MemberYes, I am still on the medication (Valsartan). It seems to work well, with no noticeable side effects.
Low Frequency Tinnitus
- Thread starter Rachel Murray
- Start date
spcshpsrshngb
Member
- Jul 22, 2022
- 5
- Tinnitus Since
- 06/2022
- Cause of Tinnitus
- probably noise induced (concert)
I have the exact same symptoms as you but on the left ear (80 Hz, varies with head position, easily masked by other low tones like fridge and ventilation). I got mine from a drone concert a bit more than two years ago; for the first few months, I was totally depressed. Now, I don't think about it as often, mostly because I keep myself busy, and there's always at least a bit of noise around me (even in my apartment, I can hear some ventilation from outside; I live in the center of a busy city). But at times like tonight, I find myself sitting in silence and hearing it blast really loud.
Reading your experiments does help a bit, especially the potential link between Eustachian tube inflammation and allergies/allergy medication...
My experience with low-frequency tinnitus (around 68Hz) began a little over two months ago, following a relapse of high-frequency tinnitus (13 kHz in the left ear, 2 kHz in the right) about six months ago.
It seems similar to what others have described; a low drone that sometimes varies in amplitude. Before this hum started, I may have been overprotecting my ears by using earplugs and noise-canceling AirPods, as my high-frequency tinnitus was accompanied by some hyperacusis. It's possible that this protection somehow contributed to the onset of the hum. I've since reduced my use of protection significantly, but the "devil's orchestra" persists.
The volume of the hum increases noticeably after driving, even after a short drive, and it can take 2-3 days to return to baseline. I've also noticed that deep bass sounds, such as car engine noise or distant sounds with low-frequency components (like festival speakers), seem louder than they used to. Shaking my head momentarily attenuates the hum, which others have also reported. The sensation of vibration seems stronger in my right ear, but the perception of the hum itself is indefinite.
My main concerns are:
It seems similar to what others have described; a low drone that sometimes varies in amplitude. Before this hum started, I may have been overprotecting my ears by using earplugs and noise-canceling AirPods, as my high-frequency tinnitus was accompanied by some hyperacusis. It's possible that this protection somehow contributed to the onset of the hum. I've since reduced my use of protection significantly, but the "devil's orchestra" persists.
The volume of the hum increases noticeably after driving, even after a short drive, and it can take 2-3 days to return to baseline. I've also noticed that deep bass sounds, such as car engine noise or distant sounds with low-frequency components (like festival speakers), seem louder than they used to. Shaking my head momentarily attenuates the hum, which others have also reported. The sensation of vibration seems stronger in my right ear, but the perception of the hum itself is indefinite.
My main concerns are:
- Further exposure to low-frequency stimuli might risk exacerbating the hum, potentially causing damage through some unknown mechanism.
- Protecting myself from low frequencies (e.g., avoiding driving) might reinforce a fear response, causing my auditory system to increase sensitivity to low frequencies and thus amplifying the hum.
Hi @Dr. Nick,
I'm really sorry to hear you're experiencing low-frequency tinnitus. I was one of the early responders to this thread, back in 2014, and I suffered from it for several years. I've always found the low sounds to be much more debilitating than the high ones. Thankfully, my low-frequency tinnitus and hyperacusis have mostly calmed down, although I do experience occasional flareups. Often, these flareups seem to be triggered by external noise, so I'm very careful to protect my ears. I'm not in the "you can protect yourself too much" camp, though I know some here are. I can only share what I believe has helped me.
Here's an example from my own recent experience: I went to a movie in August with a "modern" soundtrack, a loud, low, droning electronic sound that went on for two solid hours. I always wear earplugs in movies, and I had some in, but they weren't my custom-made ones. The next morning, I woke up with the worst case of hyperacusis I'd had in ages, along with a low drone in my head. I think the earplugs I was wearing didn't insulate well enough to prevent some damage. That episode lasted two weeks but, thankfully, gradually calmed down. I went to another movie a couple of weeks ago, but this time I wore my heavy-duty custom earplugs and had no problems.
When I'm dealing with hyperacusis, I wear my earplugs a lot, in movies, while driving, at the grocery store, you name it. If it's just tinnitus and the environment isn't overly loud, I wear hearing aids. I first got them in 2014 when I started experiencing low-frequency tinnitus because I literally couldn't hear over the sounds in my head. The tinnitus would drown out conversations, TV, music, everything. The hearing aids helped me get over that hurdle, and they still help, especially during flareups. It's always a balancing act, though, and I sometimes have to switch to earplugs quickly.
