Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes A Feeling Of Hollow Sound In Head And Muffled Speech?

Hello, I have a hollow sound in my head where I can actually hear myself breathing and when I speak, it sounds extremely muffled to me. I have to ultimately rely on my years of speaking to gauge how my words are actually sounding to the person or people I am talking to, hoping they understand. I have spoken to my oncologist about this (I had nasalparyngeal carcinoma as a child), and he relates this to my chemo or radiation treatments. I am 44 years old, 5'3 and 155lbs.. There has to be a remedy to correct this, it's driving me CRAZY!!! I have tried the suggested lowering my head to my knees for approximately 30 seconds, but the fix is temporary (if at all). Please, please help me.
Tue, 14 Nov 2017
Report Abuse
Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello
Thank you for trusting HCM

Your treatment might disrupt the way the ear directs sound. This is called conductive hearing loss.

Some types of surgery and radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer cause swelling around the part of your middle ear that connects up to the back of your nose (the eustachian tube). This swelling can cause conductive hearing loss, which makes it difficult to hear soft sounds.
Some times radiotherapy induced sensoneural hearing loss may cause bone conditions more than air so the way you speak may produce internal echos so you hear your own voice.

Muffled speech may be due to laryngitis (post radiation).

Please consult your doctor for further assistance.
I find this answer helpful
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes A Feeling Of Hollow Sound In Head And Muffled Speech?

Hello Thank you for trusting HCM Your treatment might disrupt the way the ear directs sound. This is called conductive hearing loss. Some types of surgery and radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer cause swelling around the part of your middle ear that connects up to the back of your nose (the eustachian tube). This swelling can cause conductive hearing loss, which makes it difficult to hear soft sounds. Some times radiotherapy induced sensoneural hearing loss may cause bone conditions more than air so the way you speak may produce internal echos so you hear your own voice. Muffled speech may be due to laryngitis (post radiation). Please consult your doctor for further assistance.