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By Miriam Raftery
October 4, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) The inner ears of people were “drastically” altered after exposure to low frequency noise. Living close to wind turbines may lead to severe hearing damage or even deafness. Those are the findings of scientists from the University of Munich, Germany, according to a study published in the Royal Society’s Open Science Journal on October 1st.
The scientists studied 21 healthy people ages 18 to 28. After exposure to low frequency sound for just 90 seconds, 17 of the 21 participants had oscillations and measurable changes in the cochlear portion of the ear, which is essential for both hearing and balance.
Dr. Marcus Drexl, one of the authors of the report, said the study might “help to explain some of the symptoms that people who live near wind turbines report, such as sleep disturbance, hearing problems and high blood pressure.”
He added that scientists don’t yet know what happens to people living near wind facilities who are exposed to low frequency sounds for long periods of time, the London Telegraph reports.
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