A question I can't seem to get answered, about LRADS and the deaf

[GobBluth]

I am deaf (small D). I don't hear conversational speech until it is a loud as a jet (about 140 dB), and I feel that is being generous for me (the brain is an amazing thing in what it does to make up for what it "lost", so I have a hard time believing my hearing tests). From what I can google, these Lrads go to 130. If I didn't have my hearing aids in would this affect me at all? For some reason I just want to know. I guess they would just shoot me instead if I was the one person not to run screaming in pain, thinking I must be "odd" instead of just deaf.

[csziggy]

1. Not a great source with conflicting answers

I couldn't find a better source and I'm not satisfied with this one.

Is it possible that deaf people can become immune to LRAD attacks?
Best Answer

billrussell42 answered 3 years ago

Please don't use abbreviations if you want good answers. I had to research it to find:

The Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) is a crowd control and distance hailing device developed by LRAD Corporation to send messages, warnings and deterrent tones over longer distances than normal loudspeakers.

According to the manufacturer's specifications, the systems weigh from 15 to 320 pounds (6.8 to 150 kg) and can emit sound in a 30° beam at 2.5 kHz. LRAD's largest system at maximum level can emit a warning tone of 153 dBSPL measured at 1 meter while the smallest system can reach 137 dB measured at 1 meter.

LRAD systems are used by maritime, law enforcement, military and commercial security companies to send instructions and warnings over distances, and to deter aggressors. LRAD is also used to deter wildlife from airport runways, wind and solar farms, nuclear power facilities, mining and agricultural operations and other industrial facilities.


Yes, totally deaf people should not be bothered by this. Not "become immune".


L. E. Gant answered 3 years ago
LRAD is rather a strange approach.

As a weapon, it would be using infra- or ultra- sounds. These are effective, not from what people hear, but the vibrations. Vibrations can be felt even by the most deaf person. So, immunity would not be possible.

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110730131911AA77Sqn

[GobBluth]

3. hmmmmmmm

Now just have to make myself immune to tear gas and rubber/wooden bullets......I remember protesting here in Tampa, during RNC. They brought out a Lrad, didn't use it (that I know of), and for some reason I just shrugged. lol. Strange benefit to losing my hearing maybe? Always look for the brighter side, no?

[GobBluth]

4. oh the vibrations!

Yes I feel vibrations. crap.

[Downwinder]

2. I have been wondering the same.

[Chan790]

5. In a similar boat. I can attempt to answer.

I believe it depends why/how you're deaf/HoH.

I have Meniere's disease (only one ear is affected but it's near-total deafness, the other is slightly (~25%) hearing-impaired...I was born deaf and had surgery; prior to my Meniere's, I was slightly hearing-impaired in both ears.)...it's actually probably worse for me as the cause of my HoH-ness is, in part, intra-cochlear pressure. The LRAD vibrations travel as-well if not better through the excess cochlear lymph when I'm having an episode. Its balance-impairment/nausea effects on the vestibular system wrecked my shit. I can't hear it in my bad ear but I know immediately when it was turned on. The same would presumably be true of people HoH due to Eustachian tube blockage or malformation. Let's think of these as structural causes of deafness. LRAD is going to work just as well on these people. (Based on what you're saying, this is probably you.) As a general rule, if it can be corrected with a hearing aid, it's in this group.

Conversely, if the reason you're HoH is nerve damage, ototoxic poisoning, brain cancer, labyrinthectomy or some other cause which impairs/blocks the "signal" as opposed to the structural defects above...then no, it would likely have little or no effect on you. The signal wouldn't reach the brain.