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The Hum
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The Hum
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The Hum is a persistent and invasive low-frequency humming, rumbling, or droning noise audible to many, but not all, people in an area. Hums have been reported in many countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[1][2] They are sometimes named according to the locality where the problem has been particularly publicized, such as the "Taos Hum" in New Mexico and the "Windsor Hum" in Ontario.

The Hum does not appear to be a single phenomenon. Different causes have been attributed, including local mechanical sources, often from industrial plants, as well as manifestations of tinnitus or other biological auditory effects.

Description

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A 1973 report cites a university study of fifty cases of people complaining about a "low throbbing background noise" that others were unable to hear. The sound, always peaking between 30 and 40 Hz (hertz), was found to only be heard during cool weather with a light breeze, and often early in the morning. These noises were often confined to a 10-kilometre (6 mi) wide area.[3]

Taos Hum

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A study into the Taos Hum in the early 1990s in Taos, New Mexico indicated that at least two percent could hear it, each hearer at a different frequency between 32 and 80 Hz, modulated from 0.5 to 2 Hz.[4] Similar results have been found in an earlier British study.[5] It seems possible for hearers to move away from it, with one hearer of the Taos Hum reporting its range was 30 miles (48 km).[6] There are approximately equal percentages of male and female hearers.[4][7] Age does appear to be a factor, with middle-aged people more likely to hear it.[8]

Auckland Hum

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In 2006, Tom Moir, then of Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand, made several recordings that appeared to be the Auckland Hum.[9][10] His previous research using simulated sounds had indicated that the hum was around 56 hertz.[11]

Windsor Hum

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In late 2011, residents of Windsor, Ontario, began reporting a low droning vibration, sometimes loud enough to be irritating (one evening in 2012 saw 22,000 reports to officials). It was estimated that the sound was emanating from Zug Island, a heavily industrialized section of River Rouge on the north bank of the Detroit River (which separates Windsor and Detroit).[12] Canadian officials requested US assistance in determining the source, but local authorities were stymied by official refusals to allow access to the island.[13] A steel mill operated by U.S. Steel was the possible cause, but officials stated that no new equipment had been installed or activated around the time that the noise became noticeable. When the blast furnaces were deactivated in April 2020, the noise went away as well.[13][14]

Other

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In 2021, hums were reported in Frankfurt and Darmstadt, in Germany.[15] A year later, multiple sources for the hum were identified in Darmstadt: two faulty air conditioner units, a faulty heat pump, and three structural noise protection measures on energy generation plants.[16]

In 2022, hums were reported in St. Louis County, Missouri and surrounding areas.[17]

In 2023, a hum was reported in Omagh in Northern Ireland.[18]

Possible explanations

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High-pressure gas pipelines

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Industrial-facilities mechanical engineer Steve Kohlhase spent $30,000 on legal fees and equipment related to his independent investigation of the low-frequency hum.[19] Garret Harkawiks' 2019 documentary film Doom Vibrations focused on Kohlhase's ten year journey to figure out what was causing the noise, and his theory behind it.[20] In all reported cases Kohlhase studied, he said that the locations were along high-pressure gas pipelines, or at least in close proximity to them.[19]

Background sounds

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In 2009, the head of audiology at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, David Baguley, said he believed people's problems with the hum were based on the physical world about one-third of the time, and stemmed from people focusing too keenly on innocuous background sounds the other two-thirds of the time.[1] Baguley said for example the noise can be attributed to environmental causes, such as industrial machinery at a nearby factory or an industrial fan.[1][19] But he also found that the majority of cases remain unexplained. Baguley said, "I think most people view the hum as a fringe belief because it's so subjective — people say they hear something that most people can't hear. But when you look at the vast number of people who say they hear it, it's obvious that there's something going on."[19] Baguley also theorizes that peoples' hearing has become overly sensitive.[1]

Mechanical devices

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Although some form of mechanical source is an obvious candidate, given the common description of the hum as sounding like a diesel engine, the majority of reported hums have not been traced to a specific mechanical source.[1]

In the case of Kokomo, Indiana, a city with heavy industry, the origin of the hum was thought to have been traced to two sources. The first was a 36 Hz tone from a cooling tower at the local DaimlerChrysler casting plant and the second was a 10 Hz tone from an air compressor intake at the Haynes International plant.[21] After those devices were corrected, however, reports of the hum persisted.[22]

