--- title: "Data Center Emits Constant Screeching Noise Directly Into Man’s House" description: "Residents of Dowagiac, Michigan complain that a nearby data center is emitting a constant screeching noise day and night." date: "2026-07-05" modified: "2026-07-05" authors: - name: "Frank Landymore" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/flandymore" url: "https://futurism.com/science-energy/data-center-screeching-noise-house" categories: - "Environment" - "Pollution" - "Science & Energy" --- # Data Center Emits Constant Screeching Noise Directly Into Man’s House ![A photo illustration featuring a man with his hands over his ears trying to block out a loud noise.]() *Illustration by Tag Hartman-Simkins / Futurism. Source: Shutterstock* Set foot in Dowagiac, a sleepy town in Southwest Michigan, and you'll immediately notice two things that stand out in the otherwise rustic surroundings: a massive 30 megawatt data center — and the constant ear piercing noise it emits. No one knows this better than the Marjorie and Billy Finn, a married couple who live right in front of the sprawling complex. The constant hum is like a jet engine, Billy Finn [told *MLive*](). Using his own decibel meter in a [video]() taken by the newspaper, he measures the noise levels from his porch, which hover around 60 decibels. That's roughly the equivalent of a noisy dishwasher, except that sound is a constant presence everywhere outside. "It's like we're living in a prison in our own yard, in our own house," Marjorie Finn told the outlet, adding that she can even hear the hum while she tries to sleep at night. https://www.tiktok.com/@ayathetigress/video/7650601803972627726 Two other residents are suing the data center, Hyperscale Data, saying that their homes are being "physically invaded" by the "excessive noise" from its facility, *MLive* reported. (The Finns were approached to join the lawsuit but declined.) It doesn't matter if you close the windows or turn up the TV — you'll hear its constant screeching anyway, the suit alleges. It also accuses Hyperscale Data of failing to implement adequate soundproofing measures, like the concrete walls that surround highways in residential areas. According to Billy Finn, the noise is actually getting louder. He's been tracking the decibel levels on Louise Avenue since 2022, when Hyperscale Data began operating. Back then, the sound level was around 52 decibels. Today, they're typically around 61 decibels, and sometimes go as high as 78 decibels, he told the paper. Inside his house, it goes down to 39 decibels, which is about the level of a quiet office or library, according to the American Academy of Audiology. But it jumps to 62 decibels when he opens the door, sounding a bit like a passenger jet taxiing on the runway in the distance. "It's \[like\] a constant major city street where you have a lot of vehicle traffic," Billy Finn said. Noise pollution [isn't an uncommon complaint about data centers](). The Nashville Zoo in Tennessee warned that the construction of a nearby data center could harm the animals living in captivity. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute claims [that they emit at ultra-low frequencies]() that can possibly induce a range of symptoms over time such as anxiety, nausea, though the science on this is iffy. Sixty-two decibels won't damage the ears, but over time it can spike your stress levels and has even been linked with cardiac problems, according to Kim Kragt, lead audiologist for Bronson Hospital. "Even at a lower level, if it wasn't doing damage to your ears, it is damaging your overall health and well-being," Kragt told the newspaper, adding that because the data center's hum is "unnatural," it might be harder to adjust to. The Finns feel trapped. They say fewer friends and family visit because of the noise, and they're worried that it's also driven down the value of their home. "They've stolen something from us," Marjorie said. "It feels like an immense loss." **More on data centers:** [*Massive Data Center Cooks Nearby Residents Alive Amidst Deadly Heatwave*]() ## Author At Futurism, my work has often centered on bringing a sense of clarity and insight to complex topics ranging from the regulation of emerging technologies to the esoteric ideologies of Silicon Valley executives, while striving not to lose the poetic sense of awe inspired by often-obscure fields like astrophysics and quantum computing. I broke the story of CNET using AI to produce articles that turned out to be riddled with factual errors and plagiarism — a dam-breaking inflection point, as I've reported, that's inspired copycats and endless discourse while beguiling stakeholders ranging from tech giants to purveyors of spam around the web. My work at Futurism has been cited by publications including CBS News, the Los Angeles Times, Vice, Gizmodo, Engadget, the Verge, and Vanity Fair. I grew up in locales ranging from India to China, and now live in the exotic suburbs of Virginia. In my free time, I'm an avid reader of weird sci-fi literature, an aficionado of East Asian cinema, and, regrettably, a relapsed gamer. Allegedly, I’m working on a debut novel, currently untitled. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()