Low Frequency Noise and Phantom Sounds

Abstract

Suffering from more or less continuous and more or less steady low pitched sounds at home can be a serious threat to well-being. Often the sound source is not obvious or cannot be found. In many cases there is no clear evidence from the analysis of the ambient sound what the disturbing sound could be. Thus Low Frequency Noise (LFN) has become an ominous concept, a confrontation between sufferers asking for understanding and a solution and experts who are frequently helpless. From reported measurements one must conclude that at least in some cases it is improbable or even impossible that LFN is actually present at a relevant level. Although, even then, sufferers often are convinced there has to be a real, external source. A much simpler explanation may be there is not, but the sound originates within the person. When brought in a very quiet environment, normally hearing people often hear low pitched and other sounds not physically present: phantom sounds. A hypothesis is that, when the presence of a physical sound cannot be confirmed, LFN sufferers hear low pitched phantom sounds as other people would in a dead quiet place, but do not recognize it than such. It may help sufferers to know this is a neurological phenomenon, not a psychological one. More knowledge of the sufferer about such sounds combined with the presence of more real sound at home could help to relieve the complaints.