Is It Tinnitus? Low Hum — I'm Very Worried

[unknownpleasures]

Firstly, hello, as this is my first post.

Secondly, I am very worried by some symptoms I currently have and after reading the forum I decided to join.

At present I am suffering from a low hum in my left ear. It is as if someone has left a car running outside. The strange thing is that when I close this ear off I cannot hear the hum.

A week and a half ago I started to suffer a feeling of feeling of fullness in my left ear and sound was muffled. I went to the doctors and straight away I was told it was impacted ear wax.

I was told to use olive oil drops for a week and go in to have my ears irrigated. I did the olive oil drops for about four days and noticed a low hum after day four. I got some Otex ear drops to help shift some of the was before my irrigation as it felt so uncomfortable. I only used these drops for two days and continued to use the olive oil.

The hum when away and on Monday I had my ears clean. A nice big bit of wax came out and things felt much better. The next day the ear felt muffled again and I went back but the doctor said all looked fine.

Now for the last three days I have this low hum in my left hear but also feels like it's in my head. I've turned the electric supply off and nothing seems to rid me of it except closing the ear off or putting headphones on with music playing.

Does anyone relate to this? Do think it's tinnitus? My wife says she hears a low hum but now as loud as me which maybe thinks maybe my ears are too clean now and clear. I have also noticed that the ear is picking up less bass than my right when listening to music.

I have a hearing test booked for this Monday but I'm in a state of despair right now and having very dark thoughts and really need some advice etc.

I also suffer from anxiety and have been very stressed lately and wondered as have read online that anxiety can cause a buzzing in your head.

Sorry for such a long post but I needed to get this off my chest.

 

[Rb86]

Don't be alarmed. In fact many here suffer your exact symptoms, myself included.

That aspect has come and gone. Mine is especially sensitive to low frequencies now as well.

This may take some weeks to clear up, but you have a good prognosis being that it was from wax buildup.

Stay positive, do NOT use headphones for music, protect your ears from loud noise with ear plugs and give it time to heal.

 

[unknownpleasures]

Don't be alarmed. In fact many here suffer your exact symptoms, myself included.

That aspect has come and gone. Mine is especially sensitive to low frequencies now as well.

This may take some weeks to clear up, but you have a good prognosis being that it was from wax buildup.

Stay positive, do NOT use headphones for music, protect your ears from loud noise with ear plugs and give it time to heal.

Thank you so much. This has made me feel a little better. My only issue is that I am very sensitive to noise and use earphones to block out external noise even though not loud. Even as I type I have headphones in to now also help with the low hum.

I'm so hoping this passes.

Thank you so much again and looking forward to seeing what others think of my situation.

 

[Rb86]

The newfound sensitivity to noises/sounds is called hyperacusis. I had this as well at the onset.

So you're going to want to wear 32 dB foam earplugs you can get from the drugstore or proper ear muffs from the hardware store. Matter of fact I wear both simultaneously when mowing the lawn now.

For every day noises that are safe (sink running, toilet flush, bag crinkling, etc) you're going to want to allow your ears to get re-aquainted with them slowly but surely. This can take weeks or months depending on the severity of one's hyperacusis. Being that you didn't have a loud bang or years of noise trauma (playing in bands, working construction, etc) you should heal on the quicker side. Still might take weeks.

If you over protect, that can be bad as well. (Wearing plugs for normal/low volume tv, driving with the windows up, etc). Your ears are just in a hyper sensitive state and need to adjust.

You're going to be okay. It's going to be good days and bad days. Sometimes more bad than good for the first couple weeks or so.

Everyone's experience is different - you can take that info as fact. Just be patient, eat well, and sleep well. Some use sleep aids like white noise, and or benadryl. Good luck.

 

[JohnFox]

It sounds like your left ear was plugged with ear wax for quite a while. It's likely that your ear, now completely cleared out, is taking awhile to adjust to the new non filtered sound waves coming in. My feeling is that you will in time get relief.

 

[unknownpleasures]

The newfound sensitivity to noises/sounds is called hyperacusis. I had this as well at the onset.

So you're going to want to wear 32 dB foam earplugs you can get from the drugstore or proper ear muffs from the hardware store. Matter of fact I wear both simultaneously when mowing the lawn now.

For every day noises that are safe (sink running, toilet flush, bag crinkling, etc) you're going to want to allow your ears to get re-aquainted with them slowly but surely. This can take weeks or months depending on the severity of one's hyperacusis. Being that you didn't have a loud bang or years of noise trauma (playing in bands, working construction, etc) you should heal on the quicker side. Still might take weeks.