I'm glad you've found this forum, and I hope it's helpful to you!
Best of luck,
Della
I'm really sorry to hear you're experiencing low-frequency tinnitus. I was one of the early responders to this thread, back in 2014, and I suffered from it for several years. I've always found the low sounds to be much more debilitating than the high ones. Thankfully, my low-frequency tinnitus and hyperacusis have mostly calmed down, although I do experience occasional flareups. Often, these flareups seem to be triggered by external noise, so I'm very careful to protect my ears. I'm not in the "you can protect yourself too much" camp, though I know some here are. I can only share what I believe has helped me.
Here's an example from my own recent experience: I went to a movie in August with a "modern" soundtrack, a loud, low, droning electronic sound that went on for two solid hours. I always wear earplugs in movies, and I had some in, but they weren't my custom-made ones. The next morning, I woke up with the worst case of hyperacusis I'd had in ages, along with a low drone in my head. I think the earplugs I was wearing didn't insulate well enough to prevent some damage. That episode lasted two weeks but, thankfully, gradually calmed down. I went to another movie a couple of weeks ago, but this time I wore my heavy-duty custom earplugs and had no problems.
When I'm dealing with hyperacusis, I wear my earplugs a lot, in movies, while driving, at the grocery store, you name it. If it's just tinnitus and the environment isn't overly loud, I wear hearing aids. I first got them in 2014 when I started experiencing low-frequency tinnitus because I literally couldn't hear over the sounds in my head. The tinnitus would drown out conversations, TV, music, everything. The hearing aids helped me get over that hurdle, and they still help, especially during flareups. It's always a balancing act, though, and I sometimes have to switch to earplugs quickly.
I'm glad you've found this forum, and I hope it's helpful to you!
Best of luck,
Della
Many thanks, Della. I'm sorry to hear that you're still suffering from this after a decade. I've been doing the same as you—wearing ear protection in similar situations. Deep bass from speakers and the rumble from car suspension (especially over potholes) are particular challenges, as I understand that earplugs do little to reduce low frequencies. In fact, those deep sounds seem almost the same with or without earplugs, as bone conduction tends to dominate in those cases.
I'll experiment more with the AirPods. I believe Apple is set to release new hearing protection software modes later this month, and I'll let you know if they help.
Benjaminbb
Member
- Nov 25, 2020
- 279
- Tinnitus Since
- Nov 2020
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Likely long term noise exposure, combined w pandemic stress
Hey Dr Nick,
I understand your concerns. I felt the same way for quite a while, especially with sensitivity to bass sounds at first. However, over time, it didn't seem to get worse from bass exposure. These days, I'm no longer sensitive to it, and my tinnitus is often very low or even inaudible. Occasionally, bass sounds, like during your car ride, bring it back a little, but it's nowhere near the volume it used to be.
After about 18 months, it gradually started to fade, especially after some loud exposures where the residual inhibition lasted longer each time. When the tinnitus returned after a few days, it was at a lower level. That didn't happen during the first year, though, so I can't necessarily recommend exposing yourself to loud sounds. However, you might find that wearing earplugs less for everyday activities could help over time.
Regarding earplugs, it's interesting that you mentioned them. My tinnitus also started during a period when I was protecting my ears due to high tinnitus. I've had another friend say the same thing happened to them when they wore earplugs to sleep. It's hard to know for sure, but since we already have tinnitus and hyperacusis, that suggests some previous damage. If more people in similar situations report this, there might be a connection.
Thanks, Benjamin. It's interesting that your low-frequency tinnitus behaves like high-frequency tinnitus in that residual inhibition works, whereas my low-frequency tinnitus behaves in the opposite way—it gets stimulated by bass sounds. Once stimulated, it doesn't remain at a constant amplitude but varies, somewhat like a "lightsaber" from Star Wars, gradually fading over a few days. Residual inhibition works on my 2 kHz tinnitus, lasting about 20 seconds. I can't test it on my left ear's 13 kHz tinnitus since I can only hear up to about 11 kHz! However, the fact that my low-frequency tinnitus behaves differently is a major concern for me, to the point that I avoid car trips whenever possible for fear that repeated exposure could cause a permanently stimulated state.
