Soundless sneeze that isn't a stifle???

[LetMeBe]

So J (the guy I always post about it) and I have been connecting on another level lately. It's been less about the physical stuff and more about just spending time together which I think means we have become more than friends with benefits...which is...scary. But anyway, the other day I was over at his place and he confessed that he had an older brother that was deaf. i knew he had an older brother but had NO idea that he was deaf. J was like "I'm going to skype him in a few minutes. You should sit with me and maybe you can say hi or something." He was really kind of awkward and shy about asking me since we usually don't discuss our personal lives.

Anyway, I agreed to it although I was nervous because I DON'T know sign language and I've never attempted to communicate with a deaf person before ESPECIALLY via skype. Anyway, J told me that we would just use the chat function on skype and we could communicate that way. And then I felt stupid like... DUH!!!

I watched J and his brother talk to each other via chat bc i guess the internet was making it difficult for them to use sign language to one another. J and his older brother (we'll call him Z) look very similar, except Z is stockier, has longer hair, and his skin is more tinted than J's is. However, I would consider him attractive. Okay back on subject... So as soon as they started talking I noticed how Z was sniffling like crazy rubbing at his nose a lot. Apparently, J noticed too because he asked him about it.

"YOu sick?" J typed.

"No. At my girlfriend's house and she got a new cat." Z responded.

Immediately, all types of inappropriate thoughts went flying through my mind, and I innately began to feel hopeful that I would get an obs. However, J was obviously annoyed. I noticed that although he was younger he is really protective of his older brother.

"Doesn't she know you are allergic? That's kind of shitty don't you think?"

I heard Z sniffle really hard and it almost sounded like a hitch so I positioned myself closer to the screen so I could get a better look for what I expected to be the inevitable. Z was typing back to J when his nostrils began flaring. I could tell he was trying to fight it off but he lost the battle and sneezed the most INTERESTING triple I have ever witnessed in my entire life.

THe first sneeze was a one syllable just like J except it was vocally soundless. For example, when J sneezes he makes a vocal sound. his voice is usually deep. But with Z there was like NO SOUND. All you could hear was the spray, air, or the force of the sneeze escaping him. I have no idea if this is making any sense or if anyone else has witnessed a sneeze like this before, but I'm telling you there was NO SOUND and it WAS NOT A STIFLE.

Okay, the second sneeze came abruptly after and was exactly the same as the first. After the second sneeze, Z thought he was done and was caught off guard by the third sneeze which appeared really violent given the way his body shook. The only difference between the third sneeze and the other two was the sound of the actual force of it leaving his body. Again...no vocal sound.

Immediately after he finished sneezing, Z got up to get a tissue and then returned quickly to the computer. I forgot that I was hovering behind J gaping but Z waved at the camera and typed the following:

"Tell the pretty girl behind you I said hello!"

Feeling slightly embarrassed for gawking I waved and then ducked off to the side. For the rest of the conversation, Z continued to sniffle and he sneezed twice more each the same as before. I can't even really describe the sneezes let alone write them.

After the convo, i said to J "your brother seems nice."

"He is really nice. that's kind of the problem. He's allergic to the cat and he's not going to make a big deal out of it bc he's just like that. He'll be sniffling and sneezing every day now, and she will barely notice."

"Is his gf deaf too?"

"Yeah."

"So she won't even hear him huh?"

"Nope. Pretty easy to ignore something when you don't hear it."

"Well, I'm sure they'll work something out J. I mean, she's not blind. She'll see that he's allergic."

J kept shaking his head visibly annoyed.

i started to comment on how interesting his brother's sneeze was but decided that 1) that would sound creepy 2) J might hate me and think I'm making fun of his brother when I'm simply...intrigued?

Anyway, sorry if this obs is LAME! I couldn't even spell the sneezes, but the whole interaction was quite interesting and even afterwards J's feelings about everything was definitely a turn on. lol.

[sneezychick93]

that was very interesting! so glad you shared it with us!

[starpollen]

I am ridiculously intrigued by this. Thanks for sharing!

