Study of 10 healthy subjects showing that humming increased nasal nitric oxide (NO) levels 15 fold compared to quiet exhalation, likely due to increased sinus ventilation and gas exchange between the sinuses and nasal cavity. In a two-compartment model resembling the nasal cavity and sinuses, oscillating airflow from phonation dramatically increased gas exchange between the compartments.
Weitzberg et al., 15 Jul 2002, peer-reviewed, 2 authors.
Humming Greatly Increases Nasal Nitric Oxide
Dr Eddie Weitzberg, Jon O N Lundberg
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, doi:10.1164/rccm.200202-138bc
The paranasal sinuses are major producers of nitric oxide (NO). We hypothesized that oscillating airflow produced by humming would enhance sinus ventilation and thereby increase nasal NO levels. Ten healthy subjects took part in the study. Nasal NO was measured with a chemiluminescence technique during humming and quiet single-breath exhalations at a fixed flow rate. NO increased 15-fold during humming compared with quiet exhalation. In a two-compartment model of the nose and sinus, oscillating airflow caused a dramatic increase in gas exchange between the cavities. Obstruction of the sinus ostium is a central event in the pathogenesis of sinusitis. Nasal NO measurements during humming may be a useful noninvasive test of sinus NO production and ostial patency. In addition, any therapeutic effects of the improved sinus ventilation caused by humming should be investigated.
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