Electrostatic waves in the frequency range from the ion plasma frequency to the electron plasma frequency, which are generally called ion-acoustic-like waves commonly occur at interplanetary shocks. During our survey of Ulysses URAP wave data in the vicinity of about 150 interplanetary shocks, we have discovered several unusual features concerning these waves. These include: (1) quasi-perpendicular and quasi-parallel interplanetary shocks produce no systematic difference in the excitation of upstream ion-acoustic-like waves, (2) these ion-acoustic-like waves occur even when the electron to ion temperature ratio is much less than unity. Assuming that the energetic ions accelerated at the shock are responsible for these waves, we examine the growth and damping of electron-acoustic, ion-acoustic and lower-hybrid waves in the typical solar wind conditions near interplanetary shocks. The ion-acoustic and electron acoustic waves are both strongly damped for T_i/T_e close to unity. The lower hybrid wave has frequency comparable to the ion-acoustic waves and is damped mainly by electron Landau damping. This makes the lower hybrid modes the more likely candidates for the observed waves. We will also present the possible role of these waves in the acceleration of electrons needed for type II burst excitation.