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'Strange hum is making our lives a misery'
A strange humming noise has been giving villagers headaches and keeping them awake at night.
Since October the vibrating noise has been affecting people living around the Nest estate, Mytholmroyd.
The noise is worse at night and is causing pressure headaches and loss of sleep – but not everyone can hear it.
Glenys Sutcliffe, who lives on the estate, said: "Last night I woke up and it felt like the washing machine was on full pelt. The pressure is shocking.
"Sometimes it quietens down but it keeps whirring all the time," she said.
"It makes me feel sick. I think I am going to have to move because I can't live with this in my head.
"You want to relax in your home and you can't. It makes me angry. I dread the nights and stay at my son's to catch up on sleep."
She has reported the noise to Environmental Health, Pennine Housing, Yorkshire Electricity and Network Rail, but none have been able to find the cause.
She has even had her hearing checked – but there is nothing wrong.
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "In October I started hearing a sound like a generator or pump, particularly at night."
She checked her central heating but nothing was found. Her ears started to hurt but medical checks ruled out a virus.
"It continued to get worse, becoming more constant and noisier. I was being woken several times a night and it was intermittent during the day." She now says she suffers constant pressure with nausea and headaches.
"The atmosphere can be quite static and electrical items and my phone lines are affected", she said. The problems disappear when the residents are away from their homes.
Christine Bampton-Smith (Lib Dem, Luddenden Foot) said: "The situation is causing those who can hear the noise considerable distress and discomfort.
"If anyone else has experienced this noise and cannot identify the source, come forward. And if there is an expert who has some ideas or someone who knows of any reason for it, please contact me."
I didn't see it... but I felt it
REPORTER Cathy Neligan writes:
When Courier photographer Jim Fitton and I visited the Nest estate at Mytholmroyd we were unable to hear the noise.
But there was definitely something. We could both feel increased pressure in our ears and jaws.
It was a bit like the pressure effect in a plane as it takes off or lands.
We both felt it as soon as we went into Mrs Sutcliffe's house. It lasted the entire time we were there. And continued for half an hour after we left.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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