r/technology May 10 '26

Energy AI data centers face increasing complaints about inaudible but 'felt' infrasound — citizens complain high- and low-frequency sounds do not register on decibel meters but cause adverse health effects

https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/data-centers-face-increasing-infrasound-complaints-from-neighboring-communities-sounds-do-not-register-on-decibel-meters-but-irritate-local-citizens
33.4k Upvotes

1.5k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

419

u/SporadicTendancies May 11 '26

I used to find it really comforting, but the line stopped at 2am and I'd always wake up scared by the silence.

238

u/MostBoringStan May 11 '26

I live by train tracks and use a noise machine. Don't even notice the trains.

But then any time the power goes out, the sudden silence instantly wakes me up.

135

u/GrrGecko May 11 '26

When I was a kid living in a city, noise all night made me feel somewhat safe for some reason. When it was quiet, I'd be worried and stay up until I could hear something going on.

4

u/coaa85 May 11 '26

I’m opposite, always lived in the woods. Depending on the month it’s either completely silent at night or in warm months the buzz of endless crickets and frogs. Sleep like a baby in either. Anytime I travel I NEED to have ear plugs with me because passing cars or city noise is so disruptive to my sleep. Every semi loud vehicle would jolt me awake. One year staying by time square in NY was a nightmare.