A lot of people these days are driven to distraction by the low hum from things like air conditioning systems or cooling fans. This is called low-frequency noise. For some sufferers, this noise can become so bad, it is like ‘thunder in the ears’. It is explained in detail in the Low-Frequency Noise Information Sheet.

Getting people to do something about low-frequency noise can be very difficult.

The Environmental Health Officers may dismiss the hum as ‘not really a problem’. Because it is not a conventionally loud noise, they may decide that it is something most people should be able to put up with. That, of course, is missing the whole point about your complaint. It is driving you crazy.

The Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) might not be even be able to hear the noise, or at least not hear the noise in the way you do. This is particularly the case if the noise you are hearing is like ‘thunder in the ears’. In the past the EHOs often dismissed it as tinnitus or, even worse, said people were just making it up. But these days that is unlikely to happen. EHOs usually accept that you are hearing a noise and that it is affecting you

It is often difficult to trace the source of low-frequency noise. It is not like loud music – it is usually very obvious where that it coming from. Sometimes the low-frequency noise problem can be traced quite easily – for example, if it is coming from a cooling fan in your neighbour’s house. At other times it can be difficult because low-frequency noise can travel much further distances than other noise. So the source could be a long way away and difficult for the EHO to trace.

Low frequency noise is measured in a different way from other noise. Sometimes the EHO will not have the right equipment – see Low-Frequency Noise Information Sheet.

Local authorities do not have what is known as a ‘statutory duty’ to deal with low-frequency noise. A ‘statutory’ duty is something which the law says local authorities must deal with, where they have no choice in the matter. For example, local authorities have a statutory duty to deal with homeless families or battered children. They don’t have a statutory duty to deal with low-frequency noise because it is not seen as a conventionally loud noise. When local authorities are strapped for cash, they concentrate their resources on areas where they have a statutory duty and so things like low frequency noise can be given a low priority. For more details about low-frequency noise click on the Low-Frequency Noise Information Sheet.

UK Noise Association, PO BOX 551

Chatham, Kent ME4 9AJ

Tel: 01634 863 852 www.ukna.org.uk info@ukna.org.uk

Briefing Sheets: Low-Frequency Noise—What Can I Do?