Health risks of being affected by low-frequency noise coming from
"The Hum"
Industrial noise pollution like a Data Center, Bitcoin Mining
or any other low frequency noise for example an Air Conditioner, Heat pump or any other mechanical source.
The autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary bodily functions including heart rate, breathing, and digestion, plays a central role in the non-auditory response to chronic LFN. LFN acts as a non-specific environmental stressor, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (the 'fight or flight' response).
Sustained Physiological arousal
The autonomic nervous system triggering the sympathetic nervous system leads to a sustained state of physiological arousal, characterized by increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and vasoconstriction. The parasympathetic branch, which promotes rest, is suppressed. Over time, this chronic activation disrupts the balance (homeostasis) of the ANS, contributing to the development of cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders, and other stress-related health issues.
HPA and the sympathetic nervous system
When exposed to low frequency noise, the
body perceives it as a potential threat,
activating the "fight or flight" response. This
also triggers the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system.
Release of cortisol and adrenaline
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is the body's central
stress response system. When a stressor (like
low freqeuncy noise) is perceived, the hypothalamus signals the
pituitary gland, which in turn signals the
adrenal glands to release cortisol and adrenaline.
Increased blood pressure , heart rate and muscle tension
This hormonal surge increases heart rate, blood
pressure, and muscle tension, even during sleep.
Cortisol mobilizes energy resources and modulates
immune response to help the body cope
with the threat. Chronic activation, however, leads to system dysregulation and stress-related diseases.
Sustained elevated stress hormones and cardiovascular strain
The continuous sub-conscious activation of the HPA
axis and sympathetic nervous system also leads to sustained elevated stress hormones and cardiovascular strain, accumulating stress that is carried
into the waking hours and accelerating chronic disease development.
Sleep disturbance disrupts restorative
sleep
LFN exposure primarily disrupts the deeper, more restorative
stages of sleep: Slow-Wave Sleep (SWS) and
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Even when
not causing full awakening, LFN can increase
the frequency of 'micro-arousals' , which are brief shifts to lighter sleep stages. This sleep fragmentation prevents the necessary physiological and psychological recovery that occurs during restorative sleep. leading to the
chronic fatigue and cognitive deficits associated with LFN exposure.
How this relates to people affected by the Hum.
Stage 1 - First or early encounters with the Hum
There are many people whose lives have been devastated by the Hum. Most of them were minding there own business and living life happily when
they began the hear the Hum.
Some people describe the Hum as incessant pulsations or vibrations while others describe it as the sound of a diesel engine idling in the distance. One of the more frustrating aspects of hearing
either is that it is impossible to locate the source. For many people it seems to be very real and something that should be easy enough to find, however no matter how hard they look it is impossible
to pinpoint the source. Most reports also describe the Hum as having an omnipresence. It never seems to go away and gives people the feeling that there is nowhere to escape.
Another characteristic that adds to the frustration is that not everyone hears it. For someone who is affected, it may seem so loud that they can't believe that others can't hear it. This can cause
friction even among family members and most often causes the person who is affected to feel alone or isolated.
Stage 2 - Engaging the Hum to find a solution.
The next thing that happens after the first encounter with the Hum is engagement. Human nature leads someone who is affected to take
action and find a solution or a way to make the Hum go away. At this point, it may only be an annoyance or maybe a few sleepless nights that lead to the decision to take action. This is the point
where the decision that it can't simply be ignored happens. Some people hear the Hum, but it doesn't bother them enough to motivate them to do anything about it. Other's become almost obsessive and
feel like they are obligated to find a solution.
Stage 3 - The stress cycle begins.
At this point the Hum is starting to become a stressful event. Sleeplessness, omnipresent pulsations and feeling like there is no escape
begins to take its toll. For someone who has made an attempt to have the authorities recognize the Hum only to find that they don't hear anything and don't seem to believe that there is a Hum, there
can also be a sense of abandonment. At this point, mental stress alone may be starting to have a negative effect on hormone levels.
Stage 4 - The Hum has you in its grip physically and mentally.
Once you hit this Stage the Hum dominates every aspect of your life. Getting a good night's sleep seems to be impossible. The Hum is
there everywhere you go, and you can barely complete a thought without being annoyed by the sound or the vibration. There doesn't seem to be any way to escape, and there doesn't seem to be even
the slightest hope that the Hum might go away.
Stage 5 - Hitting bottom
At this point, you might have visited your Doctor, had your ears checked, and lost hope that anyone or anything can help you. You have decided that you can't win this fight and are ready to surrender
to the Hum. Your life has been impacted and many people ask, "Why me ?"
Stage 6 - The turning point
At Stage 6 of being affected by the Hum, it would seem that some people cannot be saved and will spend years and possibly decades in the grip of the Hum. Fortunately,
other people seem to find a way to survive, and life begins to improve. Lifestyle changes and choices that often start out with small steps gain momentum, and in time, people who were horribly
affected by the Hum recover completely and regain healthy and productive lives.
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