Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

BACK in 2024, our newsroom published a report entitled:- "Has the 'Hum' returned? Have you been affected by irritating loud sounds?" This investigation has since reignited significant public interest in an enigmatic and persistent low frequency noise known across the globe simply as the:- "Hum." Often described by hearers as a low, droning vibration or a deep buzz akin to a distant diesel engine, this baffling auditory phenomenon has puzzled scientists and deeply disturbed residents in various communities since the 1970s, with some anecdotal evidence suggesting its presence even earlier. For many who experience it, the sound is not just an annoyance but a source of chronic distress, leading to sleep deprivation, anxiety, and a diminished quality of life, as documented in studies on the effects of low-frequency noise. A comprehensive overview of the global phenomenon and its history can be found in a BBC Future report available at:- https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160612-the-unexplained-mystery-of-the-worldwide-hum

Despite decades of research and countless investigations, the Hum remains a largely mysterious phenomenon. The sound is notable for affecting only a small percentage of the population in any given area, and its source is notoriously difficult to pinpoint. It has been documented in numerous locations worldwide, from Taos, New Mexico, to Windsor, Ontario. The United Kingdom has its own long history with the phenomenon, where one of the earliest and most well-known cases was extensively reported in Bristol during the mid-1970s. During that time, hundreds of residents described being kept awake by a low, insistent rumble, yet no definitive source was ever officially identified.

More recently, in September 2024, residents in the Formby area reported an unusually loud sound occurring during daylight hours, typically lasting from approximately 9:30 AM until mid-afternoon. While some residents speculate that this particular noise may be linked to localised utility work, similar to incidents that occurred in Southport and Banks back in 2022, others believe it could be a manifestation of the broader and more persistent 'Hum' phenomenon.

For example, Jaxqyeline, from Ainsdale, has posted on Nextdoor:- "For example, Jaxqyeline, from Ainsdale, has posted on Nextdoor:- "Strange question, but can anyone else hear a low frequency hum in their home? We’ve just moved to Ainsdale, and my husband and I can both hear it in the living room at night. The first time I heard it I thought someone was sitting in their car with the engine running, but when I looked out of the window, no one was outside. We’ve checked all of our appliances, the boiler, etc, but there’s nothing obvious. It seems to stop around midnight. Does anyone know what it could be? TIA"

Since the beginning of January 2024, reports of a low-frequency hum have surged once again across a wide swathe of the region, including Merseyside, North Wales, and Cheshire. A significant number of these accounts describe the sound as being non-directional, making it impossible to locate its origin, and note that it is most prominent during the quiet of nighttime hours, typically between 1 AM and 6 AM.

The Liverpool City Region, in particular, has seen a resurgence of public concern, with a growing number of residents turning to local media and online community platforms to report their troubling experiences. On the community chat website Nextdoor, posters have recently been complaining about hearing a low-frequency hum that sounds like an engine constantly running, despite there being no obvious source. The most recent posts originate from communities in Ainsdale, Formby, and Crosby. In addition to these, our newsroom has also received direct reports from individuals in Ormskirk and Blackpool, along with a few readers who contacted us from as far as Llandudno in North Wales. The majority of these reports appear to fall within an approximate 34 mile radius of Formby Point, suggesting a widespread but geographically concentrated issue. We would also like to hear from anyone else experiencing this issue; please share your accounts to help our newsroom build a clearer picture of the phenomenon.

Several potential sources have been suggested and investigated over the years. Some have pointed to the offshore wind farm, but that theory has largely been ruled out, as verifiable reports of this problem in our area date back to the early 1980s, long before the turbines were ever installed. Other suggestions include activities at RAF Woodvale, the Army training base at Altcar, and various industrial sources operating in the region. Our own inquiries have also looked into dredging operations in and around the:- Mersey Estuary and the wider Liverpool Bay, extending up to the:- Dee Estuary. Unfortunately, the publicly available schedules, timing, and locations of sediment extraction and disposal do not appear to match the pattern of reports we have received about this persistent and annoying sound.

For those affected by this frustrating issue and wishing to contribute to a wider body of research, the website:- TheHum.Info.offers a global platform where users can log incidents, compare experiences, and contribute to ongoing scientific efforts to understand this perplexing phenomenon.

Our latest original article on this topic can be found by clicking here.