Involuntary humming, also known as idiopathic rhinophonia, is the medical term for compulsive humming or droning sounds that come from the back of the throat. It is an uncommon condition that can occur randomly or be triggered by stress, anxiety, or habit.
What causes involuntary humming?
The exact cause of involuntary humming is unknown, but it may be related to malfunctions in the areas of the brain that control vocalizations. Potential causes include:
- Neurological disorders – Damage or abnormalities in parts of the brain including the basal ganglia, hypothalamus, and thalamus could lead to repetitive vocal tics like humming.
- Psychological disorders – Anxiety, OCD, Tourette’s syndrome and other conditions affecting mental health may trigger humming.
- Medications – Some drugs like amphetamines and corticosteroids are associated with movement disorders and tics.
- Structural abnormalities – Defects in the nasal cavity, soft palate, larynx, or pharynx could cause air passage obstructions that create humming.
- Chronic sinusitis – Persistent sinus inflammation can prompt nasal humming.
- Habit or reflex – Humming may start randomly but become reinforced over time.
In many cases, no definitive cause is identified. The humming is likely due to overactivity of the vocal cords and soft palate muscles.
When does involuntary humming require medical attention?
Occasional involuntary humming that goes away on its own is usually not a concern. See your doctor if you experience:
- Persistent, frequent humming episodes
- Inability to control the humming sounds
- Humming that interrupts speech or daily activities
- Loud, disruptive humming
- Humming combined with other vocal tics
- Stress or anxiety due to the humming
A doctor can check for underlying conditions and provide appropriate treatment options. Seek immediate help if humming is accompanied by difficulty breathing, slurred speech, or weakness on one side of the body as these may indicate a neurological emergency.
What tests are done for involuntary humming?
To diagnose the cause of involuntary humming, the doctor may order:
- Physical exam – Check for issues with the nose, throat, mouth, larynx.
- Neurological exam – Assess nerve function, reflexes, and look for signs of tic disorders.
- CT or MRI scans – Identify structural brain abnormalities.
- Blood tests – Check for vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, infections.
- Allergy testing – Look for allergies contributing to nasal congestion.
- Psychiatric evaluation – Assess for anxiety, OCD, Tourette’s syndrome.
- Sleep study – Check for sleep apnea or other sleep disorder.
Identifying any underlying condition is key to guiding appropriate treatment.
How can I get my involuntary humming to stop?
Treatment options for involuntary humming include:
- Medications – Muscle relaxants like baclofen may reduce humming from vocal cord spasms. Antidepressants or antimicrobials may help if due to a psychiatric or infectious trigger.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – Can help manage anxiety or obsessive-compulsive humming habits.
- Biofeedback – This mind-body technique teaches you how to control involuntary muscle movements.
- Hypnosis – Can make your brain more receptive to suggestions that reduce humming.
- Surgery – Only in severe cases when there’s an anatomical obstruction triggering humming.
- Botulinum toxin injections – Paralyze overactive vocal cord muscles temporarily.
The most effective approach depends on the underlying cause. Lifestyle remedies may also help:
- Reduce stress and anxiety through relaxation techniques.
- Avoid triggers like allergens, crowded places, lack of sleep.
- Stop habits that reinforce humming, like frequent throat clearing.
- Try distraction techniques when involuntary humming occurs.
- Use background noise to drown out humming sounds.
When will the involuntary humming resolve?
The prognosis depends on the cause. With treatment:
- Most humming from medications, infections, or habits stops within 6 months.
- Allergy-related humming improves when triggers are avoided.
- Humming due to Tourette’s may persist but fluctuate in severity.
- Neurological damage can cause irreversible chronic humming.
- Anatomical defects may require surgery for lasting improvement.
On average, non-neurological humming resolves within 9-12 months with appropriate treatment. Neurologic humming tends to be chronic with partial improvement.
Can involuntary humming be prevented?
It’s not always possible to prevent involuntary humming, but the following measures can reduce your risk:
- Manage stress through exercise, meditation, counseling, and other relaxation methods.
- Get treatment for allergy symptoms to prevent chronic congestion.
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke which irritate the throat.
- Minimize use of medications that may cause tics as side effects.
- Get enough sleep and treat sleep disorders like apnea.
- Stimulate your mind with challenging activities to keep the brain healthy.
See your doctor right away if you notice the onset of repetitive humming sounds so any underlying condition can be promptly addressed.
What’s the best way to cope with involuntary humming?
Coping strategies that help manage involuntary humming include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – Change thought patterns around humming to reduce distress.
- Biofeedback – Use equipment to get feedback on muscle tension and retrain control.
- Distraction techniques – Diverting your focus when humming occurs can help stop episodes.
- White noise machines – Provide soothing background noise to mask humming sounds.
- Communication strategies – Tell others about your condition so they understand if humming happens.
- Support groups – Connect with others dealing with similar issues.
