Humming in my ears

In the last year or so, I've developed a humming in my ears, especially noticeable when I'm trying to fall asleep. I looked it up on WebMD.com and it sounds like Tinnitus. It's a very common thing (affecting 50 million in the U.S). I try to be strong and ignore this humming when I'm trying to fall asleep, but it's tough. Sometimes I hear it in the morning as well, but not as loud. Leaving the T.V. or radio on at night helps a little. I'm afraid if I don't concentrate on ignoring it, I might go crazy. Does anyone else have a similar problem or can relate? If so, what do you do to ease the sound?

I have tinnitus from having had Meniere's Disease but I've never been bothered by it. Have you had your ears checked and made sure they're cleaned and looked at your diet, etc. to see if you can eliminate the tinnitus?

Some of it for me is that it's like "background"/white noise and I don't notice it unless I do think of it to notice. I do have a fan or air cleaning going in my room as I go to sleep though too: http://ftp.bixby.org/faq/tinnitus/coexist.html I think there are tricks of attention that can help but don't know how to consciously do them? But as with anything, if you concentrate on them (even on making them not be there or not bother you) they're going to be more prominent and bothersome. I would work on distraction efforts. But I know how hard that is when you're trying to go to sleep; I often have a breathing "whistle" from my nose or mouth/throat that I can't get rid of that bugs me when I'm trying to get to sleep. Occasionally I'd take something like a Tylenol PM or Benedryl to help you get to sleep faster? Maybe do something like read or another intellectual activity that you can continue to think about as you're falling asleep to take your mind off?

Hi Anony,

I don't have the humming in my ears ,but I use to and sometimes still do, can hear my heart pounding in my ears as I try to sleep. Of course, my doctor put me on a heart med that stops it most of the time but until he did, I would turn a fan on. It helped to keep from concentrating on the pounding.
You might try some background noise to see if it helps.
Good luck,
Linda

I play a CD while going to sleep...it happens to be various sounds designed to put my brain into delta... but the noise of the sounds also helps block out my tinnitus.

For me it has helped to be more aware of my jaw clenching.. TMJ and tinnitus seem to go together alot of the time...i hope you find relief..

Hello I hope you are doing well at this time. Have you changed medications, or been put on another medication that may be causing the humming? I would suggest that you get checked to be sure it is not a physical condition, that way if it is something you can get treated for it and hopefully stop the noise. you may want to call the pharmacy to recommend something to take until you can see the Dr,
and let the pharmacist know what other medication you are taking in case you are restricted from taking certain medications . Take care sincerely Soidhonia.