A Strange Hum! Trivia Quiz

Answer: New Mexico

The Taos Hum phenomenon takes its name from Taos, New Mexico, where it was first widely reported and investigated in the early 1990s. The small town sits in the high desert of northern New Mexico. It's known for its artistic community and mountain scenery. When residents began reporting a persistent humming sound that no one could identify or stop, the mystery attracted international attention.

What makes Taos particularly interesting is that whilst the hum is named after this location, similar unexplained humming sounds have been reported in various places around the world. However, Taos became the focal point for research and investigation because many residents there experienced the phenomenon simultaneously. The concentration of reports in one location made it easier for researchers to study.

Answer: 2%

Studies suggest that only about 2% of Taos residents can actually hear the mysterious hum. The vast majority of people living in the same area hear absolutely nothing unusual. This has led to various theories about why some people are affected whilst others aren't, and the pattern is consistent across other locations where similar hums have been reported worldwide.

Researchers have tried to find common factors among those who can hear these sounds, looking at age, hearing sensitivity, and other physical characteristics. However, no clear pattern has emerged that explains the selectivity. The phenomenon remains unexplained.

Answer: Congress

In the early 1990s, Congress directed a formal investigation into the Taos Hum in response to constituent complaints. Multiple agencies visited Taos to interview residents, conduct sound measurements, and investigate potential sources, including industrial facilities.

Despite this, no definitive cause was identified. Teams used specialised equipment to measure sound frequencies but couldn't detect anything matching what hearers described. They examined everything from military bases to underground geological activity, but none of the explanations held up. The investigation ended without solving the mystery, leaving hearers frustrated.

Answer: A low frequency diesel engine idling

People who hear the Taos Hum most commonly describe it as sounding like a distant diesel engine idling or low-frequency rumbling. The sound is persistent, continuing day and night. Many compare it to a heavy truck running nearby, though no vehicle can be found. The low frequency means it's felt as much as heard.

The described characteristics are remarkably consistent. The sound is always low-pitched, continuous, and seems to come from no identifiable direction. Some report it's worse indoors, whilst others find it equally intrusive everywhere. This consistency suggests the phenomenon has genuine physical characteristics.

Answer: No, it has never been detected by equipment

Despite many attempts, the Taos Hum has never been captured by recording equipment. Researchers have brought microphones, frequency detectors, and sound measurement devices to Taos, yet nothing unusual has been detected. Multiple people report hearing a persistent sound whilst instruments register nothing.

This creates a problem. It suggests the sound either exists in a form that current equipment can't detect, or the phenomenon might be internal to the hearers rather than external. Some researchers have proposed that what people hear might be generated within their own auditory systems.

However, a similar hum in Auckland, New Zealand was reportedly recorded at around 56 hertz in 2006. This suggests that some hum phenomena may be detectable under certain conditions, even if the Taos Hum itself remains elusive.

Answer: The Bristol Hum

The Bristol Hum is the United Kingdom's most famous unexplained humming phenomenon. Reports of it date back several decades. Residents in and around Bristol have reported hearing a persistent, low-frequency sound similar to what has been reported in Taos. Like its American counterpart, the Bristol Hum affects only a small percentage of the population whilst the majority hear nothing. Investigations have been conducted but no source has been definitively identified.

This global pattern has led some researchers to propose a widespread cause rather than something localised to specific locations, though what that cause might be remains unknown.

Answer: Sleep disruption, anxiety and nosebleeds

The Taos Hum has serious negative effects on those who can hear it. Sleep disruption is one of the most commonly reported problems, with the persistent sound making it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. Many report developing anxiety and stress from the constant noise that nobody else seems to hear. Some sufferers report physical symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and nosebleeds.

The psychological toll can be significant because hearers often struggle to convince others that the sound is real. When equipment fails to detect anything, sufferers can feel isolated or questioned about their mental health. Some people have been driven to move away from affected areas in search of relief, only to sometimes find the hum appears in their new location. The impact on quality of life can be severe for those who experience it constantly.

Answer: The Kokomo Hum

The Kokomo Hum in Kokomo, Indiana became another well-documented case of unexplained persistent sound in the United States. Like Taos, Kokomo residents reported hearing a low frequency hum that caused sleep disruption and other problems. The case gained attention in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with investigations attempting to identify industrial sources. Some researchers claimed to have identified specific factory equipment as the source, though not all hearers were convinced.

What makes the Kokomo case interesting is that it shows how difficult these investigations can be even when potential industrial sources exist. Kokomo is a manufacturing town with various factories, giving investigators plenty to examine. However, pinpointing exactly which equipment was responsible, and proving it matched what hearers described, proved challenging.

Answer: Military submarine communications

One of the most frequently proposed explanations for the Taos Hum involves very low frequency (VLF) radio waves used by military submarines to communicate underwater. These transmissions can travel vast distances and penetrate deep into the ocean. Some researchers have suggested that certain individuals might be able to perceive these radio waves as sound, either through direct perception or through vibrations created when the waves interact with metal objects or structures.

The submarine communication theory has some appeal because it would explain why the hum is heard in multiple locations worldwide and why it's continuous rather than intermittent. However, this explanation has significant problems. VLF transmissions operate at frequencies that shouldn't be perceivable as sound by the human ear, and it doesn't explain why recording equipment fails to detect anything. It also doesn't account for the selectivity of who can hear it.

Answer: Hearers

People who can perceive the Taos Hum are commonly referred to as 'hearers' in research papers and news reports about the phenomenon. This simple term distinguishes them from the majority of the population who experience no unusual sounds. It's become the standard way to discuss those affected without suggesting they're imagining things.

The choice of terminology reflects the scientific uncertainty surrounding the phenomenon. Calling them 'sufferers' would suggest a medical condition, whilst 'sensitives' might imply special abilities. 'Hearers' simply acknowledges that these individuals hear something, whether that's an external sound or an internal auditory phenomenon. This allows for investigation into both possibilities without dismissing their reports.