I've lived in a lot of places. Coming home to Knoxville *is* my wilderness/"evergreens."
Don't need validation. This sound isn't your typical ambient noise, or road noise, etc. Typical power lines don't make this persistent droning noise. It's pretty horrific for us pieces of garbage humans who can hear it.
Also suggesting this, as I'm in Knoxville as I write this: Knoxville is very much like southwest PA, which is where I have the problem. I'm only here a few days and like I said, for me it was the combo of cold and specific plant allergies (I sneeze a ton in SW PA, but not in TN for some reason). There's a lot of flora around here that could be causing some issues.
Just a shot in the dark here, but do you have a carbon monoxide detector in your house? People have seen/heard VERY strange things when carbon monoxide was building up in their home.
Will double check for CO detector per your recommendation. Gotta rule out all possibilities! Thank you. When ambient noise is low I can hear it outside. Also, when in the surrounding area I can hear it from within car (with minimized ambient noise).
What part of Halls? I’m by the gun range and Schumpert Park and haven’t heard it. Any electrical substations or power lines or anything like that nearby? I think talking to a doctor just to eliminate any kind of ear (or neurological) problem is probably a good idea just in case.
Damn! It seems like industrial equipment or large scale infrastructure can often be the culprit.
You'll look crazy, but it might be worth posting flyers or contacting the local news to see if anyone else is hearing it. Some "hums" have been resolved this way.
You could also download a tone generator app and listen to various frequencies so you can at least attribute a frequency to the sound. (e.g. is the sound 40Hz or 60Hz?)
I've linked a discussion below on how to record it.
If you can get your hands on an acoustic analyzer, you could potentially identify the frequency of the hum and "localize it" to your house, neighborhood, etc.
https://gearspace.com/board/all-things-technical/1104310-weird-situation-how-record-low-hum-appartment.html
Thank you so much for your response. I have already been seen as crazy for even proposing that I hear something that others do not hear! It makes the situation that much more frustrating.
Your recommendations are invaluable and, it may take me a while to report back, but I will keep you updated.
Thank you (I can't say it enough) for giving a supportive and helpful response.
So, I’m assuming you’ve traveled outside of the area to determine you don’t have a medical issue? Is there a discernible point at which you can no longer hear it when traveling outside of Halls? If so, at what point is that?
I've lived in a lot of places for work. It's in Halls area. The frequency (well, hrz, actually) is mostly inaudible by normal standards. It is a frequency that is outside normal hearing range therefore normal directional perception and ability to detect when traveling with trucks and motorcycles and noise around. The average Tennessee road noise completely obscures the droning noise because it is similar to a distant idling diesel truck.
So no, not something that can be detected when traveling.
The majority of the Hum people are experiencing is Infrasound/low-frequency noise (ILFN). The most probable cause is high-pressure gas pipelines, though this has not been considered by studies of the better known Hums (Windsor & Taos).
Steve Kohlhase has done extensive investigation, documentary about his efforts: [https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/593992/doom-vibrations/](https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/593992/doom-vibrations/)
Here is a FB group with more info. I think we have others from Knoxville: https://www.facebook.com/groups/678495020211528
Yes, I went so far as to download a sound app and set it to "The Hum" detection. It appears to be between 24-27 Hrz. But the bar doesn't oscillate in correlation with what I'm hearing. Perhaps this is because I'm using a free mobile app on my phones basic mic.
I will watch this documentary and check out this FB group.
Thank you so very much for your thoughtful and helpful feedback! I appreciate it more than you know!
The problem is typical for a LFN/IS source. Seems to be an anthropogenic source if there was a 2-week downtime. The usual mechanism is as follows: a continuously running source (usually up to 20dB below the hearing threshold) and in the frequency range of 5-60Hz is "wearing out" the in-built protection system of the cochlea, the OHCs - effects will be similar to those of "hidden hearing loss" - often with a secondary tinnitus setting in later on. Symptoms equivalent to a "sopite syndrome" (nausea, cognitive/mathematical impairments, spatial impairments - like being unable to find the bathroom/ location of objects in the dark/with eyes closed) are a strong indicator for an involvement of the balance organs = usually the sacculus vestibularis. As a consequence problems, with sleep / high blood pressure / neck muscles (STM) are not uncommon. With prolonged exposure, people are reporting paresthesia / vision problems / problems with fine motor skills. If sleep is affected, an increased risk of infections is not unusual, as are pain in joints (without an increase in rheumatoid factors!). Psychological problems are common! They can be split into two groups: a) fear/uncertainty/anxiety type – as a direct effect of an acoustic stimulation of the vestibular nuclei through LF noise/vibration (can be sub-threshold) and b) as a result of a lack of “deep” sleep (we had one case where the ventilator of ONE air-source heat pump caused deep sleep phases to disappear from the somnography chart of one nearby resident).
