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Auditory and Stress Effects of Long-Range Acoustic Devices in Hybrid Warfare: A Narrative Review
Amir Nejad-Moghadam *1 , Mohammad Reza Mansouri Rad2
1- Marine Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , mab.biology@gmail.com
2- Marine Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract:   (19 Views)
The Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) is increasingly employed in hybrid warfare due to its unique capability to generate highly directional sound waves. The physiological effects of LRAD exposure raise significant concerns, as such exposure can result in acute hearing damage, disequilibrium, and pronounced psychological stress. Sound levels produced by LRAD systems may exceed 160 dB, posing a substantial risk to auditory function and often causing severe discomfort or pain. Prolonged exposure has been associated with an elevated incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with affected individuals experiencing flashbacks and heightened auditory sensitivity. Furthermore, the sensory overload and disorientation induced by LRAD emissions can impair decision-making capacity and situational awareness, thereby complicating crisis response. In conclusion, although LRAD serves a critical tactical function in contemporary hybrid conflicts, the well-documented risks of both acute and long-term psychological and physiological harm to combatants and non-combatants necessitate the urgent development of comprehensive operational guidelines and robust ethical frameworks. Such measures are essential to ensure that its deployment aligns with human rights standards and minimizes long-term collateral harm.

 
Keywords: Long-Range Acoustic Device, Hybrid warfare, Physiological effects.
     
Type of Study: Review | Subject: Neurology
Received: 2025/09/4 | Revised: 2026/05/12 | Accepted: 2026/01/20
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons — Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)