WWU researchers say musical 'ear worms' triggered by environmental cues

Ever wonder why certain songs get stuck in your head?

A psychology professor at Western Washington University has found that it's the songs people know and like that most often become intrusive.

Professor Ira Hyman found that the intrusive songs, or "earworms," often are triggered by environmental cues, such as hearing words that remind us of the song's lyrics, and were most likely heard recently.