In Need of Help/Advice in Relation to Low-Frequency Tinnitus

[Joeymeatballs]

I've had tinnitus for a little over one year. Recently, I have developed a very low frequency tinnitus. My fan is decent for sound enrichment but not the best. Am really looking for coping strategies / masking resources / possible causes of the low frequency tinnitus.

In addition, I've had about 3 or 4 experiences of having ear pressure not be completely corrected after swallowing, especially on days I worked a lot. Wondering if maybe that is related.

 

[dpdx]

Have you done an Audiogram?
Have you done DPOAE (This can also rule out Middle ear diseases)
What caused your Noise Exposure? Concert? iPod?

 

[Gman]

Low frequency is not always sensorineural and can be due to middle ear muscles vibrating/being lame, like the tensor tympani. Your ear fullness indicates it could be this, because middle ear muscles can affect ear pressure as they can interfere with the correct functioning of the eustacian tubes.
I know this because I get it. I have a weird form of TTTS in which the muscle completely cramps up. Low freq humming is part of it. It's harmless supposedly.

 

[John CC]

My fan is decent for sound enrichment but not the best. Am really looking for coping strategies/ masking resources

Hello Joeymeatballs While I am relatively new to this world as well (less than 2 months in).

I was wondering if you have tried searching on the web for tinnitus sound therapy web sites. I listened to different music, some spoke to me, some didn't. I have it on during the day, and at night I take my laptop into my bedroom and play it overnight (some of the sites go for 8 to 10 hours).

If you look on the tinnitus talk forum home page, about half way down to the right you will see a bar titled Audio Player. You can click on it to get an idea about the different sounds used in tinnitus sound therapy. I have noticed that it is recommended by a number of people on this forum, and that when you play it at night, play it just below your own tinnitus.

Hope this helps, and best of luck.
JohnCC

 

[Joeymeatballs]

Low frequency is not always sensorineural and can be due to middle ear muscles vibrating/being lame, like the tensor tympani. Your ear fullness indicates it could be this, because middle ear muscles can affect ear pressure as they can interfere with the correct functioning of the eustacian tubes.
I know this because I get it. I have a weird form of TTTS in which the muscle completely cramps up. Low freq humming is part of it. It's harmless supposedly.

What do you use to mask the low humming? have you habituated to it?

 

[Joeymeatballs]

Have you done an Audiogram?
Have you done DPOAE (This can also rule out Middle ear diseases)
What caused your Noise Exposure? Concert? iPod?

Ive done an audiogram but not the other one. I set up an appointment with a specialist for 2 weeks and am going to have her test me for everything middle ear related because I also think that must be involved. The pressure imbalances were clearly caused by something.

 

[Gman]

What do you use to mask the low humming? have you habituated to it?

I don't do anything, so I guess I've habituated and often can be masked by background sounds. It's not always the same intensity either and sometimes it goes away when the muscle(s) eventually relax. It's quite independent from my normal T. Today it's a low constant hum, not pulsatile.

Not sure how severe yours is, but I find it easier to deal with than a typical high frequency T spike as I know that's sensorineural and can be pretty intrusive.

In the early days it was a lot louder. I was once walking in a rainforest with many insect sounds in the background and the low hum cut straight through. Thought I was hearing the sound of the earth. Ugh bad times.

Let me ask, if you wobble your head does it kind of cut out momentarily? That's what made me realise it was muscle related.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

Low frequency is not always sensorineural and can be due to middle ear muscles vibrating/being lame, like the tensor tympani. Your ear fullness indicates it could be this, because middle ear muscles can affect ear pressure as they can interfere with the correct functioning of the eustacian tubes.
I know this because I get it. I have a weird form of TTTS in which the muscle completely cramps up. Low freq humming is part of it. It's harmless supposedly.

Where did you get this information from??
Have you tried muscle relaxers?? I have this too and noticed that taking a small dose of muscle relaxers ( prescribed for neck pain) helps a little...wondering if I should take more? hmmm

@Joeymeatballs how are you doing these days?? Did the low drone/hum calmed down???

 

[Gman]

Where did you get this information from??
Have you tried muscle relaxers?? I have this too and noticed that taking a small dose of muscle relaxers ( prescribed for neck pain) helps a little...wondering if I should take more? hmmm

@Joeymeatballs how are you doing these days?? Did the low drone/hum calmed down???

My experience, which correlates to some research such as this:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5562182/

Clonazepam helped relax the muscles but I didn't want to take it more than very short term.

I also tried orphenadrine because I happened to have some on hand but it didn't really work or make me feel good, so stopped.

I just don't do anything anymore but it goes into remission more often after a year or so.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

but it goes into remission more often after a year or so.

I've had it for four years now and no remission ever. sigh

Did clonazepam helped calm the low drone/humming? Interesting.

Thanx for the link. I'll take a look at it.

Once...

 

[Gman]

I've had it for four years now and no remission ever. sigh

Did clonazepam helped calm the low drone/humming? Interesting.

Thanx for the link. I'll take a look at it.

Once...

Very sorry to hear that @OnceUponaTime. If you wobble your head side to side does it stop for a split second?

Clonazepam helped to relax the middle ear muscles which in turn made the sound go away for a while. But more and more it just shuts up for even days at a time and then comes back.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

If you wobble your head side to side does it stop for a split second?

No it doesn't. I was prescribed clonazepam but haven't tried it yet. Maybe I should.
Do you still have this low drone?
Its horrible.
Once

 

[Gman]

No it doesn't. I was prescribed clonazepam but haven't tried it yet. Maybe I should.
Do you still have this low drone?
Its horrible.
Once

Yes at the moment, but it isn't too bad and cuts out momentarily when I wobble my head.
Were you prescribed Clonazepam for the low drone? You could try it, but be careful not to take it too often.

 

[Edward A]

I have developed low-frequency, on-and-off tinnitus. I have found listening to this helps sometimes:

 

[OnceUponaTime]

Were you prescribed Clonazepam for the low drone? You could try it, but be careful not to take it too often.

Yes, for the low drone, but I have not tried it yet. My regular doctor prescribed it. I know @Michael Leigh says it helps him but takes it maybe once a month. Then another person here on this board said he has taken it for 3 years and still helps his head tinnitus. Go figure.

I'm physically exhausted with this low/drone head tinnitus. (sigh) The hiss, tea kettle dont help either.
But I am alive, my kids are healthy, my husband loves me.... They need me and I need them.
I will continue doing life one day at a time to the best of my ability. Tinnitus and all.
Once