Three hums have been linked to mechanical sources. The West Seattle Hum was traced to a vacuum pump used by CalPortland to offload cargo from ships. After CalPortland replaced the silencers on the machine, reports of the hum ceased.[23] Likewise, the Wellington Hum is thought to have been due to the diesel generator on a visiting ship.[24][25] A 35 Hz hum in Windsor, Ontario, is thought to have originated from a steelworks on the industrial zone of Zug Island near Detroit,[26] with reports of the noise ceasing after the U.S. Steel plant there ceased operations in April 2020.[14]

One hum in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was suspected of originating at a Santee Cooper substation almost two miles away from the home of a couple who first reported it. The substation is home to the state's largest transformer. One local couple sued the power company for the disruption the hum was causing them.[27] The hum was louder inside their house than out, in part, they believed, because their house vibrated in resonance to the 60 Hz hum. In the lawsuit they claimed that the volume of the hum was measured at up to 64.1 dB in the couple's home.[28]

Some researchers speculate that the very low frequency radio waves or extremely low frequency radio waves of the military TACAMO system, used by aircraft to communicate with submarines, might be the source for the hum. David Deming observes that the difficulty of locating a source of the hum could be attributed to its broadcast from moving aircraft in this fashion, although he notes that there have never been any reports of the Hum around the U.S. Navy's stationary broadcast stations at Cutler, Maine, and Jim Creek, Washington.[29]

Deming considers it significant that the Hum "avoids publicity", often subsiding in response to an increase in local press coverage, and speculates that this may be a sign that the source is anthropogenic in nature.[29]

Tinnitus

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A suggested diagnosis of tinnitus, a self-reported disturbance of the auditory system, is used by some physicians in response to complaints about the Hum.[30] Tinnitus is generated internally by the auditory and nervous systems, with no external stimulus.[31]

While the Hum is hypothesized by some to be a form of low frequency tinnitus[7] such as the venous hum, some report it not to be internal, being worse inside their homes than outside; however, others insist that it is equally bad indoors and outdoors. Some people notice the Hum only at home, while others hear it everywhere they go. Some sufferers report that it is made worse by soundproofing (e.g., double glazing), which serves only to decrease other environmental noise, thus making the Hum more apparent.[32]

Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions

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Human ears generate their own noises, called spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAE). Various studies have shown that 38 to 60 percent of adults with normal hearing have them, although the majority are unaware of these sounds.[33] The people who do hear these sounds typically hear a faint hissing (cicada-like sound), buzzing or ringing, especially if they are otherwise in complete silence.[34] Hence, researchers who looked at the Taos Hum considered otoacoustic emissions as a possibility.[35]

Jet stream

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Philip Dickinson suggested at an Institute of Biology conference in 1973 that the 30- to 40-Hz hum could be a result of the jet stream shearing against slower-moving air and possibly being amplified by power line posts, some of which were shown to vibrate, or by rooms which had a corresponding resonant frequency.[3] Geoff Leventhall of the Chelsea College Acoustics Group dismissed this suggestion as "absolute nonsense".[3]

Animals

[edit]
The midshipman fish was considered as a possible cause of the West Seattle Hum.

One of the many possible causes of the West Seattle Hum considered was that it was related to the midshipman fish, also known as the toadfish.[36] A previous hum in Sausalito, California, also on the West Coast of the United States, was determined to be the mating call of the male midshipman.[37] However, in that case the hum was resonating through houseboat hulls and affecting the people living on those boats. In the West Seattle case, the University of Washington researcher determined that it would be impossible for any resonating hum, transmitted via tanker or boat hulls, to be transmitted very far inland, certainly not far enough to account for the reports.[38]

The Scottish Association for Marine Science hypothesised that the nocturnal humming sound heard in Hythe, Hampshire, could be produced by a similar "sonic" fish.[39] The council believed this to be unlikely, since such fish are not commonly found in inshore waters of the UK.[40] As of February 2014, although the source had still not been located, the Hythe hum had been recorded.[41][citation needed]

Treatment

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At an acoustics laboratory at the University of Salford, David Baguley's research focused on using psychology and relaxation techniques to minimise distress due to the hum, which can lead to a quieting or even removal of the noise.[1]