If you over protect, that can be bad as well. (Wearing plugs for normal/low volume tv, driving with the windows up, etc). Your ears are just in a hyper sensitive state and need to adjust.

You're going to be okay. It's going to be good days and bad days. Sometimes more bad than good for the first couple weeks or so.

Everyone's experience is different - you can take that info as fact. Just be patient, eat well, and sleep well. Some use sleep aids like white noise, and or benadryl. Good luck.

Thank you so much. This has given me some hope when it was much needed. I think there may have been a buid up as for about 20 years I have used ear plugs on and off and it was only a few months ago that I stopped using them. Maybe all those years of pushing them in didn't help the wax in that ear.

I am hoping it is the adjustment that you mentioned. In all honesty, I have always had very sensitive hearing and hear stuff way before other people.


I am going to take a break from headphones whilst this is all going on as well.

Thanks again for you reassuring comments.

 

[unknownpleasures]

It sounds like your left ear was plugged with ear wax for quite a while. It's likely that your ear, now completely cleared out, is taking awhile to adjust to the new non filtered sound waves coming in. My feeling is that you will in time get relief.

I hope this is the case and seems very likely. Thank you so much as again, this post has helped me so much.

I was so desperate this week that I even bought some Fluticasone spray as heard this can help with ETD as thought this may be the issue,.

 

[unknownpleasures]

I am thinking of trying some Sudafed as well. Is this a bad idea or worth a go?

 

[unknownpleasures]

I take an SSRI and have seen there can be an interaction with Sudafed, so that is out of the question.

 

[coffee_girl]

Give yourself some time to heal, it is normal after getting ear wax removed that you are hearing new sounds. Give it about a month before you consider tinnitus.

 

[unknownpleasures]

Give yourself some time to heal, it is normal after getting ear wax removed that you are hearing new sounds. Give it about a month before you consider tinnitus.

Thanks so much. That does make a lot of sense. It's strange as yesterday the sound was totally gone and I've woken up this morning and it's back albeit not as loud as previously.

I have a hearing test booked for Tuesday so will also see what happens then.

The only things I did do yesterday was a nasal steam which I heard could help with ETD and I also didn't use the Pirinase nasal drops that I also read can help with any tube issues.

I was so happy yesterday and now have taken steps back which I need to not get me down.

 

[Gman]

Firstly, hello, as this is my first post.

Secondly, I am very worried by some symptoms I currently have and after reading the forum I decided to join.

At present I am suffering from a low hum in my left ear. It is as if someone has left a car running outside. The strange thing is that when I close this ear off I cannot hear the hum.

A week and a half ago I started to suffer a feeling of feeling of fullness in my left ear and sound was muffled. I went to the doctors and straight away I was told it was impacted ear wax.

I was told to use olive oil drops for a week and go in to have my ears irrigated. I did the olive oil drops for about four days and noticed a low hum after day four. I got some Otex ear drops to help shift some of the was before my irrigation as it felt so uncomfortable. I only used these drops for two days and continued to use the olive oil.

The hum when away and on Monday I had my ears clean. A nice big bit of wax came out and things felt much better. The next day the ear felt muffled again and I went back but the doctor said all looked fine.

Now for the last three days I have this low hum in my left hear but also feels like it's in my head. I've turned the electric supply off and nothing seems to rid me of it except closing the ear off or putting headphones on with music playing.

Does anyone relate to this? Do think it's tinnitus? My wife says she hears a low hum but now as loud as me which maybe thinks maybe my ears are too clean now and clear. I have also noticed that the ear is picking up less bass than my right when listening to music.

I have a hearing test booked for this Monday but I'm in a state of despair right now and having very dark thoughts and really need some advice etc.

I also suffer from anxiety and have been very stressed lately and wondered as have read online that anxiety can cause a buzzing in your head.

Sorry for such a long post but I needed to get this off my chest.

Vibration of one of the middle ear muscles (most likely tensor tympani) can cause a low hum. If you wobble your head and it stops momentarily then it's likely to be the reason. It can be very annoying until you get used to it but not harmful. It can go away if you're lucky.

Out of interest, do you have any neck or jaw issues?

 

[unknownpleasures]

Vibration of one of the middle ear muscles (most likely tensor tympani) can cause a low hum. If you wobble your head and it stops momentarily then it's likely to be the reason. It can be very annoying until you get used to it but not harmful. It can go away if you're lucky.

Out of interest, do you have any neck or jaw issues?

Hi there and many thanks for your reply.

