Why is the sound of my jigsaw louder when I yawn?

  • Thread starter DaveC426913
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In summary, today I was doing some serious detail work on my fence with my jigsaw and I had earplugs because the jigsaw is quite noisy. But I chanced to yawn and cleared my ears, which opened up my Eustacian tubes. The noise of the jigsaw was reaching my ears through my nose. Plugging my nose made the sound muted.
  • #1
DaveC426913
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Today I was doing some serious detail work on my fence with my jigsaw. I had earplugs because the jigsaw is quite noisy. They're pretty good earplugs, muting the sound dramatically to a distant buzz.

But I chanced to yawn, clearing my ears, (which opens up one's Eustacian tubes) and suddenly the sound was dramatically louder! Closing my mouth made virtually no difference as long as my nose was still open, but plugging my nose muted the sound. The noise of the jigsaw was reaching my ears through my nose!

Tee hee!
 
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  • #2
This is by far the most peculiar and interesting post I've read all day.
 
  • #3
I guess you could then say that you, "have a nose for music"? :smile:
 
  • #4
I know the effect. Funny in a way. To some extent I can open my Eustachian tubes on demand and occasionally I am playing in "now I hear you/now I don't" :smile:
 
  • #5
Blow it out your ear. I don't believe it.
 
  • #6
jimmysnyder said:
Blow it out your ear. I don't believe it.
Neither did I, but the results are pretty irrefutable.
 
  • #7
Borek said:
To some extent I can open my Eustachian tubes on demand
Me too. Never been able to empathize with people who have trouble clearing their ears at altitude or under pressure. A helpful feature when I dive.
 
  • #8
They had, in the old days, ear horns to aid in hearing, but when I read this, I had a stray thought of someone with one of those old phonograph/ear 'horns' in the nose.
 
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  • #9
DaveC426913 said:
Today I was doing some serious detail work on my fence with my jigsaw. I had earplugs because the jigsaw is quite noisy. They're pretty good earplugs, muting the sound dramatically to a distant buzz.

But I chanced to yawn, clearing my ears, (which opens up one's Eustacian tubes) and suddenly the sound was dramatically louder! Closing my mouth made virtually no difference as long as my nose was still open, but plugging my nose muted the sound. The noise of the jigsaw was reaching my ears through my nose!

Tee hee!

In order to protect your hearing, next time you should wear nose plugs and keep your mouth closed.

Have you ever seen the people that can squirt milk from their tear duct?
 
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  • #10
Nose lol
 
  • #11
I can blow air through my tear duct...
 
  • #12
This was once explained to me by a music instructor, as the reason many of us sing slightly off-key. I was told that we hear our own voices, not so much externally as others do, but more internally as it is fed back through the nasal passage, etc, - - - and this is often slightly muted.

KM
 
  • #13
Big nostrils Dave? :-p My ex had nostrils so big I often found myself wondering what kind of small animals could crawl into his nose.
 

FAQ: Why is the sound of my jigsaw louder when I yawn?

What does it mean when I can hear through my nose?

When you say you can hear through your nose, it typically means that you are experiencing a sensation of sound that seems to originate from inside your nasal passages. This can happen due to various reasons, including a blockage or inflammation of the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the back of the nose.

Is it normal to hear through my nose?

While it is not a common occurrence, it is not considered abnormal to hear through your nose. However, if it is a persistent issue or accompanied by other symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

Can allergies cause me to hear through my nose?

Yes, allergies can cause inflammation in the nasal passages, which can affect the Eustachian tubes and lead to a sensation of hearing through your nose. Allergies can also cause excess mucus production, which can block the Eustachian tubes and affect your hearing.

How can I stop hearing through my nose?

The best way to stop hearing through your nose is to address the underlying cause. If it is due to allergies, taking antihistamines or using nasal sprays can help reduce inflammation and improve your hearing. If it is due to a blockage, a doctor may recommend decongestants or perform a procedure to clear the blockage.

Is hearing through my nose a sign of a serious problem?

In most cases, hearing through your nose is not a sign of a serious problem and can be resolved with proper treatment. However, if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, dizziness, or fever, it is important to seek medical attention to rule out any underlying conditions that may require further treatment.

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