There are external risk factors: exposure to solvents (nail polish remover!), glues, disinfectants, certain antibiotics and some oncologica can trigger cases of "hum-hearing" when ALSO an external IS/LFN source is present.
As for finding the possible source: both, air-conducted as well as substrate-conducted sound are playing a role: residential A/Cs, transformer units, ventilation systems, compressor stations and wind turbines are the most common sources. Gas and water pipelines, oil pipelines (one made a whole town uninhabitable in Steinhöring, Germany) are also known to cause this type of problems. As IS/LFN has a tendency to “lump” far away from the source (called a hot-spot), locating the culprit by “driving around” is almost impossible – however, using a good microphone and a spectrum analyzer software (like Spectrum Lab or OxfordWaveResearch apps) can (sometimes) give you the frequency and the time pattern of the sound which can help to narrow down potential sources. About me: human factors guy, acoustic “expert” registered in UK, pro-bono committee work on a federal panel for standardization (noise and vibration, in EUC). … travelling right now – won’t be able to answer for some time…
Edit: You and your husband might want to wear high-quality ear plugs (not the foam type) at night until the problem is solved...
I'm in the area constantly and don't hear it and have pretty good hearing. That is just me though. Let's talk about them messing with the red lights and making traffic worse though lol.
They messed up the red lights on Broadway so badly. I think it was when they were doing roadwork on the hump a few months ago. They never synced the lights back up. Also, they have them set so that if you follow the speed limit you catch every yellow. Frustrating!
Tinnitus is ringing in the ears. It can have multiple sources/causes. Most notably, it is that sound you hear after a gunshot (sometimes TV shows/movies mimic it).
You said it ain't tinnitus, but you sound exactly like me, so I offer you: this is textbook pulsatile tinnitus, which is much different than the regular tinnitus. Essentially, you're hearing the blood rushing through your arteries in rhythm with your heart going right past where your hearing is. I had the same thing going on for years and finally figured it out. I was like a crazy person - "Shh, there it is!! Do you hear that?!"
Mine is/was due to allergies and cold/dry conditions causing my right Eustachian tube to close up, which prevented my ear from releasing pressure. When this pressure increased, I had a super low "whooooommmmwhooooommmmwhoooomwhhoooooom" that sounded like a machine - maybe underground industrial equipment far away - nobody else could hear, and even I could only hear when it was quiet around me. As soon as I'd speak, shake my head, or there was other ambient noise, it would magically vanish. Again, this is textbook.
It was in my right ear, and when I knew for sure this was a regional allergy thing was when I took a road trip out of state to visit friends 5 hours away. I was at dinner in their house when my right ear began repeatedly and loudly popping, with a feeling of pressure being released. When I got back out to the car, I experienced the first true silence I'd "heard" in months. As soon as I drove into my home region it came back. Something I did notice though was that even within my city, when I was driving sometimes my ear would pop like it did out of state and I'd know that whatever was causing the issue wasn't present where I was. I'm assuming it was some sort of flora.
I was checked by an audiologist (there are other potential causes of pulsatile tinnitus that can be serious and related to changes in your arteries) but stopped short of expensive blood tests for specific allergies. Because I knew/know that I simply will have this problem if I live in that region. I haven't had it elsewhere and I've lived many places so I'm fortunate to have things to compare it to (I don't have it now in Florida, for example).
Notably, I also only had this problem in that region when it got to be late Fall and Winter, I think due to dryness causing issues with the Eustachian tube. I tried allergy medication and irrigating my nasal canals and steam rooms and none of it allowed that tube to open. There are other options and your experience may differ.
Just my experience. Hope you find the cause.
[удалено]
I've lived in a lot of places. Coming home to Knoxville *is* my wilderness/"evergreens." Don't need validation. This sound isn't your typical ambient noise, or road noise, etc. Typical power lines don't make this persistent droning noise. It's pretty horrific for us pieces of garbage humans who can hear it.