Geoff Leventhall, a noise and vibration expert, has suggested cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be effective in helping those affected:[42] "It's a question of whether you tense up to the noise or are relaxed about it. The CBT was shown to work, by helping people to take a different attitude to it."[43]

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The Taos Hum has been featured on the TV show Unsolved Mysteries,[44] and in LiveScience's "Top Ten Unexplained Phenomena", where it took tenth place.[45] BBC Radio 4 featured an investigation of the Hum phenomena in their Punt PI fact-based comedy programme.[46][47] In October 2022, the Norwegian state broadcaster NRK covered the Hum in its Oppdatert podcast.[48]

In a 1998 episode of The X-Files titled "Drive", Agent Mulder speculates that extremely low frequency (ELF) radio waves "may be behind the so-called Taos Hum".[49][50]

In a 2018 episode of the police procedural series Criminal Minds, characters are made to commit violent acts as a result of mania caused by the Hum. The story editors described the episode as having "an X-Files feel".[51]

Jordan Tannahill's 2021 novel The Listeners tells the story of a group of people tormented by a continuous humming noise that seemingly only they can hear. It was adapted into a BBC series of the same name by the BBC in 2024.

In a 2022 episode of the animated series American Dad! titled "Echoes", Avery Bullock (voiced by Patrick Stewart) muses about a mysterious background hum that several characters report hearing through the episode.[52]

The Windsor Hum is the subject of the song "The Hum" by Canadian musician Dan Griffin,[53] and the short documentary film Zug Island by Nicolas Lachapelle.[54]

The Windsor Hum is also the subject of a song by Detroit band Protomartyr and appears on their 2017 album Relatives in Descent.

See also

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References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Hum

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The Hum is a persistent, low-frequency acoustic reported by an estimated 2–4% of the global population, typically described as a distant rumbling or akin to an idling or . It is often perceived indoors, louder at night or in quiet settings, and remains inaudible to most people nearby, leading to significant personal distress for hearers including sleep disruption, headaches, nausea, and anxiety. First prominently documented in the 1970s in , , where it was termed the "Bristol Hum," the phenomenon gained wider attention through cases like the Taos Hum in , reported since the early . In Taos, a 1993 investigation by researchers from the , , , and Phillips Air Force Laboratory surveyed approximately 8,000 residents and identified 161 affected individuals (about 2%), but failed to pinpoint an acoustic source despite monitoring sound, seismic activity, and electromagnetic fields. Similar reports have emerged worldwide, including in (2003), Windsor, Canada (2011–2013), and Holmfield, (since 2019), with affected areas spanning urban industrial zones and rural locations. Characteristics of the Hum vary slightly by case but generally involve frequencies between 25 Hz and 80 Hz, below the typical range of speech, making it difficult to record or localize with standard . In the Kokomo study, tones at 10 Hz and 36 Hz were traced to industrial air compressors and cooling towers, leading to partial through modifications, though many residents continued to report symptoms. The Windsor investigation using arrays detected signals around 25–35 Hz but could not geolocate a single source, ruling out nearby industrial sites like . Electromagnetic fields, measured at elevated levels in Taos and 3–50 milligauss in Kokomo, have been proposed as a potential trigger via mechanisms like the , though this remains unproven. Proposed explanations include external environmental sources such as industrial machinery, power lines, ocean waves interacting with the seafloor, or even biological factors like midshipman fish calls, alongside internal origins like low-frequency or spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in the . No unified cause has been established, and ongoing research, including Glen MacPherson's World Hum Database Project—which has collected thousands of global reports since 2012—and a 2025 study suggesting many cases may be subjective tinnitus-like phenomena with normal hearing thresholds, emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches combining acoustics, , and to differentiate the Hum from common or psychological factors.

