You know it? You hear one simple tune – perhaps on the radio or in a commercial – and then it keeps spinning endlessly in your head. You try to do something else, but that song sticks around. That’s what they call an earworm. Usually it’s nothing more than a little irritating, but sometimes you can get quite distracted by it. At Horend Goed, we often hear about it. Because we work with people with hearing aids, this phenomenon comes very close to the field of hearing, sound and sometimes tinnitus. In this blog you will read what earworms are, how they work, when they become annoying, what the difference is with tinnitus and what you can do yourself to get rid of them.
What exactly is an earwig?
An earworm is a short musical fragment, a melody or even a jingle, that is involuntarily repeated in your head. It often involves 15-30 seconds of a melody.
You’ve probably experienced it: something small, something you heard recently, something that has emotion or memory attached to it, and hop, that piece is stuck. Happiness, sadness, nostalgia or even boredom can be triggers.
Almost everyone suffers from it at one time or another: up to 98% of people experience such earworms on a regular basis.
Why does that song get so stuck?
Researchers have found that there are a few factors that determine whether a melody picks up or keeps playing in your head:
- Repetition and familiarity: songs with simple, repetitive melodies or predictable patterns are more prone to becoming an earworm.
- Emotional connection: songs that are linked to emotions – joy, sadness, nostalgia – or evoke memories are more likely to stick.
- Recent exposure: have you just heard it, or heard it often (radio, commercial, playlist), it is more likely to linger.
- Rest / little mental activity: when your mind is not busy, or when you do something that requires little concentration (driving, walking, housework), such earworm gets more space.
Earworms and tinnitus: what’s the difference?
Because we at Horend Goed also deal a lot with tinnitus, we sometimes get the question, “Is an earwig the same as tinnitus?” The answer is: no, not quite. There are similarities, but they differ in important ways.
- Tinnitus is hearing sound without an external sound source, usually noise, beep, hum or buzz. With tinnitus, you can hear it constantly, and it can be quite stressful.
- Musical hallucinations / “musical tinnitus”: this is when you hear music that is not being played for an extended period of time. Sometimes people confuse this with earworms, but it goes beyond a short clip.
- An earworm is usually temporary, is often interrupted or displaced, and is not continuous. Tinnitus can be constant or very frequent.
Some people who have tinnitus find that earworms are more common – because the auditory system is already hypersensitive, as silence or lack of other sounds “bores” the brain and searches for sound.
When does it become annoying?
An earworm can be normal, but can become annoying if:
- it is frequent and you suffer from restlessness or sleep disturbance
- you can’t separate yourself from it
- your concentration sometimes breaks down because you keep hearing that song
- it is in combination with tinnitus or if listening to other sounds is disturbed
What can you do yourself to relieve an earworm?
Fortunately, there are several strategies to loosen or reduce such an earworm:
| Method | How does it work / what can you do |
|---|---|
| Listen something else | Put on a different song, something you know but not too catchy. It helps interrupt the earworm’s “loop.” |
| Take advantage of your auditory environment | Talking, listening to radio, background noise, nature sound – anything that draws your attention outside. |
| Active distraction | Doing something mindful, puzzling, reading, doing something creative; focusing your mental resources on something else. |
| Complete the song | Sometimes it helps to listen to the whole song, not just that excerpt. That gives your brain “closure.” |
| Physical actions | Some studies cite chewing gum because it “occupies” speech-related brain activity and articulation; that makes it harder to keep repeating the song in your head. |
Tips especially for people with hearing aids
Because we discuss this daily in our store, we know how a hearing aid can enhance an earworm or tinnitus experience. Here are some tips:
- Check for settings in hearing aid or app to better control background noise or noise
- Set volumes properly: too loud makes everything louder, including irritating fragments
- Use programs or modes that prioritize speech, or filters that allow you to attenuate unwanted sounds
When can you consider help?
If an earworm is very frequent and bothers you greatly, or if you think it is related to tinnitus or hearing loss, it is wise to discuss it:
- With your hearing care professional: they can check your hearing aid, hear how your setting is, whether any updates or adjustments are possible
- Sometimes an audiologist or ENT specialist can also be helpful, especially with chronic tinnitus or when hearing (without earworm) hurts or causes a lot of discomfort
Facts & figures
- About 98% of people experience such an earworm at one time or another.
- Earworms usually last only minutes to a few hours. Only exceptionally do they last longer.
- Emotions and recent exposure (song often heard) increase the probability.
- There is a relationship in some cases between earworms and tinnitus or hearing loss, especially when brains miss sensory stimuli.
Summary
An earworm is something almost everyone knows: that one song that keeps ringing around in your head. Usually harmless, but sometimes annoying. It is distinctly different from tinnitus, although the experiences can overlap or reinforce each other. Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with it. Change sound, change environment, seek distractions, and seek help when necessary.
At Horend Goed, we want you to not only hear better, but for your hearing experience to be calm, comfortable and enjoyable – without the music in your head constantly following you around. If you have any questions, or would like us to look at your hearing experience together, please feel free to contact us.
