"The HUM", a persistent Low Frequency Noise

I don't know, but it seems that the way technology like those you mention, that are available today could cause problems.

We are aware of sound waves being used to intentionally damage hearing/brain use, etc. in some hostile settings.

Let us all know if you learn more!

Yes, Hostile attack. Could explain something.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!