[Anonymouse]

That's pretty cool. I've seen almost silent sneezes, usually with the tiniest hint of a voice. It's just hard to imagine sneezing without having some voice behind it. But I guess if he doesn't use his that often it might not be strong enough maybe. Who knows.

J's brother sounds really charming and sweet and the sneezes, while unusual, sounded cute. Too bad he doesn't really speak up for himself about the cat issue.

[Hayley]

That's so fascinating! I mean, you always hear that deaf people have a hard time speaking because they've never heard the sounds. Maybe it's the same with sneezing? But that would mean that the vocalization that accompanies a sneeze is learned, rather than just natural. I wonder if that's really the case! Maybe we're all born with soundless sneezes, but we learn to vocalize them for some reason. The psych student in me wants to know more!

[Scion]

That's so fascinating! I mean, you always hear that deaf people have a hard time speaking because they've never heard the sounds. Maybe it's the same with sneezing? But that would mean that the vocalization that accompanies a sneeze is learned, rather than just natural. I wonder if that's really the case! Maybe we're all born with soundless sneezes, but we learn to vocalize them for some reason. The psych student in me wants to know more!

That's crazy! Not "impossible" crazy, but "totally interesting and unusual" crazy.

Anyway, the obs wasn't lame! It's the most interesting obs I've ever read. Kinda cute how J's being all protective of his brother.

[LetMeBe]

That's so fascinating! I mean, you always hear that deaf people have a hard time speaking because they've never heard the sounds. Maybe it's the same with sneezing? But that would mean that the vocalization that accompanies a sneeze is learned, rather than just natural. I wonder if that's really the case! Maybe we're all born with soundless sneezes, but we learn to vocalize them for some reason. The psych student in me wants to know more!

Haley you might be on to something. I mean think about it...we are taught that the sound of a sneeze is "Achoo". So maybe we replicate that in some way when we do actually sneeze? I have no idea!!! I wanted to ask J if Z ALWAYS sneezes like that but I didn't want to get my head chewed off!

[Scion]

That's so fascinating! I mean, you always hear that deaf people have a hard time speaking because they've never heard the sounds. Maybe it's the same with sneezing? But that would mean that the vocalization that accompanies a sneeze is learned, rather than just natural. I wonder if that's really the case! Maybe we're all born with soundless sneezes, but we learn to vocalize them for some reason. The psych student in me wants to know more!

Haley you might be on to something. I mean think about it...we are taught that the sound of a sneeze is "Achoo". So maybe we replicate that in some way when we do actually sneeze? I have no idea!!! I wanted to ask J if Z ALWAYS sneezes like that but I didn't want to get my head chewed off!

I'm WAY too intrigued by this. I keep thinking about it, wondering about the hows and whys and what ifs. That's so weird if we sneeze like we're SUPPOSED to sneeze lol!

[sillystarsmoons]

LetMeBe that's a really interesting observations. I liked reading it and it wasn't lame. Thanks for sharing.

[Hayley]

That's so fascinating! I mean, you always hear that deaf people have a hard time speaking because they've never heard the sounds. Maybe it's the same with sneezing? But that would mean that the vocalization that accompanies a sneeze is learned, rather than just natural. I wonder if that's really the case! Maybe we're all born with soundless sneezes, but we learn to vocalize them for some reason. The psych student in me wants to know more!

Haley you might be on to something. I mean think about it...we are taught that the sound of a sneeze is "Achoo". So maybe we replicate that in some way when we do actually sneeze? I have no idea!!! I wanted to ask J if Z ALWAYS sneezes like that but I didn't want to get my head chewed off!

I'm WAY too intrigued by this. I keep thinking about it, wondering about the hows and whys and what ifs. That's so weird if we sneeze like we're SUPPOSED to sneeze lol!

Yeah, I know, right? I only thought of it because I'm doing a minor in Psychology at university, and we talked a lot about learning and language acquisition this year. Now I can't stop wondering if there is a real explanation that's already been discovered, or if anyone has even thought about this. I keep thinking that maybe there's some text or something that would have info on this topic, but I haven't the first idea where to look!