Overview

Definition and Characteristics

The Hum is a persistent low-frequency noise phenomenon characterized by a steady humming, rumbling, or droning sound, typically in the range of 25 to 80 Hz. This auditory experience is often described by hearers as resembling the idling of a , a distant , or a buzzing swarm, and it is most noticeable indoors, particularly at night when ambient levels are low. The sound's intensity is generally near the threshold of human hearing, around 40 dB at 50 Hz, making it subtle yet intrusive in quiet settings. Sensory aspects of the Hum include not only the auditory component but also accompanying sensations of vibration or throbbing, which can exacerbate discomfort in enclosed spaces. It tends to be more perceptible in rural or suburban environments where is minimal, and its presence often intensifies when individuals are relaxed or lying down. Only a small fraction of the —estimated at 2 to 4%—reports hearing the Hum, with hearers typically describing it as an external sound that follows them to different locations but is inaudible to others nearby. Unlike , which is an internal generated within the ear or brain, the Hum is perceived as an external acoustic signal that interacts with environmental sounds, such as pausing or modulating when louder noises occur, and can be influenced by head movements like . Hearers often demonstrate normal audiometric results, further distinguishing it from typical cases.

Prevalence and Demographics

The Hum is estimated to affect 2-4% of the global population, though this figure is based on self-reported data and may vary by region, with higher incidences noted in certain quiet environments where the sound is more perceptible. Local surveys, such as one involving 8,000 residents, found that approximately 2% reported perceiving the hum. Demographically, affected individuals span a range of ages, with an average around 45-50 years old, and roughly equal numbers of men and women. Many hearers have normal hearing thresholds, though some exhibit heightened sensitivity to low frequencies, which aligns with the phenomenon's persistent, low-frequency droning quality that selectively impacts certain individuals. Reports of the Hum occur worldwide, with notable clusters in and , including areas like ; , ; and , but without a strict tie to high —complaints arise across rural, suburban, coastal, and even urban settings, often in quieter locales where ambient noise is low. Since the , awareness and reporting have surged due to online forums and databases, fostering communities where individuals share experiences and engage in , though this has also amplified the phenomenon's visibility without resolving its origins; reporting continues with recent cases as of 2024.

Notable Instances

Prominent North American Cases

The Taos Hum, first reported by residents of , in the early 1990s, became one of the most publicized instances of the phenomenon in . Complaints described a persistent low-frequency rumble, audible indoors and more noticeable at night, which disrupted sleep and daily life for those affected. In 1993, the issue gained national attention when local residents petitioned the congressional delegation, prompting U.S. to request an official investigation. An eight-member team of acousticians, engineers, and physicists from the and conducted surveys using geophones, magnetometers, and audio equipment, but failed to identify any external acoustic source despite extensive testing across the town. The study estimated that approximately 2% of Taos residents could hear the sound, with hearers describing slightly varying pitches but a consistent intrusive quality. No definitive cause was found, leaving the Taos Hum unresolved and contributing to ongoing debates about perceptual versus environmental origins. In , , the Windsor Hum emerged around late 2011, affecting thousands of residents with a throbbing low-frequency that some felt as much as heard, often described as a distant idling engine. The phenomenon prompted cross-border concern due to Windsor's proximity to , leading to collaborative investigations. In January 2013, the Canadian government allocated funds for a joint study by the and Western University, involving seismic and acoustic surveys with arrays and monitors deployed across Windsor and into the U.S. These efforts detected low-frequency signals propagating from the U.S. side of the , pinpointing —a manmade industrial site hosting a facility—as the likely origin, with signals predominantly at 30 Hz and 35 Hz. Although temporary operational adjustments at the steel plant were tested in subsequent years, the hum persisted until 2020, when the facility idled operations amid the , resulting in the noise's cessation and confirming the industrial source; it has not been widely reported since. The , reported starting in 1999 in , involved complaints of a steady low rumble emanating from the city's industrial core, impacting a small but vocal subset of residents with symptoms like headaches and . By the early , local authorities commissioned an acoustical investigation, hiring consultants to map noise levels and trace sources using directional microphones and spectrum analyzers. The 2003 report identified two primary contributors: large industrial fans in cooling towers at the DaimlerChrysler casting plant producing tones around 36 Hz, and a at a nearby DaimlerChrysler transmission plant emitting 10 Hz signals. Modifications, including fan blade adjustments and compressor enclosures, were implemented that year, significantly reducing the audible hum for most affected individuals, though some residual complaints lingered. This case marked one of the few North American instances where industrial sources were directly mitigated, providing a model for targeted acoustic interventions.

