Published on 12, July, 2020
I have tinnitus since my childhood since I ever remember, but I was sure my whole life that it’s normal and everyone has it. It’s regular high pitch constant sound, quiet but often overwhelming. Additionally there is a low frequency irregular hum (does not follow my heartbeat). When I cover my ears, the hum disappears while the high pitch noise remains in my head. I hear the hum only indoors and only in silence like in the night. Recently I found out about tinnitus and heard a video with simulations of different types of it, I found the one that I have. So I’m concerned now, if what I hear (the hum) is electricity? Several years ago I had a hearing test and it showed I heard from 5Hz and the doctor mentioned something that it’s not normal, something about Hyperacusis and that I should go test myself etc I don’t remember exactly I was just happy that I hear good. I was concerned about my hearing because there were and of course still are situations that I don’t react when being called. When reading a book or anything else that swallows my attention. I also often ask “what?” When someone talks to me, but not because I don’t hear it’s because I can’t catch it all at once I need them to repeat so I can process it. My “Linux “ works slower. I’m wondering if I’m going crazy. Any thoughts or experiences will be appreciated.
Mains hum is quite common. If present it will be at 50Hz (UK) or 60Hz in some other counties, well within even normal hearing range. If the low pitched noise you’re hearing disappears when you cover or block your ears then it’s external and probably being emitted by a piece of equipment locally. This could be hard to locate since it could even be inside a wall cavity. With a bit of patience you should be able to track it down. It’s possible that it’s external to your property, such as a noisy transformer in a substation or cabinet close to where you live. If you can find the source you might be able to do something about it.
The high pitched tinnitus is, alas, yours and yours to keep. Many people have it to some degree, as do I, and there’s not much you can do about it other than to try not to focus on it. Easier said than done for us autists. You’re not going mad.
Thank you for your answer. Yes, exactly I concentrate on these sounds - my tinnitus and the hum, there is also breath of my husband and daughter and wind or rain outside etc. it often makes it hard to fall asleep. I found very soft ear plugs but there is one problem- if I sleep with them and wear them long during the day then I have itching in my ears and I think the tinnitus gets stronger. About the electric hum I have no time or power to trace it it may be something in the walls… there is no transformer nearby that I would know about.
Theres a lamp in the living room that hums, I want rid of it, but its Mums and she dosen't want rid of it, I don't hear it with the tv on so I can mostly ignore it.
I love the sound of the wind and the rain, I love the feeling of being safe in bed, feeling the house protecting me.
It sounds like you are describing the old standard UK 22mm "bayonet" type with the two contacts on the bottom, where you have to turn it untill it sinks partway, then push it in and turn a bit more, AKA "Faff".
IF you can be bothered with the faff, it'd be inetrsting to know what's written on it... My "unprofessional concern" about your lamp is increasing as this unfolds, not decreasing.
It's just a normal lamp with a fat bulb that dosen't screw in, but has to be faffed with, it does have a new bulb.
TheCatWoman said:Theres a lamp in the living room that hums, I want rid of it, but its Mums and she dosen't want rid of it
Does the lamp have a normal light bulb in it? It may be worth changing it to an LED one if it does.
If it has a rectangualr box with it (normally used to change the mains voltage for special bulbs in it) then you are stuck I'm afraid - it will be the box that hums.You could try wrapping it in a rubber mat to see if that helps but you will need to monitor it for a while to check it isn't getting too hot (too hot to hold = too hot).
An older gentleman when I told him my diagnosis replied, "Ah, That's what we used to call sensitive".
I have a hypothesis that we allocate more brain power or neurons or whatever to sensory "processing", and sometimes too much which then compromises our abilty to "think".
It's really hard to answer that question sensibly without being able to look at the fitting in question!
I was an early adopter of LED lamps, I have strip lights, panels, and single bulb fittings in LED and NONE of them make any noise that I can hear, but your ears should be quite a bit better than mine.
If you have an electrician come to your house to do work, I'd defintely get him to take a look and listen, just to be reassured.
The only lamps that I'd expect to be audible because of teh way they are made is older style flourescent strip lights and that light of my dad's I described.
LED lights and newer style flurescent tubes use "switched mode" technolgy power packs (same tech as used in laptop power packs which defintely should not hum but there might be a very faint hissing or high pitched sound.
The "dangerous" electrical sound is a fizzing sound like a firework fuse makes which has an overlay of your basic 50 or 60 hertz electrical hum, I've only heard it twice, but both tmes it was a dangerous, pre-fire condition.
But I stand by (and clarify) my original statement; Good quality, well fitted modern lighting should be silent for the vast majority of people, because of the "new" way that we do transformers nowadays.
Thanks I Sperg, this is why I want to get rid of the lamp, but I'm the only one who can who can hear it and so I get looked at like I'm about to sprout a second head when I say about it. The bulb is a newer type and not the old ones. I didn't really understand the rest of your post. I do have problems lights, your average nasty flourescent overhead light I can't use a computer with or watch telly as I can see the screen flicker. My hearing is now normal, thanks to age related hearing loss, but it was off the charts before, in my 30's I thought I was losing my hearing and the GP arranged a test at the hospital and they said if I was noticing a loss then I must have had ears like a bat, which confirmed a previous hearing test. I don't just hear sound I feel it too, is this an Autistic thing?
It’s interesting. I have led light in the kitchen. I hear it even if there are other things going on. It’s only me hearing it. Does it mean that it’s dangerous? It’s a quiet buzz.