
Muffled sound typically results in audio being too low or high. One of the most common causes of muffled sound is a problem with your speakers. This can be caused by old or faulty wiring, damaged speakers, or an issue with the power supply to the speakers.
What can cause muffled hearing?
Some of the more common ones include:
- Age-related hearing loss
- Certain drugs, including some antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ), and water pills or diuretics
- Common cold
- Earwax buildup
- Head or neck injury
- Meniere's disease
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Sinus pressure
- Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ (an issue with your lower jaw where it connects to your skull)
How to relieve ear congestion?
How to relieve the pressure in your ears
- Altitude changes. Yawning or swallowing can help to open your eustachian tubes and equalize pressure. ...
- Wax buildup. Earwax can be removed by using solutions such as mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide to dissolve earwax that’s accumulated in the ear canal.
- Sinus congestion. ...
- Ear infections. ...
- Allergies. ...
- Blockage due to foreign object
- Fluid buildup. ...
How do I fix the muffled sound on Windows 10?
To do so:
- Click the Start icon, then settings
- Select Updates and Security
- Select Troubleshooting in the windows update window
- Select “ View all ” on the left pane to open up more troubleshooting options, then select “Windows Audio.”
- The program will automatically scan your computer’s audio configuration and identify any issues it finds.
How to unclog your ears?
Tips for a clogged outer ear
- Mineral oil. Try dripping mineral, olive, or baby oil into your clogged ear. ...
- Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide otic. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide otic can also be dripped into your ear. Combine the peroxide with warm water in a bowl first.
- Over-the-counter ear drops. You can pick up ear drops online or at your local pharmacy. Use as directed on the packaging.
- Ear irrigation. Irrigating your ear may help after you’ve made some headway with the blockage. It can be done at home.
- Warm compress or steam. Try placing a warm compress over your ear, or try taking a hot shower. A shower can help get steam into your ear canal.
What causes muffled hearing in the middle of the ear?
What to do if you have a muffled hearing?
What does it mean when your hearing is asymmetric?
Why does my Eustachian tube sound muffled?
How to tell if you have asymmetric hearing loss?
Why does my hearing get muffled?
Why does my voice sound like it's mumbling?
See 2 more

How do you fix a muffled sound?
Preventing the muffled sound by recording without effects, in an open space (i.e. NOT a closet) with a good microphone, and. If the voice is already recorded, apply some EQ to the vocal track. Just reducing the low and low-mid frequencies should do the trick.
Why does the audio sound muffled?
Many things could influence the sound quality of your headphones. Damaged wires, frayed headphone wires, earwax in the speaker, and water damage could all affect how you hear sound through your headphones.
Why is my iPhone sound muffled?
Remove all screen protectors, films, or cases from your device. Check the speaker opening to see if it's blocked or dirty. On iPhone only, make sure that the receiver isn't blocked or dirty. If necessary, clean the speaker or receiver opening with a small, soft-bristled brush.
Why does my phone audio sound muffled?
If you're wondering, "why does my phone sound muffled?" or "how do I fix my speaker volume?", the chances are that your speakers are full of dust! As mentioned earlier, your smartphone's speaker vents often accumulate dust over time. This can hinder their ability to emit sound.
Why does my speaker sound like its underwater?
Blown speakers are one of the reasons why your speakers may sound like they are underwater. Identifying this issue is difficult since several reasons may cause your speakers to blow. The main reasons for this are using incorrect amplifier and speaker set up, overdriving your speakers, and so on.
Why does everything suddenly sound muffled?
Muffled hearing might be caused by something as simple as congestion from the common cold or hay fever, in which case, hearing may gradually improve on its own. But sometimes, muffled hearing is due to a serious condition like a tumor or head injury.
How do I unclog my iPhone ear speaker?
Do use a soft bristled brush to gently brush your iPhone's speaker grilles. Try to use the brush at an angle so you're not forcing the dirt up into the grille, but gently brushing it out. DI QIU REN offers an affordable twin-pack of extra-soft bristled toothbrushes(opens in a new tab) that is ideal for the job.
How do I clean my iPhone hear?
