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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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Hi I'm 50 and live in the UK, I first started hearing this noise during covid lockdown in 2020 when the cars and world stopped. I had the electricity board, gas, water, everybody out to the house to test to see where it was coming from. I could hear it indoors and sat in my car stationary on the driveway. It gave me insomnia , caused anxiety and headaches luckily I was off of work (furlowed) so I didn't have to worry about working and thinking the next day. I'd learned to live with it, and it faded in to the background. I could only hear it when I tried and then I could cut it out again.
It's been 5 years now and stupidly Friday night just gone I saw an article and did a test on it and now it's back!! It's kept me awake for two nights I feel anxious I have palpitations palpitations, headache and cannot sleep I have tried everything even a sleeping tablet last night (it didn't work) I could cry! The only thing that seems to help is wearing earbuds which is really uncomfortable with sound playing. I'm not sure how I stopped it last time I must have just become used to it. I really hope that happens again shortly, I cannot cope and as you say the doctors will look at me as if I am mad and what can they do? I also suffer tinnitus on and off in my left ear, I used to be cabin crew I think that's what caused tinnitus from the beginning. I have only come across one other person that can hear it he is also cabin crew. I can't let this sound take over my mind again I think it will break me.
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1 ReactionI must say I can hear it all over the UK not just at my home address. I went on holiday to Tunisia in September and couldn't hear it then.
The Hum might not be tinnitus, however there are two types of tinnitus related noises that are associated with my tinnitus. One sound is the type you can mask with the appropriate sound, the other is a tone, which in my experience cannot be masked. In my case this is assuming with a low toned rumble or hum. I consider both types of noises to be tinnitus produced.
Tinnitus is so frustrating, and it's a medical mystery. However, research is ongoing. Thankfully.
We know that exposure to noise whether in duration or sudden can trigger tinnitus. Therefore, we know that protecting our hearing is important. Sadly, people don't do that. They shoot guns, work in noisy environments without ear protection, attend rock concerts, operate chainsaws and other noisy equipment etc.
If YOU are susceptible to noise induce hearing loss which one rarely knows before it happens unless it's hereditary, protect your hearing! I don't know about the UK, but in the USA, employers must provide ear plugs to those who work in noisy settings. BUT, it's up to the individual to wear them. The responsibility lies on the individual. Get hearing protection and make sure it's of good quality.
I cannot emphasize the importance of stress management when it comes to anything that causes depression or sad feelings. We can help ourselves if we can manage stress effectively.
The Hearing Health Foundation is conducting significant research on tinnitus. Have you checked their website? http://www.hhf.org