International Cases and Recent Reports

One of the earliest documented international cases of the Hum occurred in , , beginning in the 1970s when hundreds of residents reported a persistent low-frequency audible primarily at night. Affected individuals described it as a droning rumble that disrupted sleep and daily life, leading to the formation of local support groups among those impacted. Investigations at the time implicated possible sources such as industrial fans in nearby , but no definitive cause was identified, and the phenomenon reportedly faded for many, though sporadic complaints persist. In New Zealand, the Auckland Hum emerged in the early 2000s, particularly affecting residents in the North Shore and surrounding areas with a continuous low hum that some linked to industrial or shipping activities in the harbor. Complaints peaked around 2006, with affected people reporting insomnia and frustration, prompting scientific interest and audio recordings by locals, yet official probes remained inconclusive regarding the exact origin. European reports of the Hum, including those in the UK, have frequently been associated with coastal regions, potentially due to environmental factors like maritime traffic or tidal influences. Recent international cases underscore the ongoing global nature of the phenomenon. In April 2025, residents of the , —particularly on the Isle of Lewis—began reporting a mysterious low-frequency hum described as a constant rumble that disrupts sleep and causes headaches for those who hear it. Local community councils and scientists initiated investigations, including audio recordings, with some islanders attributing it to military submarine-tracking sonar amid heightened regional tensions. These international reports parallel some North American instances, such as cross-border vibrations, in demonstrating the Hum's tendency to cluster in urban or coastal settings without clear resolution.

Scientific Investigations

Historical Research Efforts

Early investigations into The Hum began in the 1970s in the , particularly in , where hundreds of residents reported a persistent low-frequency audible primarily at night. Local authorities commissioned acoustic experts to examine the complaints using sound level meters and audiometric testing to assess hearing thresholds and levels, but no external source was identified, leading some to initially dismiss the phenomenon as imagination or subjective perception. In 1993, the most prominent early U.S. study focused on the Taos Hum in , prompted by congressional funding allocated through the at the request of local representatives. A team led by acoustics professor Joe Mullins conducted a week-long investigation involving acoustic mapping with sensitive microphones to monitor ambient sounds across the area. Despite these efforts, no external acoustic source was detected, which shifted attention toward psychological explanations such as heightened sensitivity to internal auditory signals. During the early 2000s, similar governmental and industrial efforts addressed reports in , where residents linked the Hum to health issues. In 2003, the city commissioned an firm to perform detailed audits of local industrial sites, identifying low-frequency emissions from cooling tower fans at a DaimlerChrysler casting plant and an at a nearby transmission facility as partial sources, which were subsequently modified to reduce the noise. This case highlighted increasing collaboration between local governments and experts in targeting potential environmental contributors. Across these historical efforts, common methodologies included passive monitoring with arrayed to record long-term ambient sound profiles, structured interviews with hearers to document perceptual characteristics and locations, and systematic elimination of nearby sources such as machinery or to isolate the . These approaches, though limited by the technology of the era, established foundational protocols for Hum research by emphasizing empirical over anecdotal reports.

Contemporary Studies and Findings

In the 2011–2013 Windsor Hum study, a binational collaboration between researchers at the and the employed advanced acoustic monitoring techniques, including portable arrays and algorithms for noise source identification, to characterize the phenomenon across . These methods revealed a low-frequency rumble with dominant components at 30–35 Hz, originating from industrial operations on in nearby , , though exact mechanisms like ventilation or activity remained under investigation. The study's acoustic modeling built on earlier by integrating to triangulate propagation directions and intensities, providing quantitative evidence of an external acoustic source. The hum ceased in 2020 when the U.S. Steel facility on idled operations during the , supporting the identification of the industrial source. Key technological advancements since 2010 have enhanced Hum investigations through (DSP) techniques, such as adaptive filtering and spectral analysis, which allow for precise isolation of low-frequency components in noisy environments. For instance, DSP-enabled , as applied in the Windsor case, has become standard for source localization in subsequent studies, enabling real-time mapping of infrasonic signals below 20 Hz. Complementing these, initiatives have contributed to broader in Hum research. These efforts have facilitated for analysis, particularly in understudied regions. In 2025, preliminary investigations into reports of a persistent low-frequency hum in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland—dubbed the "Hebridean Hum"—involved community-deployed recording devices and basic infrasound monitoring, revealing no identifiable local sources and suggesting possible long-distance propagation from oceanic or distant industrial activity. Residents on the Isle of Lewis described the sound as a droning pulse audible day and night since early 2025, prompting calls for advanced detector arrays to confirm propagation paths. These efforts underscore ongoing challenges in resolving Hum cases, with unresolved questions about perceptual versus objective measurements persisting despite methodological progress.

