Originally published June 13, 2008 on Paranormal Stuff for the Simple Minded by Richard Bailey (KB5JBV)
One Strange Sound
Every once in a while, something weird shows up that refuses to fit into any neat category. For me, the Taos Hum is one of those things. It’s one of the stranger ongoing mysteries out there, and it’s been driving people in New Mexico crazy for decades.
If you’ve never heard of it, the Taos Hum is a deep, low-frequency humming noise reported by residents of Taos, New Mexico. People describe it as sounding like “a diesel truck idling in the distance.” Some hear it constantly, others only from time to time.
For a few, it’s just a faint background vibration. For others, it’s a living nightmare — a sound that follows them everywhere. The hum can cause headaches, insomnia, and even anxiety in those sensitive to it. That’s how the term “Hum sufferers” came about.
The Mystery Goes Public
The hum didn’t really hit public awareness until the 1990s, when complaints from Taos residents caught the attention of both scientists and the media. The University of New Mexico even conducted a formal study after receiving so many reports from the area.
The Taos Hum got its name because that’s where the phenomenon first gained national publicity. But similar low-frequency hums have been reported all over the world — from Bristol, England to Kokomo, Indiana, from Hawaii to New Zealand. Wherever it appears, it’s the same story: a deep, pulsing vibration that only some people can hear.
So What Could It Be?
Well, here’s where things get interesting. Theories range from industrial machinery to electromagnetic interference to something much stranger. In Kokomo, Indiana, investigators traced the sound to two sources:
- Fans at a local Chrysler plant producing a 36 Hz tone.
- An air compressor at the Haynes plant emitting around 10 Hz.
When two low frequencies like that mix, they can create what’s called intermodulation distortion — basically a third “ghost tone” that doesn’t really exist, but your ears and brain swear it does.
Still, that explanation only fits certain places. It doesn’t explain the hum heard in open desert, over oceans, or deep in mountain towns like Taos.
Other Possible Causes
- Man-made mechanical noise
- Geological infrasound from shifting rock formations
- Pulsed microwave emissions
- Electromagnetic waves from power grids or radio systems
- Atmospheric pressure variations
- Even the human ear itself producing self-generated tones under stress
So, What the Heck Is This?
Honestly? No one knows. And that’s what keeps it interesting.
Maybe it’s geology, maybe it’s technology, or maybe it’s just another reminder that the world still holds a few secrets science hasn’t nailed down yet.
Until then, if you ever find yourself in northern New Mexico and hear a low rumble that won’t go away — don’t worry, it’s not your car. You might just be hearing the Taos Hum.
Taos Hum, unexplained phenomena, infrasound, paranormal New Mexico, strange sounds, mystery hum
About the Author
Richard G. Bailey Sr. (KB5JBV) is a writer, broadcaster, and researcher based in Texas.
A lifelong amateur radio operator and communications enthusiast, he has spent decades exploring the crossroads of technology, folklore, and public service. Through his blogs and podcasts—including Paranormal Stuff for the Simple Minded and Resonant Frequency: The Amateur Radio Podcast—Richard brings complex topics down to earth with humor, history, and humanity.
Follow his work at RichardBaileyTX.info and ContentForge.store.
Tags: Taos Hum, unexplained phenomena, infrasound, paranormal New Mexico, strange sounds, mystery hum