No neck or jaw issues that I know of. Have been under a lot of stress lately so may be to do with that.

Seems coincidental that it came on when using olive oil drops to soften wax, then went and came back once wax was removed.

Due to anxiety I was also popping my ears a lot which I can without holding my nose. I think doing this was definitely related to stress.

 

[Gman]

Hi there and many thanks for your reply.

No neck or jaw issues that I know of. Have been under a lot of stress lately so may be to do with that.

Seems coincidental that it came on when using olive oil drops to soften wax, then went and came back once wax was removed.

Due to anxiety I was also popping my ears a lot which I can without holding my nose. I think doing this was definitely related to stress.

Does head wobbling cause it to stop momentarily?

 

[GregCA]

Does anyone relate to this? Do think it's tinnitus?

Technically, yes, if you hear something that doesn't have an external source, then it is called Tinnitus.

I also suffer from anxiety and have been very stressed lately and wondered as have read online that anxiety can cause a buzzing in your head.

I've never read any scientific paper showing causality between stress and tinnitus. People claim all kinds of things online.

 

[Lane]

I take an SSRI ,,,,,, I have always had very sensitive hearing and hear stuff way before other people.

Hi @unknownpleasures -- How's it going at the moment? -- I think it's possible this SSRI could be part of your tinnitus picture. The earwax buildup and headphone use may have combined with the SSRI to eventually tip you into your current tinnitus.

Did the onset of your hearing sensitivity [which might have long been a symptom of hyperacusis] by any chance coincide with your starting to take the SSRI? -- At a minimum, I'd suggest you do a quick google search on the SSRI you're taking and tinnitus.

I hope you're doing better... All the Best...

 

[unknownpleasures]

Does head wobbling cause it to stop momentarily?

Hi. I am at work at present but I am sure when I was at home at the weekend and shook my head from side to side it stopped. I am not worried this is a bad sign. Will try again later when at home in the quiet.

 

[unknownpleasures]

Technically, yes, if you hear something that doesn't have an external source, then it is called Tinnitus.



I've never read any scientific paper showing causality between stress and tinnitus. People claim all kinds of things online.

Thanks for your response. I have my hearing test tomorrow and just want it to hurry up to see if they can pick up on anything.

 

[unknownpleasures]

Hi @unknownpleasures -- How's it going at the moment? -- I think it's possible this SSRI could be part of your tinnitus picture. The earwax buildup and headphone use may have combined with the SSRI to eventually tip you into your current tinnitus.

Did the onset of your hearing sensitivity [which might have long been a symptom of hyperacusis] by any chance coincide with your starting to take the SSRI? -- At a minimum, I'd suggest you do a quick google search on the SSRI you're taking and tinnitus.

I hope you're doing better... All the Best...

Hi Lana, thanks so much for your response. I hope you are well.

I'm not great if I am going to be honest. I have been very depressed and stressed, plus having some very dark thoughts. Sorry for the honesty but needed to get this off my chest. I've drunk more alcohol over the weekend than I normally do and to be honest I do drink a small amount each day anyway.

I cannot see any relation to the SSRI to be honest as I have been on it for around 15 years with no issues before.

 

[unknownpleasures]

Just to add, following my replies.

My ear feels a little tickly and itchy today. I am thinking of getting some bicarbonate of soda ear drops as I am convinced there is still something left on my eardrum. Do you think I should wait until after my hearing test tomorrow before trying anything else?

 

[GregCA]

Just to add, following my replies.

My ear feels a little tickly and itchy today. I am thinking of getting some bicarbonate of soda ear drops as I am convinced there is still something left on my eardrum. Do you think I should wait until after my hearing test tomorrow before trying anything else?

When I go to the audiologist for my own hearing tests s/he typically does an otoscopic examination to determine if the ear canals are "clear". When s/he spots something unusual, s/he sends me to have wax removed with a doctor/nurse next door (in the same building) prior to doing the test. When that happens, I always ask for simple curetting, rather than micro-suction or irrigation etc.

Good luck!

 

[Gman]

Hi. I am at work at present but I am sure when I was at home at the weekend and shook my head from side to side it stopped. I am not worried this is a bad sign. Will try again later when at home in the quiet.

No, it's a good sign... kind of. It means it's something physical causing it, not sensorineural hearing loss. "Normal" T doesn't stop like that.

 

[unknownpleasures]

No, it's a good sign... kind of. It means it's something physical causing it, not sensorineural hearing loss. "Normal" T doesn't stop like that.