As an experiment, I tried noise-cancelling AirPods again while driving a short distance yesterday. The low-frequency spike occurred and remains elevated today. As I suspected, there's little that can be done to attenuate low frequencies. I need to drive to get to work, so this is a major dilemma for me.
Nick
@Dr Nick, this may sound weird, but when my low-level tinnitus was at its worst, I would sometimes combine hearing protection. For example, I used heavy-duty custom earplugs along with protective headphones. It helped me, but I'm not sure about doing that while driving. It might be worth a try, though.
- Jun 16, 2023
- 128
- Tinnitus Since
- 06/2023
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Escitalopram/Stress/Ultra High Frequency Hearing Loss
I first experienced this about a month after developing tinnitus in my right ear. At the time, it was mostly intermittent, occurring after car rides, loud events, or at night. It felt like an 80 kHz drone moving back and forth in my head, eventually fading out like the idle of a distant car.
After my latest spike, damage, or whatever it is at this point, it has become more persistent. Now, I almost always notice it in quiet places and it is harder to mask. I generally do not hear it when I am up and moving, outside, in the car, when the AC or furnace is running, or while watching TV with minimal silence. Shaking my head no temporarily stops it, as does putting my finger in my ear.
It seems like it could be related to hyperacusis or reactive tinnitus since my sensitivity and reactivity to sound have also increased, though they have been improving slowly. Interestingly, I tend to notice it less when my high pitched tinnitus is worse. Another pattern I have observed is that it sometimes disappears for days after a loud event, not that I am suggesting anyone expose themselves to loud sounds.
After my latest spike, damage, or whatever it is at this point, it has become more persistent. Now, I almost always notice it in quiet places and it is harder to mask. I generally do not hear it when I am up and moving, outside, in the car, when the AC or furnace is running, or while watching TV with minimal silence. Shaking my head no temporarily stops it, as does putting my finger in my ear.
It seems like it could be related to hyperacusis or reactive tinnitus since my sensitivity and reactivity to sound have also increased, though they have been improving slowly. Interestingly, I tend to notice it less when my high pitched tinnitus is worse. Another pattern I have observed is that it sometimes disappears for days after a loud event, not that I am suggesting anyone expose themselves to loud sounds.
I think you are right because I have had reactive tinnitus for nine years, and on good days when I don't have a lot of static, I sometimes get a low-frequency hum. It lasts for an hour or two and then fizzles out.
It gets triggered by the sound of an electric toothbrush and one of my kitchen appliances. Sometimes, I also wake up at night to it, so some outside noise must be triggering it.
Like I said, I usually get it at the end of a good day or in the very early morning hours, but it's maskable and much better than the loud, nonstop static tinnitus.
I'm just glad to find out that others are hearing the generator-like sound too.
I just joined, but if it's so common and there's still no possible explanation for it, I might as well leave.
Like I said, I'm just thankful it isn't my imagination.
I just joined, but if it's so common and there's still no possible explanation for it, I might as well leave.
Like I said, I'm just thankful it isn't my imagination.
@sethben, yep, it's very common. I'm sitting here right now with a low droning in my head. I'm just glad it's not super loud today like it was last night. Take care, everyone.
I also have lower-frequency tinnitus. In fact, all my tinnitus sounds are below 2000 Hz. In my case, the sound is localized to one ear only. In my right ear, I have a 500–600 Hz pipe-like sound, which I believe is due to TMJ. In my left ear, I sometimes get a hum when I overprotect.
- Jun 16, 2023
- 128
- Tinnitus Since
- 06/2023
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Escitalopram/Stress/Ultra High Frequency Hearing Loss
When I first got tinnitus and described the low drone, I went to three different audiologists.
The first one said it must be energy building up in my ear and releasing as sound.
The second one admitted they had no idea, which I honestly respect.
The third one told me I was imagining it.
Hi,
I recently read your posts about the low pitch hum, and I'm really struggling with it. I was wondering if yours has improved at all.
Does yours come in bursts, like a hummm every few seconds, or is it constant? I've also noticed an increase when driving, even for short distances. I believe mine was caused by noise exposure, specifically seven hours of highway driving. The hum started about two days later.
Interestingly, I've taken oral steroids, and a 50 mg dose for two days will keep the hum away for about three days. Unfortunately, this isn't a long term solution.
