A sonic device designed to drive off troublesome youths has been installed in one Queens building known for vandalism and drug use. It's called The Mosquito, and is produced by a British company, where more than 3,500 units of the equipment are in use. As humans age, they naturally lose some of their hearing, beginning at the higher end of the audible spectrum detectable to man.
The concept is actually turning an idea used by teens to outsmart their teachers on its ear. Ringtones at the same high frequency that were supposed to be inaudible to adults were being used by students to evade attention when their cell phones rang. Now that disparity is being used to annoy younger people away from places where they normally congregate socially, like building lobbies and vestibules.
The New York Post tested out a version of the device in Washington Square Park last week and it seemed to have the intended effect. A few teens described the 85 decibel sound as being unbearable, while older park goers worried that they might be going deaf because they couldn't hear a thing.
Recently, critics of the device in Britain questioned its legality and are disturbed by its proliferation. The Post quoted a doctor who said that extended exposure to any frequency at 85 decibels could cause hearing damage. On the other hand, some New Yorkers may be interested in a personal lapel-pin version of the device if it's ever created.
