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

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While working with a jigsaw, a user experienced an interesting phenomenon related to ear pressure and sound perception. They noted that yawning, which opens the Eustachian tubes, caused the noise of the jigsaw to become significantly louder, while plugging their nose muted the sound. This led to a humorous exchange about the unique ways sound can travel through the body, including the idea of hearing through the nose. Participants shared their own experiences with Eustachian tube function and how it affects hearing, particularly in situations like diving or altitude changes. The discussion also touched on the concept of internal versus external sound perception, with a lighthearted mention of unusual physical traits and their humorous implications.
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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This is by far the most peculiar and interesting post I've read all day.
 
I guess you could then say that you, "have a nose for music"? :smile:
 
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:
 
Blow it out your ear. I don't believe it.
 
jimmysnyder said:
Blow it out your ear. I don't believe it.
Neither did I, but the results are pretty irrefutable.
 
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.
 
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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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.
 

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