diff --git a/headmic.py b/headmic.py
index 79df6c7..ddda680 100644
--- a/headmic.py
+++ b/headmic.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ MAX_RECORDING_FRAMES = 1000  # ~30 sec max
 
 EARTAIL_URL = os.environ.get("EARTAIL_URL", "http://bigorin.local:8764")
 
-DOA_POLL_HZ = 10  # DoA polling rate
+DOA_POLL_HZ = 5   # DoA polling rate (lower = less GIL pressure on uvicorn)
 EYE_SERVICE_URL = os.environ.get("EYE_SERVICE_URL", "http://localhost:8780")
 
 # ============================================================================
@@ -425,8 +425,8 @@ from spatial import SpatialTracker
 spatial_tracker: Optional[SpatialTracker] = None
 GAZE_CENTER = 127
 _last_gaze_push: tuple[int, int] = (GAZE_CENTER, GAZE_CENTER)
-GAZE_PUSH_MIN_DELTA = 3    # don't push gaze unless it moved by at least this much
-GAZE_PUSH_INTERVAL = 0.1   # max 10 gaze pushes/sec to eye service
+GAZE_PUSH_MIN_DELTA = 5    # don't push gaze unless it moved by at least this much
+GAZE_PUSH_INTERVAL = 0.5   # max 2 gaze pushes/sec to eye service
 
 
 def doa_track_loop():