twitter
© 2021 CavCom Inc. All rights reserved