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"The HUM", a persistent Low Frequency Noise
As I sit, writing, my left ear is filled with the Classic Hum. Both my ears used to hear it, but after an ear infection in the right ear, leaving no measurable loss of hearing as determined by yearly workplace hearing tests, I no longer hear it in the right.
Certainly, others must hear it.
My wife, largely complete loss of hearing in one ear, high frequency Tinnitus in the other, and myself, excellent hearing as tested by yearly workplace physicals, started hearing the HUM on the same day, in the same location, over a decade ago. We hear it exactly the same in a number of places separated by hundreds of miles. We have experimented by asking if the other could hear the HUM, whether in certain parts of the structure we were in (home we rented in the Country, home we owned in the City) if it was louder, quieter, or audible at all, and had an extremely high degree of concurrence.
It appears to be a real world event, not Tinnitus, but IMHO, the American Medical Community is trying to pawn it off as Tinnitus. I've seen a few references to the National Institutes of Health claiming, on flimsy questionnaires sent out, that the HUM is, indeed, Tinnitus.
My wife heard it, simultaneous to me hearing it, for a decade, I still hear it, but if you mention this to doctors, they look at you like you have snakes coming out of your head. My ENT has been sick, so my appointment with him has been delayed, he's back to work but catching up. I see the ENT due to a cancerous thyroid he removed. But recently, my right ear has been acting up. It makes a spontaneous rumbling noise that I can voluntarily reproduce. But telling this to my family doctor, that I can voluntarily make this rumbling (not the HUM) and also mentioning the HUM, since I hear it in my left ear but the right ear is acting up, on both counts, I don't think he believes me, or understands. Yet, yesterday, I found an article that says that some people have voluntary control over a muscle attached to the Tympanic Membrane. That's my voluntarily induced rumbling (not HUM).
So, there are some forms of Tinnitus, "Pulsatile Tinnitus (PT) is a symptom that affects nearly five million Americans. The sensation of hearing a rhythmic noise, such as a heartbeat, swooshing or whooshing, from no external source, is, at best, a little unsettling; for many, the near constant sound exceeds annoyance and becomes completely debilitating" that can cause noises in your hearing, but decidedly is not the HUM. I'd be interested in reading what others have to say on these experiences, if you don't feel like outing yourself, you could always say a friend of yours.......
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2 ReactionsI went to two specialists. ENT and a vascular physician. They both said pulsatile tinnitus is found in a lot of people and often not a problem. They did a CT angiogram and no vascular problems.
The hum of tinnitus does not necessarily affect the ability to hear - you can have excellent hearing acuity and still have tinnitus, which can manifest as constant or variable tones, from a very bass-toned hum to a high-pitched squeal. Some people even describe pulsing (like a drum) or birdsongs
You mentioned experiencing it in Copenhagen - if you leave the area and it persists, it is likely in you ear, not environmental.
Whoever discovers the exact cause of and cure for tinnitus will be a very popular, and probably very wealthy, person because it plagues millions of people. Mine has existed for nearly 40 years, and I have learned to largely ignore it.
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2 ReactionsThank you for sharing. I am exploring what it can be. I do not notice it when on holiday. I started hearing it again on the second night back where we live again after returning for a week away. So it is very odd. Talking to a doctor and also a psychologist next as exploring all options and also how this can be fixed. Is it me? Or is it from an external source? Let’s see…
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1 ReactionYes! Exactly! And in my left ear too. I assumed I was hearing the air-conditioning unit in my building (in a previous city apartment as well as my current address). But I also blamed the man downstairs of using a Tens Unit that made a vibrating hum and that made my body vibrate internally like a cellphone. I have not told my doctors about the humming sound because I could have just as easily been diagnosed with some kind of neurosis if I had said something to the effect that: "my body vibrates internally like a cellphone, accompanied by a low hum"? The body tremors were worse than the humming noise and a Neurologist recently diagnosed me with ES (Essential Tremors), so the Propranolol I am now taking does help with the internal shakes. I'm glad of the help. I just don't understand the why and wherefore of the hum. I'm not sure whether to call this Tinnitus? If I'm watching TV I don't hear much at all and it seems to be at bedtime, when all is quiet. I have been awakened with a louder hum between 3:00 and 3:30a.m. and I called it the witching hour. It has been a rough time and this has all happened in the last four years, about the time Covid came along, although I'm not sure if there is any relevance to the timing, other than some stress.
been there done that. when hearing the sound , I place fingers in ears & low hum. do it several/many times. if the hum lessens or disappears (for short time) i think its tinitus/in your brain. if nothing changes could be environmental.
This is called Musical Ear Syndrome. Did you ever hear that phrase "I have a song in my head" well that is commonly called "An ear worm", a little different because MES usually does not go away, however also some similarities. I have helped people who hear the National Anthem (MES) and that is Musical Ear Syndrome. Cognitive Behavioral therapy, deep breathing and hearing aids can help.