The Hum: 10 Places Where People Hear Sounds That Don’t Exist

The Hum: 10 Places Where People Hear Sounds That Don’t Exist

It starts as a low thrumming noise, like a distant engine or a generator running in the basement. You turn off the TV, check the fridge, and look out the window. Nothing. You put in earplugs, but the sound gets louder. It is inside your head.

This is “The Hum.” It is a global phenomenon reported from Canada to New Zealand. For the “Hearers,” it is a form of torture that causes insomnia and anxiety. For scientists, it is a baffling mystery. Here are 10 places where The Hum has turned life into a nightmare.

1. Taos, New Mexico (The Taos Hum)

The most famous case in the world. Since the early 1990s, residents of this artistic desert town have reported a low-frequency drone. In 1993, Congress actually requested a scientific investigation. Researchers placed microphones everywhere but detected… nothing. Yet, hearers insist the sound is real. Some theories blame secret military tests, while others suggest unique acoustics of the desert floor.

Shock Fact: The Hum in Taos is so persistent that some residents have moved away solely to escape the noise.

2. Bristol, England

In the late 1970s, the “Bristol Hum” made headlines when hundreds of people complained of a constant droning noise. The BBC reported that it caused severe distress, headaches, and nosebleeds. Eventually, some of the noise was traced to industrial fans in nearby factories, but even after they were silenced, many people continued to hear the sound.

3. Windsor, Ontario (The Windsor Hum)

Residents of Windsor, Canada, have been plagued by a rumbling noise that rattles windows and shakes walls. Unlike Taos, this Hum is measurable. Investigations pointed across the river to Zug Island, a heavily industrial steel mill zone in Michigan, USA. However, US authorities refused to let Canadian scientists onto the island to pinpoint the source, leaving the mystery officially “unsolved.”

4. Kokomo, Indiana

In 1999, the city of Kokomo spent $100,000 investigating a hum that was making residents ill. They actually found culprits: massive cooling fans at a Daimler Chrysler plant and an air intake at a hay factory. Once these were fixed, the Hum stopped for many—but not all. Some locals claim the “real” source is still active underground.

5. Largs, Scotland

This coastal town has suffered from “The Hum” for decades. Given its location by the sea, a leading theory is biological: the Toadfish. The male Toadfish “hums” to attract mates, and the sound can reverberate through ship hulls and even into coastal homes. It is one of the few instances where nature might be the villain.

6. Auckland, New Zealand

In 2006, the residents of Auckland’s North Shore began hearing a throbbing noise. Theories ran wild, from cruise ships to CIA experiments. Eventually, scientists from Live Science suggested it could be related to weather patterns or tidal movements affecting the continental shelf, creating a geological vibration.

7. Bondi, Sydney (The Bondi Hum)

Even the famous beach is not safe. Residents in the affluent suburb of Bondi have reported a late-night droning. Since there are no heavy industries nearby, suspicion fell on the ventilation fans of a nearby shopping center or the sewage treatment plant. To this day, no single source has been silenced.

8. Hueytown, Alabama

In 2012, a mysterious noise terrified this town. Unlike a steady hum, this sounded like “a roar from the sky” or metal grinding. It sparked fears of the “Trumpets of the Apocalypse.” Meteorologists later suggested it might be “skyquakes”—sonic booms caused by meteors or atmospheric pressure changes—but the explanation didn’t satisfy the terrified locals.

9. Omagh, Northern Ireland

As recently as late 2023, the Omagh district council launched an investigation into a persistent “night time hum.” It is described as distinct from traffic noise. The investigation is ongoing, proving that The Hum is not a relic of the past; it is a modern and growing phenomenon.

10. Inside Your Head (Tinnitus?)

The most skeptical explanation is that The Hum is simply Tinnitus—a ringing in the ears caused by hearing damage. However, Tinnitus is usually high-pitched (a whistle), whereas The Hum is low-pitched (a rumble). Furthermore, The Hum often stops when people leave a specific geographic location, which wouldn’t happen if the sound were merely inside their ears.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can everyone hear The Hum?

No. Studies suggest only about 2% to 10% of the population can hear it. It is most commonly heard by people aged 55 to 70.

Is The Hum dangerous to your health?

Physically, the sound waves are not harmful, but the psychological effects—sleep deprivation, anxiety, and stress—can be severe and damaging over time.

How do I block out The Hum?

Because it is a low-frequency sound, standard earplugs often don’t work (they block high pitches). White noise machines or fans are usually the best way to mask the drone.