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The Hum is a persistent, low-frequency noise that a small share of people can hear—often described as a distant diesel engine or droning transformer that gets worse at night and indoors. Reports have come from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for decades. No single cause explains every location.
Jump to: What Is the Hum? · How It Sounds & Feels · Who Hears It? · Where It’s Reported · Possible Causes · How to Investigate · Coping Tips · FAQs · Sources · Latest Reports · Get Involved
Key facts (TL;DR)
- The Hum = real reports + (in some hotspots) real low-frequency measurements; no universal source.
- Typical features: low drone (30–80 Hz), louder at night/indoors, strongest in quiet suburbs, hard to record on phones.
- Who hears it: only a small % of people in “Hum zones” (often middle-aged/older)—neighbors may hear nothing.
- Suspects: industrial LFN, building/room resonance, micro-seismic coupling, power infrastructure, psychoacoustics, EM hypotheses.
- What to do: time it, map it, test power-off indoors, record with a good mic, check our case guides, and send us a report.
❓ What Is “The Hum”?
A persistent low-frequency droning heard by some—but not all—people in specific areas. Many report it’s stronger at night, indoors, and in certain rooms or vehicles. It may fade for months, then return without warning.
🔊 How It Sounds & Feels
- Like a distant idling engine, transformer buzz, or slow helicopter heard through walls.
- More noticeable in quiet rooms, at night, and when trying to sleep.
- Some perceive vibration/pressure (chest, ears, skull) as much as sound.
- Phone mics often miss it; better captured with dedicated low-frequency recorders.
👂 Who Can Hear It?
- Only a small percentage in affected zones—often estimated around ~2%.
- Reported more by adults 55–70+, but younger hearers exist.
- Two people in the same house may disagree: one tormented, the other hears nothing.
🗺️ Where It’s Reported (Selected Cases)
- Taos, New Mexico (USA) — investigated in the 1990s; no single source found.
- Bristol & Leeds (UK) — hundreds of reports since the 1970s.
- Windsor, Ontario (Canada) — industrial links suggested; intermittent.
- Kokomo, Indiana (USA) — industrial fans implicated; some reports persisted.
- Auckland & Wellington (New Zealand) — recurring complaints across suburbs.
🧠 Possible Causes (None Explain All)
- Industrial low-frequency noise (LFN): compressors, fans, pumps, pipelines, transformers; sometimes intermittent or night-shift only.
- Building & room resonance: structures can amplify bass, turning faint outdoor energy into an indoor drone.
- Micro-seismic & environmental coupling: distant surf, wind farms, or micro-tremor transferring energy into cavities/rooms.
- Power & infrastructure: substations, HV lines, ground loops, or poorly isolated equipment.
- Psychoacoustics/tinnitus: in some cases an internal origin; however, external LFN has been recorded at documented hotspots.
- EM hypotheses: controversial ideas about electromagnetic exposure interacting with biology—unproven but frequently discussed.
Bottom line: multiple mechanisms likely; “The Hum” is a syndrome, not one sound.
🕵️ How We Investigate a Suspected Hum
- Time & pattern: log hh:mm:ss, day of week, weather, and room/position. Is it night-only?
- Power test: safely flip mains off (if possible) for 2–3 minutes—does it vanish? Try circuits/appliances one by one.
- Move & map: different rooms, car, outside, other addresses. Note where it’s strongest/weakest.
- Record: use a recorder with good low-end response (phones often roll off < 50–80 Hz).
- Check context: industrial hours, HVAC cycles, nearby substations, construction, shipping/rail corridors.
- Report it: share time/location/recordings via our contact form.
🧰 Coping Tips (Practical, Not Perfect)
- Sound masking: broadband/“brown noise,” fan or air purifier, low-volume music.
- Isolation: seal gaps, add soft furnishings, decouple bed from walls/floor, experiment with room changes.
- HVAC & appliances: locate and damp home sources; service/noise-isolate vibrating units.
- Health check: if constant, rule out tinnitus or medical causes with a clinician.
The Hum — FAQs
- What is “The Hum” in simple terms?
- A persistent, low-frequency drone some people hear in specific areas—stronger at night/indoors—with no single proven source.
- Why can only some people hear it?
- Individual sensitivity, age, room/house resonance, and local acoustics can all make the same environment sound different to different people.
- Is it dangerous?
- It’s mostly a quality-of-life issue (sleep, stress, headaches). If you notice ear pain or continuous ringing, consult a clinician to rule out tinnitus or other conditions.
- Can it be recorded?
- Yes—use equipment with good bass response and note time/location. Phones may miss sub-80 Hz content.
- Is The Hum the same as mystery booms?
- No. The Hum is a steady or slowly varying drone; mystery booms are sudden, explosive sounds.
Sources & Further Reading
Latest Hum Reports
- 🧭 All Hum articles (category)
- 🧭 Related hubs: Earthquake Booms & Seneca Guns · Mistpouffers (Fog Guns) · Meteor Booms & Skyquakes
Get Involved
- 📩 Report a Hum (time, location, indoors/outdoors, recordings).
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