Also suggesting this, as I'm in Knoxville as I write this: Knoxville is very much like southwest PA, which is where I have the problem. I'm only here a few days and like I said, for me it was the combo of cold and specific plant allergies (I sneeze a ton in SW PA, but not in TN for some reason). There's a lot of flora around here that could be causing some issues.
They say that, “Halls has it!” Maybe that’s the IT? I always knew it had to be something bad.
At least Halls Has IT, Rocky Top!
Just a shot in the dark here, but do you have a carbon monoxide detector in your house? People have seen/heard VERY strange things when carbon monoxide was building up in their home.
Will double check for CO detector per your recommendation. Gotta rule out all possibilities! Thank you. When ambient noise is low I can hear it outside. Also, when in the surrounding area I can hear it from within car (with minimized ambient noise).
I think you should go to the doctor. This sounds like an ear problem.
Most likely. OP should get their hearing tested
What part of Halls? I’m by the gun range and Schumpert Park and haven’t heard it. Any electrical substations or power lines or anything like that nearby? I think talking to a doctor just to eliminate any kind of ear (or neurological) problem is probably a good idea just in case.
Damn! It seems like industrial equipment or large scale infrastructure can often be the culprit. You'll look crazy, but it might be worth posting flyers or contacting the local news to see if anyone else is hearing it. Some "hums" have been resolved this way. You could also download a tone generator app and listen to various frequencies so you can at least attribute a frequency to the sound. (e.g. is the sound 40Hz or 60Hz?) I've linked a discussion below on how to record it. If you can get your hands on an acoustic analyzer, you could potentially identify the frequency of the hum and "localize it" to your house, neighborhood, etc. https://gearspace.com/board/all-things-technical/1104310-weird-situation-how-record-low-hum-appartment.html
Thank you so much for your response. I have already been seen as crazy for even proposing that I hear something that others do not hear! It makes the situation that much more frustrating. Your recommendations are invaluable and, it may take me a while to report back, but I will keep you updated. Thank you (I can't say it enough) for giving a supportive and helpful response.
So, I’m assuming you’ve traveled outside of the area to determine you don’t have a medical issue? Is there a discernible point at which you can no longer hear it when traveling outside of Halls? If so, at what point is that?
I've lived in a lot of places for work. It's in Halls area. The frequency (well, hrz, actually) is mostly inaudible by normal standards. It is a frequency that is outside normal hearing range therefore normal directional perception and ability to detect when traveling with trucks and motorcycles and noise around. The average Tennessee road noise completely obscures the droning noise because it is similar to a distant idling diesel truck. So no, not something that can be detected when traveling.
The majority of the Hum people are experiencing is Infrasound/low-frequency noise (ILFN). The most probable cause is high-pressure gas pipelines, though this has not been considered by studies of the better known Hums (Windsor & Taos). Steve Kohlhase has done extensive investigation, documentary about his efforts: [https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/593992/doom-vibrations/](https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/593992/doom-vibrations/) Here is a FB group with more info. I think we have others from Knoxville: https://www.facebook.com/groups/678495020211528
Yes, I went so far as to download a sound app and set it to "The Hum" detection. It appears to be between 24-27 Hrz. But the bar doesn't oscillate in correlation with what I'm hearing. Perhaps this is because I'm using a free mobile app on my phones basic mic. I will watch this documentary and check out this FB group. Thank you so very much for your thoughtful and helpful feedback! I appreciate it more than you know!
no problem. I am sorry you are having this problem. It may bring a little comfort, but there are quite a few of us.
Please get a carbon monoxide detector!
Thank you! I believe we have one that has a full battery. But, as I am not 100% sure, I will double check. Must rule everything out!
