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.

Sorry to be so long-winded in the description, but I'm wondering if TMJ 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 regular dentist simply asked me to open and close while he felt my jaw muscles, looked at my bite, and said I don't have TMJ. However, I do have constant headaches, teeth grinding (use a night guard made by the dentist), very limited jaw opening, but not much "clicking" of the jaw muscle.

1. Anybody else have sounds like these?
2. Given the description, should I pursue TMJ with a specialist?

Thanks to anyone who gets through this long post, and I appreciate any suggestions about whether these noises might be TMJ related.

Tom