The Hum has a very distinctive sound that is instantly recognised by Hum sufferers around the world. It is often described as the sound of a diesel engine idling some distance away.
The intensity of the Hum can vary greatly but it is usually at its most intense during the early hours, around 3-4am local time.
The Hum is invariably much greater indoors than outside, also greater in small rooms, passageways and stairwells.
The Hum can also be "heard" in a stationary car with the engine switched off.The Hum is very selective, approximately only 5% of the population "hear" the noise and almost all are aged or over 50
The physical effects which accompany the Hum vary both in type and intensity and depend a great deal on the individual.
The most common effects reported are:* Insomnia * Difficulty concentrating * Headache * Burning Skin * Nausea * Fatigue * Tension * Pins and Needles * Muscle Spasms * Heart Palpitations * Eye Strain * Ear PressureIt is interesting to note that of a list of 20 symptoms prepared by an organisation researching Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME) , 16 of these symptoms could be equally applied to those suffering from the HUM
A small sample of press cuttings collected from British newspapers over the past 23 years to view click here