Hi Jambo,
The hum has reduced, but it still bothers me, as it comes and goes. Sometimes it feels like a low-frequency beat that is almost constant. The car tends to amplify it, so I bought an electric car. However, most of the low-frequency energy comes from the interaction between the cabin and the suspension. Larger cars and SUVs tend to make it worse. I tried a quiet Jaguar I-Pace, but the deep bass was intolerable. I eventually settled on a small VW Golf, which has a higher resonance frequency. I now travel in it regularly.
Another reason the hum feels less significant is that my main tinnitus at 13 kHz has worsened over the past few months and now draws more of my attention. It is possible that my sensitivity to low bass sounds has developed due to three factors:
- I have noise-induced tinnitus.
- I regularly, and sometimes excessively, used ear protection.
- I used hearing protection during long drives.
Hi @Dr Nick,
Thank you so much for your response. It has been really difficult to find others who have the same "phenotype" of tinnitus, for lack of a better word.
I just had some follow-up questions for you, and I would really appreciate your input if possible.
1. Regarding your hum, you mentioned that it comes and goes. Do you mean there are times when it is completely undetectable? Or do you mean that it starts and stops every few seconds, ramping up and then back down? Mine tends to be the latter, which makes it very difficult to ignore since it is not consistent in its character.
2. When your hum is present, are you able to detect it outdoors? For example, while walking around a neighborhood?
3. Would you describe your hum as similar to a subwoofer in the distance? Does it have a certain vibrational component to it?
4. I noticed your username and was just wondering if you are a medical professional. I am currently struggling with this tinnitus to the point of considering dropping out of dental school. It is not due to noise exposure, as I have developed solutions for that. The main issue is my inability to concentrate when reading or studying. I was wondering if you have managed to have a successful career—whether or not in the medical field—despite having tinnitus. Hearing that would give me a great deal of hope.
5. You mentioned that driving exacerbates it. After driving, do you experience a distinct period of about 30 seconds to 2 minutes where you can actually hear an increase in the volume of the hum?
I am very sorry to hear that you are dealing with a worsening of your high-pitched tinnitus. I have had severe, unmaskable high-pitched tinnitus for about three years now. In a way, I feel the opposite of you, in the sense that I would consider an increase in the high-pitched tinnitus a fair trade if it meant eradicating this low-pitched hum. My high-pitched tinnitus has gradually increased over the years, and each time it has left me devastated. Somehow, I have been able to pick myself up and push through. I thought I was finally in the clear, and then this struck.
I truly hope that your ability to tune out the high-pitched tinnitus improves, and that it has less of an impact on your daily life. Thank you again for your time.
@Audiophile_bg, I was wondering if you have tried any other medications since developing low-frequency tinnitus. Gabapentin, maybe? Has anything helped or made your tinnitus worse?
Hi everyone, I experience both low- and high-frequency tinnitus. I'm glad to have found this forum, as I couldn't find much about low-frequency tinnitus through the usual searches and started to wonder if I was losing my mind. I've become fairly well habituated to the high frequency, and thankfully, I'd say it's mild overall. The hum, however, is much more bothersome. The one saving grace is that it can be masked well at night with some white noise.
It has been interesting reading through the comments here. I developed low-frequency tinnitus first, and I had been wearing earplugs for sleep for several years. I originally started using them because I was working night shifts, and they really helped me sleep during the day. I just continued using them even after switching back to day shifts because they worked so well. I hate to think this might be self-inflicted… but here we are.
The "finger in the ear" trick is interesting. It works for me too and completely stops the hum. That does seem to suggest there is something mechanical or physical going on in the ear that causes it. I was also on a course of antibiotics recently—Augmentin—and while I was taking it, the hum completely disappeared for a few days. It was bliss. But once the course ended, the hum came back.
Has anyone tried completely sealing off the affected ear with silicone swimming earplugs? It would be similar to how placing a finger in the ear stops the hum. I'm thinking of trying this, but since there's some uncertainty about whether earplug use may have contributed to this in the first place, I'm not sure if it's a good idea.
It has been interesting reading through the comments here. I developed low-frequency tinnitus first, and I had been wearing earplugs for sleep for several years. I originally started using them because I was working night shifts, and they really helped me sleep during the day. I just continued using them even after switching back to day shifts because they worked so well. I hate to think this might be self-inflicted… but here we are.
The "finger in the ear" trick is interesting. It works for me too and completely stops the hum. That does seem to suggest there is something mechanical or physical going on in the ear that causes it. I was also on a course of antibiotics recently—Augmentin—and while I was taking it, the hum completely disappeared for a few days. It was bliss. But once the course ended, the hum came back.