Proposed Explanations

External Acoustic and Environmental Causes

One proposed external cause of the Hum involves industrial sources, particularly mechanical equipment and infrastructure that generate low-frequency noise. In the case of the Kokomo Hum in , a acoustical investigation identified two primary sources: air compressors at an industrial facility producing a 10 Hz tone detectable over a 1 km radius, and a at a separate plant emitting a 36 Hz tone, both of which were mitigated by silencing measures that reduced the tones below background levels by 2004. Similarly, high-pressure gas pipelines have been linked to humming sounds through pressure fluctuations and vibrations transmitted along the infrastructure, with audible hum extending several kilometers on either side of the lines, as observed in field measurements from the late . The Windsor Hum in , , provides further evidence of industrial origins, with seismic monitoring from 2011 to 2014 detecting vibrations around 30–35 Hz originating from the direction of Detroit's industrial area. The phenomenon ceased almost entirely in April 2020 when a on shut down due to the , confirming the facility as the source and resolving 99% of complaints. Natural environmental factors also contribute to external acoustic phenomena resembling the Hum. A 2015 model developed by French researchers explains how ocean waves interacting with continental slopes generate primary microseisms with periods of 13-300 seconds (0.003-0.077 Hz), producing Earth's seismic "hum" through infragravity waves that excite sub-audible ground vibrations, potentially contributing to low-frequency in coastal areas, though not directly audible as the typical Hum. These signals have been detected globally by infrasound networks, which record continuous ocean-originated pressure waves propagating through the atmosphere and . Additionally, in the has been suggested as a potential source of , with shearing against slower air masses potentially generating very low-frequency atmospheric waves, though direct evidence linking this to the Hum remains limited. Animal activity represents another external acoustic cause, particularly in coastal regions. Male fish () produce a sustained hum at approximately 100 Hz via rapid contractions of drumming muscles attached to their , reaching intensities that propagate through water and onto land during mating season. In , during the early , this collective humming from thousands of males disrupted residents' sleep and daily life on houseboats, initially misattributed to mechanical or military sources until identified as fish vocalizations.

Internal Physiological and Perceptual Causes

One prominent internal explanation for the Hum involves variants of low-frequency , where individuals perceive a persistent humming sound originating from disruptions in the , particularly in those with underlying . This form of mimics an external low-frequency noise, often described as a rumble around 30-80 Hz, and is proposed to arise from cochlear disturbances that generate phantom sounds without measurable external stimuli. A 2022 study modeling a resonant circuit between the vestibule and base suggests this mechanism could produce extremely low-frequency consistent with Hum reports, emphasizing neural synchronization in the as a key factor. Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) represent another physiological cause, in which microscopic movements of outer hair cells in the generate faint, self-sustained sounds that can become audible in quiet environments. These emissions can occur at low frequencies around 30-50 Hz in some cases, potentially perceived as the Hum by affected individuals, with a of audible SOAEs estimated at around 2% of the . Research indicates that SOAEs and the Hum may share underlying mechanisms, such as amplified oscillations, leading to the perception of internal noise as external. Audiological recordings have confirmed such emissions in some patients, supporting their role in low-frequency auditory perceptions. Additional physiological factors include venous hum, a form of objective tinnitus caused by turbulent blood flow in the jugular vein or carotid artery, producing a continuous low-pitched hum audible to both the individual and examiners via stethoscope. Neural misfiring in auditory pathways, often following noise exposure or age-related degeneration, can also contribute by creating hyperactivity in central auditory neurons, resulting in perceived low-frequency sounds without peripheral input. These internal origins are distinguished from external sources through audiological tests, which frequently reveal no correlated environmental noise in Hum cases. Perceptual factors, such as or heightened selective attention, may amplify subtle internal signals into the dominant Hum perception, where ordinary low-level body noises become intolerable. involves an exaggerated loudness response in the , often co-occurring with and exacerbating low-frequency sensitivities. A 2016 questionnaire-based study of Hum hearers found that perceptual amplification, combined with quiet environments, intensified internal sensations for the majority, with no external acoustic correlation detected in audiological assessments. MRI imaging in related cases has occasionally identified ear structure anomalies, such as cochlear malformations, further supporting internal physiological bases. As of 2025, no new major explanations for the Hum have emerged, with ongoing continuing to explore multidisciplinary approaches without a unified cause.

