Post by tombrown421 on Dec 18, 2004 14:54:41 GMT -5
I'm trying to discover the source of the low, steady LOUD hum which started in my right ear about a year ago. I've had high frequency tinnitus for years, had Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, and it doesn't bother me much now. But the low hum doesn't seem like "regular" tinnitus, and it has recently (and maddeningly) begun to alternate with a med-frequency stuttering tone, also very loud.
Been to the University Medical Center, had every hearing/ear test possible, and came away with a DX of no Meniere's, no fluid problems, negative MRI, nothing except some hearing loss. The neuro-otologist was at a loss to explain the low hum.
I also have some kind of fluttering in my left ear which coincides with the alternating mid-low frequency sounds in my right ear (?!). The neuro-otologist suggested the fluttering was a middle ear problem, not related to the noises.
When all this began, and still sometimes, if I lie on my left side for a time, I hear the stead hum begin to "shift" to my left ear, begin to stutter, and then stop altogether. Of course, when I get up again, it comes back, sometimes beginning in the left ear and shifting to the right.
I also have some sound distortion, low rumbling, crackling noises caused by cars, etc., but my own voice is normal. Again, the neuro-otologist was not especially helpful, saying, "yes, it's sound distortion."
Sorry to be so long-winded in the description, but I'm wondering what might be responsible for the low hum and, now, the medium-frequency stuttering drone? It's very difficult to get used to these because they're so loud.
My tinnitus audiologist basically said, "get used to it," which of course I may have to do, but some things are harder to get used to than others!
1. Anybody else have sounds like these?
2. I know there are several types of myoclonus, but by definition, "spasms" would seem to rule out a "steady" sound.
3. Could it be TMJ (maybe someone here has experienced these kind of noises with TMJ)?
4. Could it be some other muscles being strained (shoulder, neck?)? But again, if muscles "spasm" it would seem to rule out a steady tone.
Thanks to anyone who gets through this long post, and I appreciate any suggestions about what these noises might be.
Tom
Been to the University Medical Center, had every hearing/ear test possible, and came away with a DX of no Meniere's, no fluid problems, negative MRI, nothing except some hearing loss. The neuro-otologist was at a loss to explain the low hum.
I also have some kind of fluttering in my left ear which coincides with the alternating mid-low frequency sounds in my right ear (?!). The neuro-otologist suggested the fluttering was a middle ear problem, not related to the noises.
When all this began, and still sometimes, if I lie on my left side for a time, I hear the stead hum begin to "shift" to my left ear, begin to stutter, and then stop altogether. Of course, when I get up again, it comes back, sometimes beginning in the left ear and shifting to the right.
I also have some sound distortion, low rumbling, crackling noises caused by cars, etc., but my own voice is normal. Again, the neuro-otologist was not especially helpful, saying, "yes, it's sound distortion."
Sorry to be so long-winded in the description, but I'm wondering what might be responsible for the low hum and, now, the medium-frequency stuttering drone? It's very difficult to get used to these because they're so loud.
My tinnitus audiologist basically said, "get used to it," which of course I may have to do, but some things are harder to get used to than others!
1. Anybody else have sounds like these?
2. I know there are several types of myoclonus, but by definition, "spasms" would seem to rule out a "steady" sound.
3. Could it be TMJ (maybe someone here has experienced these kind of noises with TMJ)?
4. Could it be some other muscles being strained (shoulder, neck?)? But again, if muscles "spasm" it would seem to rule out a steady tone.
Thanks to anyone who gets through this long post, and I appreciate any suggestions about what these noises might be.
Tom