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"The HUM", a persistent Low Frequency Noise
Hearing Loss | Last Active: Oct 23 6:07am | Replies (164)Comment receiving replies
This is my first time here -- so glad I stumbled across this group. I started having ear problems three months ago, and have seen an ENT doctor for my concerns. He thought it might be Ménière's disease, but didn't make a concrete diagnosis. I'm just here looking to commiserate with others who may be experiencing the same things.
It started with a perceived loss of low frequencies in my left ear. It was very obvious when listening to music as the speakers sounded out-of-phase. The loss comes and goes. The ear also developed a persistent hum at about 80 Hz -- the hum can vary depending on the position of my head. If I bend over for instance, it goes away. Or walking down stairs, it "mutes" briefly on every step.
Earlier this week, the right ear, which had been fine, experienced the same loss of lows. That lasted for two days and then returned to normal. However, that ear now occasionally sounds like it's underwater.
And now the latest thing: Listening to TV or radio, some voices sound robotic, like they're partially running through a device to disguise them. This is VERY weird and quite disconcerting.
Does anyone have experiences which line up with this? I've been advising my doctor of this symptoms, but so far he's not offering much in the way of solutions. Maybe there aren't any?
Thanks!
Replies to "This is my first time here -- so glad I stumbled across this group. I started..."
Hi Teresa,
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I am 67 and overall in good health. The only medication I take is 0.5mg Lisinopril for blood pressure control, and have been on that for many years with no ill effects. As far as I know, there is no history of this type of hearing loss in my family. I have several brothers in my same general age range, and they don’t have any issues.
When I first started having the low-frequency loss problem, I had a hearing test from an audiologist. The results were considered normal for my age -- just a moderate loss of high frequencies in both ears. If there's anything specific from the results you'd like to know, I'll gladly share them. I have the full report here.
The ENT looked in my ears with some type of large machine -- sorry to say I don't know what it's called. He said everything looked "perfect." He also performed a test using a tuning fork placed at various locations around my head. Again, no problems noted. He also performed a test where he had me lean back and checked for unusual activity in my eyes.
Right now I'm really concerned about this odd "pitch-shifting" effect I'm hearing on voices. It's kind of like voices are partially going through a hollow tube. I even hear it on my own voice, which is quite odd. I emailed the ENT about this earlier today, but have not yet received a reply.
That's the weirdest thing about all this -- it just keeps evolving. Never seems to be the same two days in a row.
Well, thanks again for your help -- it is appreciated!
It’s weird for sure. No viruses or infections that I’m aware of. Vaxxed and double-boosted for Covid-19 — never had any symptoms (unless this is one).
Thanks again. Will keep monitoring this thread for any other replies.
I would like to add 4 questions to the very helpful ones posed by Teresa.
Have you had Covid? Many people report hearing loss after the virus, sometimes months later.
Have you recently taken any antibiotics? There are several types that can affect your hearing, sometimes in very strange ways.
Do you regularly or occasionally work around loud sounds? If so, do you diligently wear effective ear protection?
Are you a musician or audiophile? Your highly specific descriptions of the ranges of loss lead me to think you know quite a bit about sound...
Your answers may help us lead you to a conclusion.
Sue
Hello Sue,
Thanks for helping to try to figure this out. Here are the answers to your questions:
No Covid that I’m aware of. Never had any symptoms. I haven’t had so much as a cold since 2018.
No recent antibiotics. Last time I took any was in February, after some oral surgery. At that time, I had two posts placed in my lower jaw for dental implants, The hearing issues started in late April.
I do not work around loud sounds. A few weeks ago though, when I started the vacuum cleaner, it seemed to hurt my right ear, and I felt like it caused me to lose more high frequencies in that ear, It hasn’t seemed the same since.
Audiophile? Yes! Sound has been a life-long passion, so that makes this all the more troubling.
If you have any further questions, I’m happy to answer,
Thanks a million for your help!
@videojanitor I'm a bit late to the party here so will try not to duplicate the help you've already received.
Most people with acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) experience high frequency hearing loss first. It can be the opposite, but that is far less common. In most instances, SNHL, even when it's mild, is permanent. It doesn't come back.
The fact your ENT mentioned Meniere's is worth looking into. Meniere's affects people in different ways, some of which you describe related to movement. It also comes and goes in most cases. Meniere's is not easily diagnosed or understood because the symptoms vary. Some people have problems with vertigo. Some find that changes in diet can help. Salt, sugar, alcohol may cause symptoms.
You can find some basic information about Meniere's Disease on the HLAA website. https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/hearing-loss-basics/menieres/
Did your ENT provide information about Meniere's other than mentioning it?
Connect
Hello @videojanitor and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm glad that you found us. This type of hearing loss is interesting. As you do not mention your age or any other health problems and/or medications you might be taking I'm going to assume that you must be in good health and have not added any new meds which might be interfering with your hearing. Is there a family history of this type of hearing problem?
I'm going to ask a moderator to also place this post in the Hearing Loss discussion group where you will meet with many others who may have some information to share with you such as. @julieo4, @sueinmn, and others.
If you would share more, what type of tests have been done by your ENT? Has your hearing been tested by an audiologist? If so, what did the hearing test show?