2024 UPDATE – A theoretical logic flow map for Worldwide Hum researchers and interested scientists (Author: Henrik)
Here is Henrik’s latest Logic Flow Map for those seriously interested in World Hum research.
I have the pleasure of presenting this work by Henrik, one of our forum contributors with serious scientific credentials. (Henrik, along with Bernie Hutchins, played a major role in developing the new version of our Hum Map Survey). It is a logic flow diagram that sorts out the logic and decision making regarding the source of the Worldwide Hum. It will prove valuable for scientists new to the phenomenon, those who are scientifically literate, and those who have already invested time and energy into this issue.
I am about to appear on William Shatner’s History Channel show “UnXplained”
It has taken 13 years, but on Friday I will get the chance to expose several million viewers to a serious discussion of the Worldwide Hum.
I want everyone to understand that all along I have been completely transparent about the fact that as much as the world media has used me, I have used them. I have not taken a single dime for any interview I have done. I have conducted 90 minute interviews on Youtube channels that have ended up having less than 100 views. I have also done shows like Coast to Coast AM, which had millions of listeners. Many researchers have come before me: Mullins, Kelly, Cowan, Deming, Leventhall, Frosch. But mine is the first project in the internet age and, moreover, unlike the above men, I know a fair bit about everything, as opposed to a lot about a narrow field of expertise. As much as I have insisted upon on an abrasively strict program of scientific skepticism and rigour, I have entertained and seriously examined every theory and postulate presented to me, no matter how seemingly outlandish. I have been criticized for adopting lazy terminology regarding the phenomenon. but that was intentional. The goal all along was to intrigue the viewers and listeners while at the same time educating the public on some very basic science.
Recall my ultimate goal: I want a university or serious private laboratory to take this on and solve it. They can go ahead and take the credit; I don’t care. I do care about the many hundreds (possibly thousands by now) of people who have written to me who are suffering and want answers. They have put their trust in me and I will carry this project forward for them.
Glen
Update – November, 2025
I have been zeroing in on the possible role of NSAID analgesics and anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen/Advil) as a precursor or aggravating factor in perceiving the Hum. I think the recent story about the (unsubstantiated) role of prenatal acetaminophen/Tylenol use in Autism was not only irresponsible, but a setback for future serious inquiries in other areas. (Note that acetaminophen is not an NSAID.)
I arrived at my speculation surrounding ibuprofen and other NSAIDs mainly because of the historical timeline of the Hum. The introduction of ibuprofen in England and then the USA roughly works.
If there are any amateur scientific sleuths out there looking for a project that could move all this forward, I have a good one for you. Let me know.
Cheers
Glen
Here is a basic guide for tracking down the source of disturbing local environmental noise
I never intended for this to be a significant part of the project, but it has become so.
Henrik has written an outstanding how-to guide for tracking down nuisance environmental noise with only a cellphone and an app.
An Update and Statement
Hello.
The Hum Map has been in the news quite a bit over the past few weeks, and there was indeed some tension with one news outlet in the UK. I finally figured out what was going on.
As unlikely as it sounds, there is only one single article on the internet that is my own (very lightly edited) writing, and that is the piece in The Conversation. It listed the four reasonable hypotheses for the source of the World Hum.
The problem was, that article is from 2016. Not long after that article came out, we dismissed the VLF radio theory through physical experiments (including the notorious “Deming Box” regrettably seen on Inside Edition). There is an accumulation of evidence that the World Hum is an internally generated phenomenon, possibly involving some of the same neural and auditory pathways as otoacoustic emissions. There may also be environmental, medical, anatomical, or pharmaceutical pre-requisites involved. One line of inquiry surrounds the possible role of NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen. Henrik has suggested some specific mechanisms and experiments, but we await a Doctoral candidate or professor to participate in the research.
As for “Russian subs” possibly being responsible for the sonic troubles in Scotland, that is still a misreading of the article. I didn’t say the submarines were responsible, but rather the massive land-based transmitters that are belting out huge power signals, and those enormous VLF transmitters are found in various places around the planet. Many countries operate on these frequencies for different reasons, but the highest power stations are military, including the United States, France, the UK, Russia, India, and others. One of the most powerful in the world is located roughly 100 miles south of here at Jim Creek Naval Radio Station. It transmits at 24.8 kHz at 1.2 MW.
But it’s not causing the World Hum. As I wrote above, we had enough evidence to move on from that.
So I suppose It’s time to write an updated and detailed state of the project.
Cheers,
Glen
Bluesky?
I joined Bluesky only because a reader suggested it. Most of these startup social apps go nowhere in the end, but just in case, I’m there now in addition to X: worldhum.bsky.social
I’ll be moving over to the X platform
Hi. WordPress is turning into an unnecessary expense for me, so I will be moving away from it over the next while.
You can stay up to date on X: https://x.com/worldhummap
Cheers
Glen
The Hum Map is back online, but …
The DNS pointers to the new host have now propagated, although your browser may still be caching the old site for a few hours.
And, I am working with a volunteer who has generously offered to help me sort out some organizational issues with the two databases that serve the Hum Map. I am turning my attention to that issue next.
Glen
Switching hosts – the Hum Map is down for now
I’m sorting out some web publishing issues.
I need a competent MySQL+cPanel user to help with something
I’ve spent a few hours now looking at the Hum Map databases and the PHP code that accesses it, and something is not right. I suspect that there are thousands of points that are missing from the Hum Map – my own original 2012 location included!
There are several MySQL databases in play, and my Google Drive is loaded with various backups and testing files. I suspect that an experienced and competent MySQL+cPanel user could sort this out without too much time or effort.
I would of course announce your help and link to your LinkedIn or other profile.
Cheers, Glen.
World Hum Map and Database Project 