The measurement of a sonochemical effect (SE) requires the definition of th
e reference conditions for the so-called "silent reaction". It is shown tha
t it is impossible to define SE correctly in the case of heterogeneous reac
tions, due to the dramatic effect of the agitation on reaction rates, This
is true not only from the quantitative point of view (effect of ultrasound
on reaction rates) but also from the qualitative perspective (change of rea
ction pathway when ultrasound is applied). The first, and most dramatic, ex
ample of chemical switching described in the literature, and claimed to be
due to ultrasound, is proven also to be observable under efficient agitatio
n conditions.