LetMeBe: Yeah, I can see how it might be a sensitive issue to talk to your boyfriend about. If only there was some way to let him know that you're just curious, and don't mean any offense. It would be so interesting to know if Z has always sneezed like that.

[LetMeBe]

That's so fascinating! I mean, you always hear that deaf people have a hard time speaking because they've never heard the sounds. Maybe it's the same with sneezing? But that would mean that the vocalization that accompanies a sneeze is learned, rather than just natural. I wonder if that's really the case! Maybe we're all born with soundless sneezes, but we learn to vocalize them for some reason. The psych student in me wants to know more!

Haley you might be on to something. I mean think about it...we are taught that the sound of a sneeze is "Achoo". So maybe we replicate that in some way when we do actually sneeze? I have no idea!!! I wanted to ask J if Z ALWAYS sneezes like that but I didn't want to get my head chewed off!

I'm WAY too intrigued by this. I keep thinking about it, wondering about the hows and whys and what ifs. That's so weird if we sneeze like we're SUPPOSED to sneeze lol!

Yeah, I know, right? I only thought of it because I'm doing a minor in Psychology at university, and we talked a lot about learning and language acquisition this year. Now I can't stop wondering if there is a real explanation that's already been discovered, or if anyone has even thought about this. I keep thinking that maybe there's some text or something that would have info on this topic, but I haven't the first idea where to look!

LetMeBe: Yeah, I can see how it might be a sensitive issue to talk to your boyfriend about. If only there was some way to let him know that you're just curious, and don't mean any offense. It would be so interesting to know if Z has always sneezed like that.

I'll try it out and let you guys know what J says about it. Just for clarification, there is a "sound" to Z's sneeze. It's not like a silent movie, the thing is the actual sound isn't vocal. It's literally just the sound of the force of the air and spray leaving his body. Some people sneeze high pitched some people it's cough like etc... for Z...it was nothing. SO WILD!!! And the craziest part to me was that Z will be sneezing his head off and his gf could be right next to him and NOT EVEN KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!! SAD!!!

[starpollen]

I'll try it out and let you guys know what J says about it. Just for clarification, there is a "sound" to Z's sneeze. It's not like a silent movie, the thing is the actual sound isn't vocal. It's literally just the sound of the force of the air and spray leaving his body. Some people sneeze high pitched some people it's cough like etc... for Z...it was nothing. SO WILD!!! And the craziest part to me was that Z will be sneezing his head off and his gf could be right next to him and NOT EVEN KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!! SAD!!!

Yeah. THAT is the crux of the "ridiculously intrigued" part for me. If there was any way to get a recording of it, I'd love to hear what you're describing. Yes, I know it's impossible and not cool to ask for AT ALL based on the situation. But I really am interested both from the psychology standpoint *and* from the fetish perspective. A voiceless sneeze that still has sound? Plus the deaf aspect? (I am moderately proficient at sign language so I'm already interested there) I'd love to delve into this as an academic if it were possible. I understand it isn't, but yes. I am highly curious/intrigued/piqued by the obs.

Again, thanks for posting it!

[emerald]

I am ridiculously intrigued by this. Thanks for sharing!

"Ridiculously intrigued" is the perfect description for how I feel after reading this observation. Thank you so much for sharing, LetMeBe.

[Honkytonklagoon]

Let me add to the ridiculously intriguiness. First, this was a damned well-told obs. And second, it really is a new thought to think that the way we sneeze is learned, the product of socialization.

[LetMeBe]

Joel thanks for bumping this! It reminded me that I have a small update! I was NOT courageous enough to ask J about the sneeze directly... Sorry guys, just not my style... BUT I did ask J if Z could read lips.

J's response was: It depends on the person. He can do a pretty good job of reading lips within our family or people he's well acquainted with but outsiders don't usually know the manner in which to speak to him. Z is the oldest child anyway so I grew up learning sign language. We could always communicate with him ya know?

