It’s nearly impossible to hum while holding your nose. This is because humming requires air to pass through the nasal passages in order to produce the sound. When you hum, the sound is created by the vibration of the vocal cords, and the air that comes out of your mouth travels through your nose. By holding your nose, you block the airflow through your nasal passages, making it difficult or impossible to hum. This is a fun and simple experiment to try, and it demonstrates how our bodies rely on airflow for specific vocalizations.

Why Humming Requires Nasal Airflow

Humming produces a distinct sound because the vibration of air through the nasal cavity amplifies the sound of the vocal cords. When you hum, air doesn’t just escape from your mouth; it also flows through the sinuses, which gives the sound a unique resonance. By blocking the nose, you prevent this important airflow, disrupting the process. This principle is part of how different vocal sounds, like humming, singing, or speaking, are produced and modified by the structures in your throat and nasal passages. Shutdown123