Impacts and Management

Effects on Affected Individuals

Affected individuals who perceive the Hum often experience a range of physical symptoms stemming from its persistent low-frequency nature. Common complaints include chronic disruption, particularly at night when ambient noise decreases, leading to and exhaustion. Headaches, , and are frequently reported, attributed to the unrelenting exposure and associated that induce . The psychological toll is substantial, with many sufferers developing anxiety and depression due to the intrusive sound's inescapability. Social isolation arises as individuals withdraw from normal activities to avoid exacerbating the perception, and in severe cases, the distress has been linked to and completed s, including at least three in the UK and one attempted in the . Daily life is profoundly disrupted, with the Hum interfering with concentration and work productivity, often forcing affected individuals to reduce professional commitments or change jobs. Relocation attempts are common, as many move residences—sometimes multiple times or even internationally—in hopes of escaping the sound, though success is rare. Long-term exposure to low-frequency noise akin to the Hum has been associated with elevated , such as increased serum levels, contributing to responses. Co-occurring conditions, including heightened risks for disorders, are prevalent among hearers, with the phenomenon disproportionately affecting middle-aged adults.

Treatment and Coping Strategies

Individuals affected by The Hum often seek medical interventions to manage symptoms, particularly when the sound disrupts sleep or exacerbates anxiety. Sound therapy, involving the use of white, pink, or brown noise generators to mask the low-frequency hum, is a primary approach; devices such as fans or specialized audio tracks provide background noise that helps divert attention from the intrusive sound. A 2025 study found that sound enrichment therapy using brown noise reduced complaints in 69% of 124 participants after three months, with significant improvements in tinnitus questionnaire scores measuring distress. focuses on reframing perceptions of the hum and developing coping mechanisms to reduce associated stress; CBT has shown efficacy in reducing distress for similar conditions like . Medications, including antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and anti-anxiety drugs, are sometimes prescribed to address secondary effects like or heightened anxiety rather than the hum itself. Environmental modifications aim to minimize exposure to potential external sources or amplify masking effects. Soundproofing homes with insulation, baffles, or double-glazed windows can attenuate low-frequency vibrations, though effectiveness varies by implementation and cost. to rural areas away from urban industrial has been attempted by some sufferers, with anecdotal reports of partial relief, but the hum's persistence in quiet settings suggests it may not always resolve the issue. Earplugs or low-frequency filters offer portable protection, particularly during , and are recommended after consultation with an audiologist to ensure proper fit and avoid worsening sensitivity. Support networks play a crucial role in long-term management, providing validation and shared strategies. Online communities, such as the World Hum Database and Map Project forum at thehum.info, established in 2012 to document and discuss experiences, connect thousands of hearers worldwide and facilitate for research. Advocacy efforts through these groups push for increased scientific funding and awareness, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary studies on low-frequency noise. While no universal cure exists due to the varied etiologies of the hum, combined approaches, including masking and behavioral interventions, have shown varying degrees of symptom improvement in reviews, underscoring the importance of personalized plans.

