Luke Taylor: Why all the fuss about cicadas?

May 26—Just how hard on the ears are cicadas?

We've all been hearing for months about the 17- and 13-year cicada broods that are emerging this summer.

East Central Illinois is right in the overlap of the two broods, but why does it matter? Sure, they're loud and annoying, but that's it, right?

Mostly, yes, but they can cause damage to small shrubs and trees as they lay eggs in the trunks, said Assistant Professor Kacie Athey and horticulture educator Ken Johnson, who both work for the UI Extension. They recommend using netting to keep the bugs off of trunks of newly planted trees and shrubs, and warn that insecticides will also hurt other creatures that eat cicadas.

University of Illinois speech and hearing science Professor Fatima Husain says the sound of cicadas can reduce tinnitus symptoms, which around 15 percent of the general population experience. "Cicadas can be quite loud, with the loudness being like a jet engine in some cases," Husain said, but the noise isn't dangerous if you keep your distance.

The noise can serve as a "mask" for the sounds people with tinnitus perceive in the absence of external sources.

However, Husain said the noise does have a chance of exacerbating tinnitus over time or being painful to people with hyperacusis, which is a sensitivity to everyday sounds.

If you can't stay inside to avoid the sound of cicadas, Husain suggests timing outdoor activities in cooler parts of the day.

"The males produce the sounds as the sun warms up during the day. So, for one, you are quite safe after dusk, as the din subsides," she said. "The hotter the day, the louder the sounds will be, which is another reason to seek air-conditioned comfort. "

For the most part, cicadas are little more than a nuisance — or a snack, to some people, who claim they have a nutty flavor. I don't plan to find out for myself.