The microwave auditory effect was first reported by persons working in the vicinity of radar transponders. Microwave auditory effect consists of audible clicks produced by microwave pulses and perceived directly by the recipient without the aid of any receiving equipment.

Initial research by NASA in the 1970s showed that this effect occurs as a result of thermal expansion of parts of the human ear around the cochlea, even at low power density. Later, signal modulation was found to produce sounds or words that appeared to originate intracranially. It was studied for its possible use in communications but has not been developed due to the possible hazardous biological effects of microwave radiation. Similar research conducted in the USSR studied its use in non-lethal weaponry.

Some conspiracy theoristss have supposed that this effect is used for mind control. They claim patent US3951134 (Malech; April 20, 1976) is for this purpose.

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