© Unknown
A mystery noise in the form of a persistent hum or buzz has residents across the inner west scratching their heads and reaching for the ear plugs.
When Neil Hill of Newtown wrote a letter to the editor about such a hum and it appeared in the
Courier's October 6 edition, he had no idea the response would be immediate and international.
John Berry, who lives opposite Sydney University, said a continuous humming noise had disturbed his sleep for years but his investigation of the noise had been fruitless.
"Sydney University has mechanical equipment running 24/7 so it seemed the most logical source," Mr Berry said.
A noise consultant hired by the university failed to identify any problem - and Mr Berry said this week it was almost impossible to identify the source of low frequency noise. Balmain's Rosa Needham was glad to hear she was not the only one hearing a consistent hum. She tried to find the source but to no avail.
"It certainly seems to be worse in the early hours of the morning but that's probably because it is so quiet at night," Mrs Needham said, adding: " ... I try not to focus on it too much."
Low-Frequency HummingWhen Mario Grech from the sleepy village of Woodland, England, received a copy of the
Inner West Courier from his brother in Marrickville, he was surprised to read a mysterious hum was being heard on the other side of the world.
A similar mystery noise has been plaguing some of the villagers of the rural town. His wife Marilyn described the noise as a low-frequency humming noise.
"I hear it between midnight and 4am and it keeps me awake," Mrs Grech said.
Mr Grech described Woodland as a quiet little town with one street, one shop and a pub.
He said investigations had revealed that people all over the world were hearing a similar hum but no common source had been identified. "It's been suggested that it could be underground mines but that has not been proven."
Same times of day, from about midnight to early morning.
Almost like an infrasonic nagging that feels like it is directly affecting the inner ear and head.
I don't think it is an internally produced sound, definitely not heart or circulatory. I would go to my doctor, but I don't like to use doctors and they might not take it seriously
I've got no clue what it is? I thought it was 'just me' for a long time. It's not just in the house either.
Neighbours washing machine? Street noise? Air Conditioning / Air Source Heat pumps?
It seems to affect me more than others in the house, though sometimes they perceive it, but it can be annoying enough to affect getting to sleep.
I'd love to know.