1:436:04How to Clean iPhone Ear Speakers / Fix Low Volume - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's kind of causing it to block and sticky if the dust is too sticky what you can do is get aMoreIt's kind of causing it to block and sticky if the dust is too sticky what you can do is get a cotton ball or wax. A small rag. So here I got a cotton ball.
How do you fix your phone's sound?
6 Important Tips To Fix Broken Phone SpeakersDisable Do Not Disturb Mode.Check If The Bluetooth Is Connected.Keep Your Speakers Clean.Removing The Dust.Restart Your Device.Check App-Specific Sound Settings.
How do I clear a blurry sound?
Here are three ways to remove noise:EQ. Use equalization to roll off the high-frequency hiss. ... De-Noise Plug In. Noise reduction plug-ins work by sampling sections of pure noise (i.e., without good audio) known as a noise profile, and using that as a template for what to strip from the recording.Multi-band Compression.
Why is the sound distorted on my iPhone?
If your iPhone speaker sounds distorted, check your sound settings, and install the latest iOS updates. Then clean the speaker with a soft cloth, electrical tape, or soft-bristled brush. If the issue persists, book a Genius Bar appointment to check if this is indeed a hardware issue.
How can you tell if your iPhone speaker is blown?
If your iPhone speaker has blown, it will be very obvious that there is a problem. There may be no sound playing through it whatsoever, or the sound may be very muffled, plagued with crackles, or perhaps cutting out periodically.
What causes muffled hearing in the middle of the ear?
3. You have an ear infection. If you have an outer ear infection or a middle ear infection, your ears may be filled with a fungal or bacterial infection. This will likely temporarily affect your hearing and may make your hearing sound muffled in the affected ear. An ear infection can occur in one ear or both ears and should be treated by ...
What to do if you have a muffled hearing?
If you experience muffled hearing or a sudden change in hearing in one ear, see an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician immediately. The sooner the sudden hearing loss is treated, the greater likelihood the hearing will return. 3. You have an ear infection.
What does it mean when your hearing is asymmetric?
An asymmetric hearing loss means that your hearing is worse in one ear than the other. Sometimes people who have a difference in hearing between the ears, describe a muffled sound quality in the poorer ear. This is especially true if there is a sudden change in hearing in one ear. This difference in hearing between the ears leaves your brain ...
Why does my Eustachian tube sound muffled?
Sometimes people may have difficulty with the functioning of this tube, especially if they are experiencing sinus issues. When the Eustachian tube is not opening and closing properly, it may feel like your ears are clogged and your hearing may sound muffled.
How to tell if you have asymmetric hearing loss?
You may notice an asymmetric hearing loss if you hold the phone up to each ear. The phone will sound louder or clearer in the better ear and you will notice a significant difference in the way each ear is hearing. If you experience muffled hearing or a sudden change in hearing in one ear, see an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician immediately. ...
Why does my hearing get muffled?
This is because it can come from anywhere – a clogging in the ear, an infection, or hearing loss itself. If you're feeling like your hearing is muffled, you might want to see an audiologist!
Why does my voice sound like it's mumbling?
That is because when you are not able to hear the consonants of speech, the speaker sounds like they are mumbling or not speaking clearly. In order to determine whether you have a high-frequency hearing loss, a thorough evaluation by an Audiologist is recommended.
What causes multiple symptoms?
Muffled hearing doesn’t always occur by itself. It can appear with other symptoms, too. It’s important to describe all symptoms to a doctor to help identify the underlying cause.
Why does my hearing get muffled after a cold?
This can happen when a cold progresses to a sinus infection or a middle ear infection.
Why does my ear make a noise?
Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, humming, or clicking sound in the ear) can also cause muffled hearing. These sounds can be temporary or permanent, and occurs when sensory hair cells in the inner ear become damaged. This can happen with age or due to prolonged exposure to loud noise.
How do you know if you have earwax buildup?
Other symptoms of an earwax buildup include an earache, extreme pressure, and ringing in the ear.
What is sinus infection?
Sinus infection (sinusitis) A sinus infection is when cavities around the nasal passage become inflamed and swollen. Sinus drainage due to an infection can trigger ear congestion and muffled hearing. Other symptoms include a headache, coughing, bad breath, fever, and fatigue. Mild cases of sinusitis don’t need a doctor.
What does it feel like to have muffled hearing?