Me: Yeah i get that. Well is he able to speak at all if he can kind of read lips?

J: No. He doesn't like to make sounds.

Me: So he doesn't make any noises?

J: What are you talking about noises? Like grunts?

J started sounding a little defensive and so I knew it was time to make a subtle change of subject.

Me: No, like words.

J: He doesn't like to make sounds (J repeated this with a sort of attitude. Conversation was over.)

So all I really got from this conversation was that, 1) Z normally doesn't make "noises". 2) He's uncomfortable with the using his voice bc he can't hear himself. 3) I must tread carefully whenever I bring up Z's name, which I won't be doing ever again for a really long time, bc J is likely to get all temperamental.

Sorry to disappoint!

[LetMeBe]

Joel thanks for bumping this! It reminded me that I have a small update! I was NOT courageous enough to ask J about the sneeze directly... Sorry guys, just not my style... BUT I did ask J if Z could read lips.

J's response was: It depends on the person. He can do a pretty good job of reading lips within our family or people he's well acquainted with but outsiders don't usually know the manner in which to speak to him. Z is the oldest child anyway so I grew up learning sign language. We could always communicate with him ya know?

Me: Yeah i get that. Well is he able to speak at all if he can kind of read lips?

J: No. He doesn't like to make sounds.

Me: So he doesn't make any noises?

J: What are you talking about noises? Like grunts?

J started sounding a little defensive and so I knew it was time to make a subtle change of subject.

Me: No, like words.

J: He doesn't like to make sounds (J repeated this with a sort of attitude. Conversation was over.)

So all I really got from this conversation was that, 1) Z normally doesn't make "noises". 2) He's uncomfortable with the using his voice bc he can't hear himself. 3) I must tread carefully whenever I bring up Z's name, which I won't be doing ever again for a really long time, bc J is likely to get all temperamental.

Sorry to disappoint!

[Scion]

Oh my, that does sound pretty awkward...It's not diappointing, though! I totally understand why you wouldn't want to push him! I can also see why he wouldn't want to be talking about his brother sort of behind his back, since he doesn't know why you're asking...well, I don't know!

[Butch]

LetMeBe - Hmm..fascinating. great obs, first.. second...intriguing. But third, yeah..sounds like a bit of a sore subject.. but it's not a disappointment. Very interesting.

[Anonymouse]

I'm sorry J got kind of upset! Z is probably so used to just not making sounds. Like he's probably been sneezing like that for a while so now it just doesn't take any effort.

[Honkytonklagoon]

Thanks for the update anyway, LetMeBe. I guess this is the kind of situation where you'll learn things over a long period of time, mostly by watching and listening. But I think it's been a good lesson for all of us.

[ula]

really interesting...thanks for sharing!

[Anonymouse]

And the craziest part to me was that Z will be sneezing his head off and his gf could be right next to him and NOT EVEN KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!! SAD!!!

As far as I know we don't have any deaf fetishists here... it would be interesting to see if there are any. Depending on how the fetish is acquired they may or may not actually exist. Some people think fetishes are the result of conditioning (ie, something sexual happens while you're witnessing a sneeze so you associate sneezing with sex) but I personally think it's unlikely because there would have to be a few instances of those two things happening sequentially, not just one random, happenstance event. But if there are absolutely no fetishists who were deaf from birth, who could never hear a sneeze (of course they would see the visuals but that's only a part of it), that might point to something happening in childhood. If there are genetically deaf fetishists than that might support a biological theory for the origin of the fetish.

I'm really curious now.

[count tiszula]

A bit late here, and I wonder if I'm missing the point, but surely many sneezes are completely unvoiced, in particular the type of very girly sneezes which are so cherished by many of us. I mean that the sneeze sound derives entirely from the noise of the lovely spray being expelled from the orifices, and the vocal chords and throat generally are not involved.

I suppose that this might indeed be more likely [except amongst the girly] if the person were completely unused to using the vocal chords. My observation is that even the girliest of sneezers tends to develop vocalisation in maturity, by the by.