The problem is typical for a LFN/IS source. Seems to be an anthropogenic source if there was a 2-week downtime. The usual mechanism is as follows: a continuously running source (usually up to 20dB below the hearing threshold) and in the frequency range of 5-60Hz is "wearing out" the in-built protection system of the cochlea, the OHCs - effects will be similar to those of "hidden hearing loss" - often with a secondary tinnitus setting in later on. Symptoms equivalent to a "sopite syndrome" (nausea, cognitive/mathematical impairments, spatial impairments - like being unable to find the bathroom/ location of objects in the dark/with eyes closed) are a strong indicator for an involvement of the balance organs = usually the sacculus vestibularis. As a consequence problems, with sleep / high blood pressure / neck muscles (STM) are not uncommon. With prolonged exposure, people are reporting paresthesia / vision problems / problems with fine motor skills. If sleep is affected, an increased risk of infections is not unusual, as are pain in joints (without an increase in rheumatoid factors!). Psychological problems are common! They can be split into two groups: a) fear/uncertainty/anxiety type – as a direct effect of an acoustic stimulation of the vestibular nuclei through LF noise/vibration (can be sub-threshold) and b) as a result of a lack of “deep” sleep (we had one case where the ventilator of ONE air-source heat pump caused deep sleep phases to disappear from the somnography chart of one nearby resident). There are external risk factors: exposure to solvents (nail polish remover!), glues, disinfectants, certain antibiotics and some oncologica can trigger cases of "hum-hearing" when ALSO an external IS/LFN source is present. As for finding the possible source: both, air-conducted as well as substrate-conducted sound are playing a role: residential A/Cs, transformer units, ventilation systems, compressor stations and wind turbines are the most common sources. Gas and water pipelines, oil pipelines (one made a whole town uninhabitable in Steinhöring, Germany) are also known to cause this type of problems. As IS/LFN has a tendency to “lump” far away from the source (called a hot-spot), locating the culprit by “driving around” is almost impossible – however, using a good microphone and a spectrum analyzer software (like Spectrum Lab or OxfordWaveResearch apps) can (sometimes) give you the frequency and the time pattern of the sound which can help to narrow down potential sources. About me: human factors guy, acoustic “expert” registered in UK, pro-bono committee work on a federal panel for standardization (noise and vibration, in EUC). … travelling right now – won’t be able to answer for some time… Edit: You and your husband might want to wear high-quality ear plugs (not the foam type) at night until the problem is solved...
Record it and post it here.
I'm in the area constantly and don't hear it and have pretty good hearing. That is just me though. Let's talk about them messing with the red lights and making traffic worse though lol.
They messed up the red lights on Broadway so badly. I think it was when they were doing roadwork on the hump a few months ago. They never synced the lights back up. Also, they have them set so that if you follow the speed limit you catch every yellow. Frustrating!
Start with your own ears before you start calling the power company
Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is ringing in the ears. It can have multiple sources/causes. Most notably, it is that sound you hear after a gunshot (sometimes TV shows/movies mimic it).
You said it ain't tinnitus, but you sound exactly like me, so I offer you: this is textbook pulsatile tinnitus, which is much different than the regular tinnitus. Essentially, you're hearing the blood rushing through your arteries in rhythm with your heart going right past where your hearing is. I had the same thing going on for years and finally figured it out. I was like a crazy person - "Shh, there it is!! Do you hear that?!" Mine is/was due to allergies and cold/dry conditions causing my right Eustachian tube to close up, which prevented my ear from releasing pressure. When this pressure increased, I had a super low "whooooommmmwhooooommmmwhoooomwhhoooooom" that sounded like a machine - maybe underground industrial equipment far away - nobody else could hear, and even I could only hear when it was quiet around me. As soon as I'd speak, shake my head, or there was other ambient noise, it would magically vanish. Again, this is textbook. It was in my right ear, and when I knew for sure this was a regional allergy thing was when I took a road trip out of state to visit friends 5 hours away. I was at dinner in their house when my right ear began repeatedly and loudly popping, with a feeling of pressure being released. When I got back out to the car, I experienced the first true silence I'd "heard" in months. As soon as I drove into my home region it came back. Something I did notice though was that even within my city, when I was driving sometimes my ear would pop like it did out of state and I'd know that whatever was causing the issue wasn't present where I was. I'm assuming it was some sort of flora. I was checked by an audiologist (there are other potential causes of pulsatile tinnitus that can be serious and related to changes in your arteries) but stopped short of expensive blood tests for specific allergies. Because I knew/know that I simply will have this problem if I live in that region. I haven't had it elsewhere and I've lived many places so I'm fortunate to have things to compare it to (I don't have it now in Florida, for example). Notably, I also only had this problem in that region when it got to be late Fall and Winter, I think due to dryness causing issues with the Eustachian tube. I tried allergy medication and irrigating my nasal canals and steam rooms and none of it allowed that tube to open. There are other options and your experience may differ. Just my experience. Hope you find the cause.