Connect
"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.......
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.
Connect
just read nosh article dtd 2014 on best sound level app for smartphones. says apple has best software (2014) ,& best app for smartphone is SPLNFFT. anyone know of more current data ?
also, article says external mic improves accuracy . anyone know of cheap/accurate external mic that fits current apple phones?
If you can take time to go back over the comments in this discussion, you'll find several comments on this type of tinnitus sound. I have sensorineural hearing loss in both ears and use a hearing aid and a cochear implant. Often I feel as if there's a motor of some kind on in the basement. It's easy to ignore, but it's there. Tinnitus affects people in many different ways, this being one of them.
Are you able to ignore it?
I've had this issue for what seems a few decades. Also swishing in ears under exercise. Had a bit of vertigo over the years and dizziness is common. Lo and behold I recently went to get my ears cleaned and they were both totally blocked with wax. As hard as concrete. I've been a big ear plugs user to try and get rid of the low frequency rubbles. Took two visits to get them suctioned out and now I can hear an an ant fart. Low end in music through headphones has lost its severity or "ooooomph" too so I'm thinking the blockages were tight upto my ear drums and acting not just as a conductor and amplifier of low frequency but also adding pressure to capillaries in that region.
Life changing. Go get your ears checked.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI'm curious. Over these decades, I assume you have had appointments for annual physical exams.
Did your doctor ever notice the wax build up in your ears?
Did you ever tell your medical provider that you were having the issue with 'swishing' (tinnitus)?
I won't bore you with more personal issues of health but this is yet another oversight by my GP's over the years. I've visited with vertigo and dizzy spells as well as the swooshing noises and all they have done is prescribe medications for infection and allergies.- even after looking into my ears! Hence why I recommend a visit to a clinic that specialises in removing wax or asking GP to directly look for obstruction. I don't have any trust in modern 'prescription' based medicine anymore.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you for the response. I hear you loud and clear. Some of these things are so basic, but they don't get done. Cerumen (ear wax) can be a huge problem. I once was told at my audiology center that they could not remove it because 'it wasn't covered by my insurance' What?
In reality though, your GPs should have suggested that you see an audiologist. Shame on them.
Glad you got it done. And, I'm guessing that it's something you will have to do on a regular basis.
Thank you for sharing this. People need to hear about these experiences. I sincerely hope that you will regain trust in your providers.
Omg I have it and it drives me a little crazy. I’m glad it’s not a horrible sound, but my home, that used to be so quiet and silent when I slept, started the HUM about 3 months ago. I can occasionally hear it at other places too but never outside. Louder in some parts of the house. I’ve turned off all of the electricity and still hear it. I miss the quiet
I can’t ignore it and I had my hearing and ears checked and they are perfect 😬
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYou are lucky to have 'perfect hearing'. This could still be tinnitus related as tinnitus doesn't always come with hearing loss. Unfortunately, tinnitus is still a mystery to researchers, but they are working on it. (And have been for years!)
It can be caused by stress, and of course it causes stress. Is typical stress management something you practice?
I have been hearing a low frequency hum for about 6 months now, off and on. There is no specific pattern to it, just a continuous stream of short and long deep resonating hums. It's not just that I hear it, I feel it in my head as a vibration. It is worse when I am underneath our house (large open area underneath for gathering) and worse in the one fully enclosed room that we have that is also at ground level. But I hear it in our forest as well. I have never been able to detect exactly which direction it is coming from until a few days ago. The sound was definitely louder towards our small mountain...basically when I am facing a higher ground level. I have been assuming that is a well driller or earth mover some distance away that has been vibrating/humming in my head. I live in a thick forest in Costa Rica. I am surrounded by nature. The hum is not any noise from us or our immediate neighbors (kilometers away in either direction). We do not have cell service or internet for about a kilometer away. I was still under the assumption that it was some type of drilling or excavation work until I came to the city last night. The hum is very strong here. My husband can't hear it here or at home due to his severe tinnitus.
As I write this it occurs to me that the direction of our hill, where I feel it is stronger, is also the same direction as the main (dirt) road. There has been fiber optic cable installed on the main road within the last year. And now I also remember that our only neighbor that has internet is only about 1/2 kilometer away through that same forest. Hhhhmmm...I am not saying that this is the cause, but this is the only common denominator that I can find between the two places that I am hearing it. I feel like the hum has always been with me in the city, but there is so much other chaos here that it is difficult to notice. Now that I have heard the noise in my quiet and peaceful home, I am more aware of it. I usually have to "flip a switch" when I come to the city so as not to be overwhelmed. Now I am paying better attention to the hum...as tiring as that is.
I do not feel this is any type of tinnitus as there is a definite vibration to the humming. However, I do have an old (fairly severe) neck injury that I would not rule out as being the culprit. I will keep experimenting and observing with multiple types of situations. While I may be defined as "crazy" in most circles I assure all who are reading that my sanity is far more stable than most people that I meet. I am extremely observant (when I don't "flip a switch" in order to preserve my sanity) and I learn from my observations. If someone else has more "crazy" observations to add, please speak up.
What is causing the humming? I have other theories....
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction