Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Karma on 07/07/2004 15:25:45

Title: Ear throbbing with music
Post by: Karma on 07/07/2004 15:25:45
Hello,
I saw the post on hearing vocals in one ear, so I thought I'd try my question here as well.
When I hear a particularly in-tune piece of music or singing, my right ear (inner ear) feels like it throbs, or vibrates. It doesn't hurt when this happens.
A friend of mine said it might be happening because of the music's harmonics making something in my ear vibrate. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Karen
Title: Re: Ear throbbing with music
Post by: neilep on 07/07/2004 18:44:57
Good question Karma....do you know if this is hapenning at high frequencies (treble) or low frequencies (bass) ?...or mid range....?.....or maybe just really loud volume ?.....your friend sounds like he might be on the right track but it will be interesting to get a professional opinion. Perhaps your inner ear is acting like a tuning fork perhaps ?....actually, the fact that you mention vocals does point to mid range frequencies.

As an Audio dealer I know that some sub woofers (bass boxes) can create harmonics so low that you can feel physically sick and I wonder if what you're experiencing is related, there are also speakers capable of producing pressure waves that you can feel on your chest......but personally I have not heard of your particular situation so I would take what I say lightly until you get an experts opinion...good luck and welcome to the site.

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !' (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.world-of-smilies.de%2Fhtml%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2FSchilder2%2Finsanes.gif&hash=4f18432872d0188852a6f4a3170ec758)
Title: Re: Ear throbbing with music
Post by: Karma on 07/07/2004 19:53:12
Thanks for the reply.

I should correct myself, this throbbing phenomena occurs just with vocals (a capella, over music, whatever). Instrumentals have never made this happen.

Some songs that this occurs with-
"She's Always a Woman to Me" - Billy Joel
"Somebody" - Depeche Mode

I don't get sick or dizzy when this happens, but it's always happened as far back as I can remember.

-Karen
Title: Re: Ear throbbing with music
Post by: neilep on 07/07/2004 20:51:32
You're welcome karen....I'm sure some lovely expert on this site will come up with a few possibilities for you...just hang on in there...............It does seem extremely selective though....a very interesting dilemma...I'm sure you'll get some answers soon........

Neil


'Men are the same as women...just inside out !' (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.world-of-smilies.de%2Fhtml%2Fimages%2Fsmilies%2FSchilder2%2Finsanes.gif&hash=4f18432872d0188852a6f4a3170ec758)
Title: Re: Ear throbbing with music
Post by: roxanne on 11/07/2004 17:40:28
Has anyone heard of constant music being percieved as heard when you're otherwise totally sane?