Muffled hearing can sound and feel like cotton balls in your ear. You may have a sensation that’s similar to the pressure you feel while flying on an airplane. And while there isn’t complete hearing loss, you may strain to hear others clearly. Muffled hearing occurs when sound waves have trouble passing through the inner ear.
Why does fluid accumulate in the middle ear?
Middle ear infection. These bacterial or viral infections occur when fluid accumulates in the middle ear due to swelling or inflammation in the eustachian tube. This tube helps the ears drain fluid from the middle ear. Some middle ear infections are mild and clear on their own.
What Causes Muffled or Distorted Sounds in Headphones?
Sound distortions in headphones are more common than you might think and can appear in many different forms. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why your audio might sound muffled or distorted.
What codec does a Mac use?
Mac, by default, tries to use the AAC audio codec with connected audio devices. In some instances, Bluetooth devices will revert to using the SCO or SBC codecs, which are both lesser in quality compared to that of AAC. This generally happens when the Mac assumes the built-in mic of your headphones is being used.
Why are my headphones wires frayed?
However, both types of damage can cause changes to the performance of your headphones .
Why is it important to keep your headphone jack clean?
Keeping your headphone jack clean is important in ensuring the connection between your headphones and audio device is clear. All you need is a paperclip and some sticky tape.
Why is my audio quality unpredictable?
Performance may be unpredictable due to the difference in codecs being used. For example, Mac devices prefer to use the AAC codec.
Why is my audio muffled?
For wired headphones, muffled audio can be caused by a loose connection to the audio source. If the plug of your headphones isn’t properly plugged in the audio port, sound quality will be inconsistent. For Bluetooth headphones, it can be caused by mismatched codecs.
What to do when headphones are dry?
When the headphones are dry, remove them and perform an audio test.
5 Reasons Why Mic Sound Is Muffled
When using a computer-connected microphone, or a headset microphone, there could be a few reasons why you’re running into trouble:
How to Fix a Muffled Mic
Now that we’ve looked at some of the most common reasons for having microphone issues, let’s look at what we can do to actually fix it.
How to Fix a Muffled Headset Mic
When headset mics are having issues, it’s more than likely a software issue.
Conclusion
Some signs of a microphone that’s broken are audio recordings completely missing high or low frequencies, audio cutting in and out. or warbled or distorted sound. Another good indicator is if there is no sound being recorded at all.
What causes muffled hearing in the middle of the ear?
3. You have an ear infection. If you have an outer ear infection or a middle ear infection, your ears may be filled with a fungal or bacterial infection. This will likely temporarily affect your hearing and may make your hearing sound muffled in the affected ear. An ear infection can occur in one ear or both ears and should be treated by ...
What to do if you have a muffled hearing?
If you experience muffled hearing or a sudden change in hearing in one ear, see an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician immediately. The sooner the sudden hearing loss is treated, the greater likelihood the hearing will return. 3. You have an ear infection.
What does it mean when your hearing is asymmetric?
An asymmetric hearing loss means that your hearing is worse in one ear than the other. Sometimes people who have a difference in hearing between the ears, describe a muffled sound quality in the poorer ear. This is especially true if there is a sudden change in hearing in one ear. This difference in hearing between the ears leaves your brain ...
Why does my Eustachian tube sound muffled?
Sometimes people may have difficulty with the functioning of this tube, especially if they are experiencing sinus issues. When the Eustachian tube is not opening and closing properly, it may feel like your ears are clogged and your hearing may sound muffled.
How to tell if you have asymmetric hearing loss?
You may notice an asymmetric hearing loss if you hold the phone up to each ear. The phone will sound louder or clearer in the better ear and you will notice a significant difference in the way each ear is hearing. If you experience muffled hearing or a sudden change in hearing in one ear, see an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician immediately. ...
Why does my hearing get muffled?
This is because it can come from anywhere – a clogging in the ear, an infection, or hearing loss itself. If you're feeling like your hearing is muffled, you might want to see an audiologist!
Why does my voice sound like it's mumbling?
That is because when you are not able to hear the consonants of speech, the speaker sounds like they are mumbling or not speaking clearly. In order to determine whether you have a high-frequency hearing loss, a thorough evaluation by an Audiologist is recommended.