Acoustic Signals and Physiological Effects on U.S. Diplomats in Cuba

This JASON report, dated November 2018, provides a rapid-response assessment of a series of incidents affecting U.S. personnel stationed in Havana, Cuba. Affected individuals reported a variety of medical symptoms, including persistent sleep disturbance, visual symptoms, cognitive difficulty, headaches, and balance problems. Many also reported hearing unusual, high-pitched, and directional sounds. JASON was tasked with evaluating the potential sources of these acoustic sensations and suggesting protective measures. The study reviewed audio and video recordings provided by embassy personnel, case reports, and medical data. JASON concluded that the recorded sounds are not electronic in origin but are instead consistent with bioacoustic noise, specifically the call of the Indies short-tailed cricket, Anurogryllis celerinictus. The report notes that the spectral properties of the recordings match the cricket's call when room echoes are considered. JASON found no evidence that the recorded signals were produced by high-power radiofrequency or ultrasound pulses, and judged it highly unlikely that pulsed RF could mimic acoustic signals in the brain via the Frey effect. The report highlights a significant lack of baseline medical data for the affected personnel, making it difficult to establish a causal link between the reported sounds and the observed medical conditions. JASON also expressed concerns regarding the methodology and lack of peer-reviewed data in studies conducted by Dr. Michael Hoffer, noting that his diagnostic system lacked FDA approval. The report suggests that while the sounds themselves may not be harmful, they could potentially be used by an adversary as a form of deception to mask other activities. JASON recommends further research into the insect hypothesis, including additional recordings and field experiments, and emphasizes the critical need for pre-deployment baseline medical testing for all U.S. personnel.