In New Mexico, a strange sound has puzzled residents and scientists for more than 30 years. The Taos Hum is a low-frequency noise that only a small share of people say they can hear.
Imagine being in your living room and hearing a low rumble that nobody else notices. Those who hear it often describe it as a distant diesel engine idling, or a faint vibration that is stronger indoors and at night.
In 1993, a study backed by the U.S. Congress tried to find its source. The researchers could not record the sound or identify where it came from, and the case remains unsolved.
Key Takeaways
- The Taos Hum is a low-frequency noise first widely reported in the early 1990s
- A 1993 survey found that about 2% of residents in the area reported hearing it
- Hearers describe a sound roughly between 30 and 80 Hz
- Investigators from the University of New Mexico and national laboratories could not find a source
- Similar “hums” have been reported in Bristol (UK), Largs (Scotland) and Windsor (Canada)
Understanding the Taos Hum: What It Is
The Taos Hum is a persistent, low-pitched sound that some people near Taos, New Mexico, say they hear almost constantly. Most people around them hear nothing at all.
Defining the Mysterious Sound
According to people who report it:
- It sounds like a distant engine, a deep drone or a throbbing vibration
- It is usually louder indoors and at night
- Covering the ears or using earplugs often does not stop it
Historical Context of the Phenomenon
The Taos Hum became famous in the early 1990s, when residents began complaining to local officials. In 1993, members of the New Mexico congressional delegation requested an investigation. A team led by the University of New Mexico, with researchers from Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, surveyed residents and used sensitive equipment to search for the sound.
The team could not detect any unusual sound or vibration, and its final report did not identify a source.
The Science Behind the Taos Hum
The Taos Hum is a rare case where people hear something that instruments do not pick up. That makes it as much a question about human hearing as about acoustics.
What the 1993 Study Found
- About 2% of surveyed residents said they heard the hum
- Hearers described frequencies roughly between 30 and 80 Hz
- No external source was recorded by the team’s equipment
Origin Hypotheses
Scientists and investigators have suggested several possible explanations:
- Low-frequency noise from industry, pipelines or power infrastructure
- Natural seismic activity or ocean-generated microseisms
- Sounds produced inside the ear itself
Similar reports exist elsewhere. Bristol, UK, had a famous “Hum” in the 1970s, and in Windsor, Ontario, researchers linked a hum to industrial activity on Zug Island, across the river in Michigan. These cases suggest that different hums may have different causes.
Common Theories Explaining the Hum
Geophysical Explanations
- Earth’s natural vibrations can produce very low-frequency signals
- Ocean waves generate microseisms that travel through the ground
- Small seismic movements could cause subtle vibrations
Industrial and Environmental Sources
- Industrial equipment and compressors can make low-frequency noise
- Gas pipelines and power lines have been suggested as sources
- Communication systems have also been proposed, without evidence
Psychological and Physiological Factors
Some researchers think the hum may come from the listener rather than the environment. Possible explanations include low-frequency tinnitus and spontaneous otoacoustic emissions, faint sounds generated by the inner ear. These ideas could explain why only some people hear it, although they do not account for every report.
Reports and Experiences of Taos Residents
Personal Accounts of the Hum
Local residents Bob and Catanya Saltzman were among the first to collect accounts from other hearers in the early 1990s. Many described a distant diesel-like rumble that was most noticeable indoors and at night.
Effects on Daily Life
People who hear the hum have reported problems such as:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches
- Irritability and anxiety
- A feeling of pressure or vibration in the body
Some have even moved away to escape the sound.
Community Reactions and Responses
The Taos Hum has caused both curiosity and frustration. Some hearers have learned to live with it, while others find it unbearable. Similar complaints have been reported in other parts of the United States and around the world.
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Cultural Impact of the Taos Hum
The Taos Hum has become part of the identity of Taos, New Mexico, and a favorite subject for documentaries, articles and podcasts about unexplained sounds.
It has also inspired online communities of “hum hearers” around the world, who compare experiences and track reports on shared maps.
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The Future of Research on the Taos Hum
The Taos Hum is a challenge that mixes acoustics, geology and neuroscience. Better low-frequency sensors and hearing research may one day explain why some people hear it and others do not.
Until then, the Taos Hum remains one of the most intriguing unexplained sounds in the world.
FAQ
What exactly is the Taos Hum?
The Taos Hum is a low-pitched sound that a small share of people near Taos, New Mexico, report hearing. It is often compared to a distant diesel engine. No source has been identified.
When did the Taos Hum first become known?
It became widely known in the early 1990s, when residents complained and a congressionally backed investigation followed in 1993.
Can everyone hear the Taos Hum?
No. In the 1993 survey, about 2% of residents said they heard it.
What are the main theories about the Taos Hum’s origin?
Theories include industrial or infrastructure noise, natural seismic vibrations and sounds produced inside the ear, such as low-frequency tinnitus.
How does the Taos Hum affect people who hear it?
Hearers report trouble sleeping, headaches and anxiety. Some have moved away to escape the sound.
Are there similar hum phenomena in other locations?
Yes. Hums have been reported in Bristol (UK), Largs (Scotland) and Windsor (Canada), where one was linked to industrial activity on Zug Island.
