Book 2, Question 65
Why Does a Stuffed Nose Change Our Voice?
When your nose is stuffy, your voice sounds different. Your voice bounces around inside the space in your nose. When that space is blocked, the sound changes.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 2
More fun facts
- Resonance is part of what gives each human voice its sound.
- A flap called the velopharyngeal valve separates your mouth from your nose.
- Speech with too little sound coming through the nose is called hyponasal speech.
- A stuffy nose happens when something irritates the inside of your nose, causing swelling and mucus.
- Your nose warms and filters the air you breathe.
- Words that start with rhino usually have to do with the nose.
Sources: KidsHealth (Nemours), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic
Questions kids ask
Why does a cold make my voice sound funny?
When a bad cold blocks your nose, too little sound comes out through it, so your voice changes.