Special acoustic devices of law enforcement agencies: a short history, medical and biological effects on the hearing organ

Relevance. The introduction of special acoustic devices into the security system necessitates a medical and biological assessment of the impact of acoustic signals.Intention – To analyze domestic and foreign literature on the history of acoustic weapons and their medical and biological effects, as well as to study current ideas about sound-induced damage to operators of this equipment and exposed persons.Methodology. In this paper, we analyzed domestic and foreign publications (monographs, articles) about creation and use of special acoustic devices as non-lethal acoustic weapons. Besides, regulatory documents on safe levels of noise exposure were analyzed. PubMed, Russian Science Citation Index, Сonsultant plus database were also searched.Results and Discussion. Non-lethal acoustic weapons were developed and their effects studied mainly by foreign researchers (USA, UK). Sources of special acoustic signals (sound generators, cannons, grenades) are mainly used to disperse crowds of people and control illegal actions against law-enforcement officers. Such weapons are widely used by foreign police and military personnel (USA, Georgia, Ukraine etc.). Only a few publications in Russian describe special acoustic effects on the hearing organ of animals and humans.Conclusion. Safety assessment of acoustic effects of special devices is very important and requires further study in relation to the national legislation.