Hum Update November 2015

We continue to hear from people in Calgary and Edmonton who are noticing a hum.  Frequently, similar words and phrases are used to describe that they are hearing:

• the hum sounds like an engine idling in the distance
• the hum has also been described as sounding like a train locomotive idling
• there seems to be pressure in my ear (or ears) as well as there being a hum sound present
• the hum appears to be heard wherever there is an electrical grid, even in remote areas
• the hum is louder at night than in the daytime
• when the hum is heard inside, it seldom can be heard outside
• the hum seems to have started when smart meters were activated
• the hum is a "low" sound (often around 40 hertz)
• some people can hear the hum while others cannot
• there are some people who can feel a vibration associated with the hum as well as hearing it, while some others notice a vibration while not hearing a hum-
• sometimes there is a "thrumming" sound accompanying the hum, and/or the hum sometimes sounds like it is "wavering"

We've determined that the hum is a real phenomenon and is one that can be recorded.  The working hypothesis is that the hum is man-made, or "mechanical" in nature.  As far as we know, low frequency hums around 40 hertz do not naturally occur in nature.

The challenge has been determining the source, or sources, of the hum.  That has been the puzzle that has been difficult to crack.  We welcome continuing to hear from people who have leads and ideas in this regard.  We request that these are based in scientific possibility and are grounded with facts in some way.

Thank you to all that have been in touch with us.  Please continue to do so.

Mobile Phone App for Hum Search

Dr. Mike Smith and Adrien Gaspard of the University of Calgary began work on a mobile phone app intended to help identify and locate the Mysterious Ranchlands Hum.  Orchisama Das of Jadavpur University, India has been extending work on the app.  Their work has recently received considerable media attention.  The links to the various articles and broadcasts are included below:

Calgary Herald (July 27, 2015): Researchers develop app to record Ranchlands hum

CTV Calgary Evening News (July 28, 2015): Researchers hope to get a handle on hum in northwest neighbourhood

CBC Calgary News at 11 (July 28, 2015): Mobile Phone App to Assist in Solving Ranchlands' Hum Noise Nuisance (at approximately 8:25)

National Post (July 29, 2015): A mysterious hum has been plaguing residents of a Calgary community since 2008 

CBC Calgary Eyeopener (July 29, 2015): Ranchlands hum app

CHQR News Talk 770 (July 29, 2015): follow this link, select Audio Date = July 29, select Audio Time = 4 pm, skip to approximately 48 minutes 

Schulich School of Engineering (July 30, 2015): on Facebook, linking to Calgary Herald articles and inviting comments 

The University of Calgary has set up a web page to assist with Dr. Smith and Orchisama's work:

Investigation into Community Noise Issues (Hums around Calgary and throughout Alberta)

This is intended to be a useful resource for the hum investigation.