Thanks so much, I actually smiled for the first time today when I read this. I have my hearing test tomorrow, so hopefully they might pick something up that can be fixed. I also bought some tumeric and curcumin, as I generally suffer from inflammation IE gout and muscle aches.

 

[unknownpleasures]

When I go to the audiologist for my own hearing tests s/he typically does an otoscopic examination to determine if the ear canals are "clear". When s/he spots something unusual, s/he sends me to have wax removed with a doctor/nurse next door (in the same building) prior to doing the test. When that happens, I always ask for simple curetting, rather than micro-suction or irrigation etc.

Good luck!

Thanks so much. I'll report back after the test tomorrow.

 

[Gman]

Thanks so much, I actually smiled for the first time today when I read this. I have my hearing test tomorrow, so hopefully they might pick something up that can be fixed. I also bought some tumeric and curcumin, as I generally suffer from inflammation IE gout and muscle aches.

Good luck. Tell them about it cutting out when you wobble your head. Also talk to them about middle ear muscles or some kind of trigeminal nerve dysfunction (it innervates the tensor tympani) as a possible reason. It's a very unknown thing, but if it's a good practitioner they should at least be open minded. They only seem to know about middle ear myclonus and TTTS, not this associated objective hum.

I have taken curcumin in the past, but didn't seem to affect the hum.

 

[Karl28]

I've had this humming problem.

Turned out it was because of my Eustachian tubes.

I have patulous Eustachian tube where it's stuck open and gaining some weight helped and made it go away.

Get an ENT to do that camera down the nose thing to check your Eustachian tubes if there is a problem or not with them.

 

[Gman]

I've had this humming problem.

Turned out it was because of my Eustachian tubes.

I have patulous Eustachian tube where it's stuck open and gaining some weight helped and made it go away.

Get an ENT to do that camera down the nose thing to check your Eustachian tubes if there is a problem or not with them.

I once had another low hum going on and used this nasal spray that made it go away almost immediately. Unfortunately this other similar hum isn't affected by the spray. Interesting you say about gaining weight. I have always been average weight but lost over 10% of my body weight a couple years ago unexpectedly and much around my face - look gaunt. It was the year I developed the hum. Still haven't been able to regain much but I just scrape in the normal BMI range. I did read somewhere that losing fat around the face can cause ET issues. But how to put face fat on?

 

[unknownpleasures]

Good luck. Tell them about it cutting out when you wobble your head. Also talk to them about middle ear muscles or some kind of trigeminal nerve dysfunction (it innervates the tensor tympani) as a possible reason. It's a very unknown thing, but if it's a good practitioner they should at least be open minded. They only seem to know about middle ear myclonus and TTTS, not this associated objective hum.

I have taken curcumin in the past but didn't seem to affect the hum.

Thanks Gman. I will bring this up at my appointment later. It's been around a week since I first noticed it and also had ear wax removed following this, so may still be settling down. The strange thing is that when I got home last night, I had no noise but it seems to start later in the evening and my wife has said she can hear a low hum but it's not too bothersome - I think for some reason I am picking up low frequencies more loudly than normal and maybe this is related to the ear being so clean but I may be wrong. I just want the day to hurry up and finish today so I can get to the appointment and see if anything can be seen by the professionals.

I will see how the Curcumin and Tumeric help as I know it probably won't be a miracle cure but can't see it doing any harm.

Another thing to add is that the hum seemed to get worse once I had a few glasses of gin - Or maybe just more noticeable. My wife is convinced that there is an appliance in the house that is causing the "buzz". I am even thinking it may be the smart meters we had installed not so long ago. I am driving myself crazy trying to work out what it is but have made a promise to myself to de-stress, get more sleep, take some supplements and eat better and see if that helps.

Sorry for the long post, it's early and my brain is rambling on haha.

 

[unknownpleasures]

I once had another low hum going on and used this nasal spray that made it go away almost immediately. Unfortunately this other similar hum isn't affected by the spray. Interesting you say about gaining weight. I have always been average weight but lost over 10% of my body weight a couple years ago unexpectedly and much around my face - look gaunt. It was the year I developed the hum. Still haven't been able to regain much but I just scrape in the normal BMI range. I did read somewhere that losing fat around the face can cause ET issues. But how to put face fat on?

Gman, what nasal spray did you use?

 

[unknownpleasures]

I've had this humming problem.

Turned out it was because of my Eustachian tubes.

I have patulous Eustachian tube where it's stuck open and gaining some weight helped and made it go away.

Get an ENT to do that camera down the nose thing to check your Eustachian tubes if there is a problem or not with them.

Thanks Karl. That is a good bit of advice