Has anyone tried completely sealing off the affected ear with silicone swimming earplugs? It would be similar to how placing a finger in the ear stops the hum. I'm thinking of trying this, but since there's some uncertainty about whether earplug use may have contributed to this in the first place, I'm not sure if it's a good idea.
Sorry to hear you are experiencing something similar. It is a tough situation, but I have read some stories from people who have managed to adapt to it. That gives me hope.
I would be kind to yourself regarding how it started. Mine likely began after a long drive. Many others report noise exposure as the cause. I doubt that using earplugs during sleep would have caused this.
The Augmentin is interesting. For me, even a small dose of Prednisone, 5 mg, will make the tinnitus disappear straight away. Maybe there is an inflammatory component. I wonder if anyone has had results with mild anti-inflammatories.
I am a dental student and have to protect my ears. I use custom earplugs rated at 25 dB. These have a tight seal, and I can confirm that they reduce the hum to a low level.
I am curious, is yours reactive? Does it get worse after a short drive, for about 30 seconds to a few minutes, and then go back down?
Wishing you the best. I am unfortunately still very much in the acute phase of this new worsening of tinnitus. I am sure others will have more input for you.
What does your low-pitched tinnitus sound like? Does it react to noise, such as when you are driving?
One sounds like very low church bells, and the other is a low, constant hum. They are reactive to a certain degree. The high-pitched sound is less reactive.
Hi all, I'm still here and struggling terribly with the hum. If anyone else still has it and has managed to overcome it and return to their normal life, I would really love to hear from you. This hum is slowly taking away everything I love and everything that is important to me. I just need some hope. Thank you.
I've had the hum or roaring as well, along with hearing loss. I've been hesitant to get an intratympanic injection, and oral steroids are awful, although they helped to some extent. What has helped minimize the hum in my case are three things: Benadryl at night, Vitamin D (2000 IU), and an extremely boring low-sodium diet.
When did you start experiencing the hum? Do you have cochlear hydrops, Ménière's disease, or AIED?
When did you start experiencing the hum? Do you have cochlear hydrops, Ménière's disease, or AIED?
I'm another hum sufferer following an ear infection two months ago.
It has an irregular rhythm but is constant. It gets worse when there is no ambient sound. Sometimes it becomes a steady hum, while at other times it pulses, though not in sync with my heartbeat. It measures around 100 to 150 Hz. It seems worse in certain rooms, yet almost silent in some quiet ones. I hate it. It feels much more intrusive than the high-frequency hiss I also experience.
I have a follow-up with the ENT next week. Should I ask to try any medications? Diuretics? My blood pressure is normal, and I have already had an MRI—still waiting for the results.
It has an irregular rhythm but is constant. It gets worse when there is no ambient sound. Sometimes it becomes a steady hum, while at other times it pulses, though not in sync with my heartbeat. It measures around 100 to 150 Hz. It seems worse in certain rooms, yet almost silent in some quiet ones. I hate it. It feels much more intrusive than the high-frequency hiss I also experience.
I have a follow-up with the ENT next week. Should I ask to try any medications? Diuretics? My blood pressure is normal, and I have already had an MRI—still waiting for the results.
The acute phase was rough. I barely left my house except to go to work or shop while I was going through it. Fortunately, it doesn't stop me from doing anything now. I live my life exactly the same as I did before.
I don't think my hum is reactive, just spectacularly random. As I type this now, I'm in a quiet room and it isn't there at all, but I know it will return soon. Sometimes, when I gently pop my left ear, it goes away for a while—but sometimes it doesn't. Eustachian tube involvement, maybe? Who knows.
Are you at least able to mask it at night with some white or brown noise? That completely removes it for me until I get up in the morning.
This sounds identical to mine, although I'm not sure about the frequency in hertz. I'd be interested to hear how your visit with the ENT went.
Interesting. I might try Benadryl and Vitamin D. I already follow a fairly low-sodium diet. I don't have any of the conditions you mentioned, at least not that I'm aware of.
ENT appointment was a waste of time. I did have an ear infection as the initial cause, and I was told, "It's likely nerve damage, try to manage the tinnitus, nothing else can be done." I asked about medications to try, but was more or less dismissed. I may try to get a second opinion, but to be honest, I feel pretty defeated at this point.
