According to a new study by British researcher Tim Leighton from the University of Southampton, the intense ultrasound waves to which we are increasingly exposed in everyday life could be to blame for the complaints. The health effects of the inaudible sound waves, e.g. from door openers and loudspeakers in public spaces or chargers at home, are still completely unclear.

How dangerous are the waves?

Ultrasound is defined as frequencies of sound waves that are above our hearing threshold of 16 kHz. Until now, the motto has been: what people cannot hear is not harmful. On the other hand, we know that ultrasound can make rats infertile, for example, or increase the effectiveness of tumor radiation.

Our everyday life is full of inaudible sound smog

In his study, Leighton has now measured ultrasound exposure in various public places such as train stations and schools. He found that ultrasonic sounds of very high intensity are often present, e.g. from loudspeaker systems. Exposure to these would be equivalent to a shrill, piercing whistle, which could lead to headaches, tinnitus, dizziness and nausea . The researcher therefore urgently recommends further investigations into exposure to ultrasonic smog.