What is that noise?

Question

I always hear a high-pitched screeching sound, no matter where I am. My friends hear it too. What is it?

Answer 1

Yup, I hear it all the time.  Every year it get's worse.  It's called tinnitus.

Actually, though, since you say you hear it more with the TV on, it could be a real sound coming from electronics.  Students in my classroom at school can often can tell when I leave the classroom TV on, though it is behind sliding panels and is receiving no signal.  Try actually removing power from the electronics in your home and see if that helps.  (An earlier post mentioned RF noise, you will absolutely not hear that, but many electronics will generate a high pitch hum.)

Answer 2

i hear it too! but only when i concentrate on it. its weird isnt it?

Answer 3

The planet is bathed in radio frequency (RF) noise. It's amazing we all don't hear high-pitched whines and tintinitus! Shield your homes from RF noise and try a comfortable set of noise-blanking headphones like Bose or Edmund Scientific.

Answer 4

Do you and your friends listen to your Ipods at high volume?  Could be ringing in the ears.

Answer 5

I think it's just noise in your nerves.  Sort of like how you see colors when you close your eyes.  I think that's why when it's dead quiet you can hear it the loudest.  Well that's the background ringing sound, anyway.  I don't know if I'd describe it as screeching...

Answer 6

I hear it too!

It's like a beeeeeep isn't it?

And, it's clearer when the tv is on. My theory is that it's some electrical component or maybe electrons striking the screen. I really don't know, but thanks for asking the question.

Maybe there will be an answer.

edit: Hey Emily, i think the last answer hits the spot! But i wanted to know what EXACTLY makes that noise. I'll try to find it and let you know.