How TV and Movies get their sound effects

It is official! I now understand where some of the sci fi sound effects come from. The new version of Dr. Who on sci fi has dahlinks (phonetic spelling works wonders) in it and they all have mechanical voices. Okay, they sound interesting, nothing a synthesizer can't easily do. But what made someone think to use that?

Answer: Person had allergies and it plugged up their ear drums!

One ear is plugged at about 80% currently, other ear at about 40%. Everything I listen to sounds like the dahlinks and it DEFINITELY makes you pay attention to the TV show more as you go "what in blue blazes is THAT sound????"

The things you find out when allergy season arrives :)