Cultural and Social Dimensions

Representations in Media and Literature

The phenomenon of the Hum has been fictionalized in literature as a for isolation and perceptual dissonance, often drawing from real-world reports such as the Taos Hum to explore themes of existential unease. In Jordan Tannahill's 2021 novel The Listeners, a high school teacher in a suburban Canadian town begins hearing a persistent low-frequency hum that disrupts her life, leading her to connect with others who share the experience and forming a secretive group that grapples with societal dismissal of their perceptions. The narrative uses the Hum to symbolize the alienation of marginalized voices in a rationalist society, blending elements with on belief and community. Similarly, Sharon Mikeworth's 2016 horror novel The Hum portrays the sound as an escalating auditory torment that blurs the line between external environmental disturbance and internal madness, heightening tension through the protagonist's futile search for its source. In film and television, the Hum serves as a to evoke mystery and psychological strain, frequently amplifying its role as an emblem of modern disquiet amid technological and environmental pressures. The 2024 BBC drama series The Listeners, adapted from Tannahill's novel and starring , follows a teacher tormented by the sound, which draws her into a cult-like assembly of "listeners" and examines the tension between personal conviction and collective skepticism. The 2015 The Hum, directed by F.C. Rabbath, depicts a man's unraveling due to an incessant low hum emanating from his home, framing it as a catalyst for and self-doubt in an ordinary setting. Documentaries have further documented these portrayals by intertwining real cases with dramatic reenactments; for instance, the 2019 The Atlantic production 'The Hum': The Unexplained Noise 2% of People Can Hear investigates global reports while highlighting the phenomenon's elusive nature, using interviews to underscore its impact on daily life. Visual art installations have replicated the Hum's drone to immerse audiences in its disorienting persistence, often critiquing urban . Max Neuhaus's seminal 1977 sound work , a permanent installation in New York City's pedestrian plaza, emits a subtle, continuous low-frequency hum from grates in the sidewalk, designed to be discovered unexpectedly amid the area's chaos and evoking a sense of hidden auditory layers in the . Reactivated in 2002 after a hiatus, it simulates the phenomenon's intrusive quality without overt signage, encouraging passive listening as a form of subtle disruption. More recently, the 2024 Chambers Hum by artists Emmett Palaima and Nathan Sherman, installed in a station, employs to broadcast amplified low rumbles through vacant retail spaces, transforming commuter transit into an experiential commentary on overlooked urban noises. Across these media, the Hum recurrently embodies post-2000 anxieties about technological alienation and unresolved environmental enigmas, representing the between human and an increasingly mechanized world. As noted in cultural analyses, its depiction often mirrors broader societal mysteries, such as the intrusion of industrial vibrations into personal , symbolizing a loss of control in the face of unseen modern forces. This thematic consistency underscores the phenomenon's versatility as a tool for probing the boundaries of and the inaudible undercurrents of contemporary existence.

Personal Accounts and Advocacy

One prominent effort to document and raise awareness about the Hum has been led by Glen MacPherson, a former lecturer in at the , who launched the World Hum Map and Database Project in 2012 after experiencing the phenomenon himself on Canada's Sunshine Coast. The project collects self-reported data from hearers worldwide via an online submission form and interactive map, amassing over 3,600 vetted locations by , with hundreds of additional reports added monthly thereafter. MacPherson's initiative emphasizes scientific inquiry, providing a disciplined forum for discussion and data analysis to identify patterns and potential sources, while discouraging pseudoscientific claims. Personal testimonies from Hum hearers often describe profound disruptions to daily life, including sleep disturbances, anxiety, and relocation decisions. In , where reports surged in the early 1990s, residents like Catanya and Bob Saltzman shared accounts of the incessant low-frequency drone—likened to a distant —driving them to sell their home and leave the area due to unaddressed frustration and health impacts. These stories, initially sparked by a letter to the local newspaper, prompted others to come forward, highlighting isolation and skepticism from non-hearers as common emotional tolls that altered social and professional routines. Advocacy efforts have included the formation of informal support networks in the 1990s, such as among Taos residents who organized to lobby local authorities for investigations into the sound's source, though formal groups remained limited. More recently, in 2025, residents of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, formed the Hebridean Hum action and support group on social platforms to report a persistent 50 Hz noise affecting sleep and causing headaches, urging community councils and government bodies to probe potential military or industrial origins like submarine-tracking sonar. These initiatives echo broader calls to classify the Hum as an environmental noise concern, aligning with World Health Organization guidelines on low-frequency sounds' health effects, though specific recognition for the Hum remains pending. The impact of such advocacy is evident in online communities, where forums like MacPherson's project database help hearers validate experiences, differentiate the Hum from local noises, and pursue medical evaluations, often leading to diagnoses excluding or other conditions. In 2024, discussions in acoustic health circles linked persistent low-frequency exposures, including Hum-like reports, to wider concerns like cardiovascular stress and disorders, spurring campaigns for stricter regulations in affected regions.

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