Learning what triggers humming and avoiding those factors can also minimize episodes. Have patience with treatment as controlling involuntary behaviors takes time. See your mental health professional if coping strategies are not helping.
Can children suffer from involuntary humming?
Involuntary humming can occur in children but is uncommon. Possible causes include:
- Tourette’s syndrome – Chronic motor and vocal tics.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder – Repetitive thought patterns and behaviors.
- Autism spectrum disorder – Humming may be a self-soothing behavior.
- ADHD – Impulse control issues can lead to vocal tics.
- Childhood apraxia of speech – Difficulty coordinating mouth muscles.
- Sinus issues – Allergies or colds causing congestion.
If your child develops new onset humming, mention it to their pediatrician. Early intervention can help manage any underlying condition. Strategies include behavioral therapies, vocal training, medications, and family support.
When should someone see a doctor for involuntary humming?
See your doctor if you experience:
- Frequent or prolonged involuntary humming episodes
- Humming that interferes with work, school, or relationships
- Other vocal tics accompanying humming
- Discomfort, pain, or distress due to humming
- Anxiety or depression related to the symptoms
- Difficulty stopping the humming voluntarily
- Recent onset of humming without clear trigger
A doctor can assess for underlying conditions, provide diagnostic testing, and prescribe medications or therapies to help reduce bothersome involuntary humming.
What’s the outlook for someone with chronic involuntary humming?
The long-term outlook depends on the cause:
- For humming due to neurological damage, chronic symptoms are likely.
- With Tourette’s syndrome, tics like humming often improve in adulthood.
- When due to a structural defect or obstruction, surgery may cure it.
- Allergy and sinus problems can cause lifelong intermittent humming.
- Habitual humming typically resolves within 12 months.
Even chronic humming can be managed with a combination of medications, therapy, and self-care techniques. The key is to identify and treat any underlying condition early. Work closely with your doctor to find the right strategies to minimize involuntary humming episodes and discomfort.
What’s the connection between humming and anxiety?
Anxiety is linked to involuntary humming in several ways:
- Stress and anxiety may trigger humming episodes in some individuals.
- Pre-existing humming can provoke anxiety due to difficulty controlling symptoms.
- The disturbing nature of involuntary behaviors causes distress.
- Humming from multiple causes gets worse with anxiety.
- Social anxiety develops if humming interferes with relationships.
In a vicious cycle, anxiety makes humming worse, while humming increases anxiety. Breaking this cycle requires managing stress and treating related disorders like OCD. Counseling teaches coping strategies to reduce anxiety from humming. Anti-anxiety medication can also temporarily calm symptoms.
What health professionals help treat involuntary humming?
A team approach is best to address all aspects of involuntary humming. Professionals who can help include:
| Specialist | Role in Treatment |
|---|---|
| Primary care doctor | Initial evaluation, referrals, follow-up care |
| Neurologist | Diagnose neurological causes, prescribe medications |
| Psychiatrist | Assess for psychiatric disorders, provide therapy |
| Otolaryngologist | Evaluate nasal/throat anatomy, surgically correct obstructions |
| Speech pathologist | Rehabilitate vocal tics and coordination problems |
| Counselor/therapist | Provide cognitive behavioral therapy for coping |
Open communication between your doctors ensures all aspects of humming are addressed. Don’t hesitate to see specialists or get second opinions if your symptoms don’t improve.
Can alternative medicine help with involuntary humming?
Complementary health approaches that may help reduce humming episodes include:
- Acupuncture – May alter nerve signals to ease tic behaviors.
- Yoga/meditation – Relieve anxiety and stress that exacerbate humming.
- Hypnotherapy – Can make the brain more receptive to control humming.
- Biofeedback – Trains you to control involuntary muscle tension.
- Music/art therapy – Distracts the mind and eases anxiety.
- Essential oils – Lavender, frankincense and others have calming properties.
When used alongside conventional treatment, alternative therapies can potentially reduce the frequency and intensity of involuntary humming episodes. However, they should not replace doctor-supervised treatment plans.
What triggers cause involuntary humming to worsen?
Known triggers that can increase involuntary humming include:
- Stress, anxiety, and excitement
- Fatigue or sleep deprivation
- Illnesses like colds or sinus infections
- Irritants like smoke, pollen, or air pollution
- Caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs
- Certain medications
- Noisy or crowded environments
- The habitual act of humming
Identifying and avoiding personal humming triggers can significantly reduce episodes. Keep a symptom journal to pinpoint your triggers. Manage stress and maintain healthy sleep habits. See your doctor if illness, medications, or other medical issues worsen humming.
Conclusion
Involuntary humming can be annoying and embarrassing, but various treatments can help manage it. See your doctor to identify any underlying cause, such as neurological, immunologic, anatomical, or psychological factors. Treatment with medications, therapy, and stress reduction techniques can often control symptoms within several months. Be patient, avoid triggers, and use coping strategies to minimize your distress. With a combination approach tailored to your specific circumstances, most cases of pathological humming can be overcome.
