Question

How can humming while shooting a gun reduce ear damage?

a) Humming cancels out the sound waves.

b) Humming increases air density.

c) Humming slows down the speed of sound.

d) Humming reduces the amplitude of the gun's sound waves.

Answer 1

Humming activates muscles in the middle ear that protect the cochlea from intense sounds like gunshots, potentially reducing hearing damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

Humming while shooting a gun may protect your ears from the intense sound of the gunshot. This protective effect is because humming can trigger the contraction of two muscles located in the middle ear. These muscles, when activated, help to reduce the force of loud noises on the cochlea.

The claim is that these muscles contract in response to intense sounds, and can be similarly activated by humming or speaking. The contraction happens in a matter of milliseconds, thus providing a natural reflex defense against loud sounds, such as gunshots, potentially reducing the risk of noise-induced hearing damage.