The Hidden Hum

Travelers at JFK and LaGuardia have long complained about a strange sensation- an uneasy calm that washes over them in the busiest terminals. For years, it was brushed off as exhaustion or coincidence. But a recent leak from an acoustics survey suggests something else entirely: a low, engineered hum embedded into the soundscape of public spaces.

A Frequency Below Hearing

During a routine recalibration at the Lafayette Avenue station in Brooklyn, engineers detected an infrasonic tone hovering around 17.3 Hz. That’s below the threshold of human hearing, yet commuters standing in the testing zone reported feeling “relieved” and “oddly peaceful.”

“We don’t usually find patterns like this in a transit hub,” said Dr. Leila Han, a sound engineer with Columbia University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. “Electrical interference is common, but this was consistent, stable, and clearly intentional.”

A Tool for Crowd Control?

Behavioral psychologist Dr. Mateo Korr, who has conducted research at NYU Langone, called the findings “a silent experiment on the public.” “If these tones are real, they could be reducing agitation and stress in crowds. The ethical dilemma is obvious- consent. Nobody knows they’re being influenced,” Korr said.

Internal documents, reviewed by this publication, describe “acoustic regulation pilots” reportedly tested at airports in New York and Chicago since 2019. One chart claimed a measurable 14 percent reduction in altercations at security checkpoints.

The idea that sound can shape human emotions is not new. Ancient Greek physicians prescribed music as a treatment for melancholy, and records from 11th-century monasteries describe the use of sustained tones to calm restless congregations. In more recent history, the U.S. military experimented with sonic devices during the Cold War, testing whether low-frequency vibrations could disorient or pacify crowds.

Modern science has reinforced many of these claims. Studies published in the Journal of Music Therapy show that slow rhythmic patterns can reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure. Neurologists at Johns Hopkins have demonstrated that even simple tones can activate dopamine pathways in the brain, briefly lifting mood or creating a sense of focus.

“What’s striking about the 17.3 Hz frequency is how it aligns with the body’s natural resonance,” said Dr. Han. “We know from decades of psychoacoustic research that subtle vibrations, even those we cannot consciously hear, can alter stress levels. The hum fits neatly within that tradition.”

Critics argue that the leap from therapeutic soundscapes to covert public deployment is a dangerous one. “If a spa can use tones to soothe clients, should a transit authority be allowed to do the same to millions of people without their knowledge?” asked Dr. Korr. “It blurs the line between wellness and manipulation.”

Skepticism and Silence

Not all experts are convinced. Professor Elmer Witt of the University of Chicago insists the idea “borders on pseudoscience,” arguing there is little evidence infrasonic frequencies can reliably shape human behavior at scale. Neither the MTA nor the Port Authority responded to repeated requests for comment.

Outside the Rockaway Avenue station, reactions were mixed.

“I get panic attacks in crowds, and lately, they’ve been gone,” said Maya, a local student. “If it’s because of this sound, I don’t mind. It helps.” But Terrence, a retired postal worker waiting on the A train, laughed off the rumors. “Another government conspiracy."

An Unsettling Mystery

The hum continues, whether by design or by chance. What’s unclear is whether it’s a pioneering method of public safety, a carefully engineered trick, or a riddle hidden in plain sight. Until officials address it directly, commuters are left with the question: are we being calmed, or are we being played?

References

Han, L. (2025). Subsonic frequency calibration in transit hubs. Columbia University Acoustic Studies Journal, 44(3), 155–172.

Korr, M. (2024). Behavioral influence of ambient sound in high-density environments. NYU Langone Behavioral Review, 19(2), 201–219.

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. (2019). Pilot study: Acoustic regulation for passenger management. Internal report, unclassified section. 8. 15-1. 24