Humming: Can It Help Your Sinuses?

Humming is an effective way of increasing ventilation in the sinuses, according to findings published in the July 15, 2002, issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

The study, which involved 10 healthy men, showed that humming increased nitric oxide production by 15-fold, compared with normal exhalation. Because the paranasal sinuses are major producers of the nitric oxide in exhaled air, findings suggest that oscillating airflow caused by humming may increase gas exchange between the sinus cavities, which may have therapeutic effects.

Also, measuring nitric oxide during humming may be a noninvasive way to measure sinus function.