Perhaps I just entered the discussion at the wrong time. I do believe you can still write an effect paper regardless of whether someone else runs with your idea or not.

On a more constructive note, have you contacted any tinnitus research centers such as http://www.ata.org/about_tinnitus/? Ear tones are a form of tinnitus. Learning about the condition could be quite valuable.

For example, I have tinnitus induced by head trauma and cochlea damage. Some tinnitus is induced by tumors, neck injuries, medications or several other causes. We know earthquakes at least generate low frequency waves in the earth. When I was in the Northridge quake in 1994, I noticed it also induced a pea green light in the sky and some horrific sound waves.

It is known that all diseases, tumors, body organs, and anything in the universe has a primary frequency. If it turns out that the primary frequency of a certain type of tinnitus is equal to, or a harmonic of earthquake frequencies, then it seems possible that certain individuals could literally hear the approach of an earthquake.

I've read stories of dentists using substances for tooth fillings that actually oscillated at radio frequencies and the patient could literally hear the radio broadcast through bone conduction. The same principles should apply to ear tones.

Perhaps certain blind people can SEE earthquake signals? Perhaps animals with different chemical and biological makeups can perceive earthquakes using these principles? Certain animals have a greater affinity for perceiving earthquakes than others. What organ in these animals is similar to the condition of human tinnitus that can hear earthquakes?

Since you know that certain forms of tinnitus can hear earthquake signals, why don't you hunt for the frequency of your tinnitus? Perhaps a solid state receiver could be built that receives the same frequency or combination of frequencies? If you have a wavelength that travels at 37 miles per second, why not build a receiver to that frequency and test it? Build a tuning circuit to give room for adjustment.

These are the methods I would pursue. I wouldn't be concerned whether someone beat me to the punch though. It's the science we are after, not the glory. I seriously doubt that EDG's work will have any negative effect on your work, even if he pursues things from a different set of assumptions.

Dave