Computer issue-I can't hear sound except in itunes

[Cumberland]

Here's hoping someone else might have had this problem. I can hear sound on my computer with only certain programs like itunes. I just played an audio file on tmz.com and could hear that fine, but could not hear the sound when I played a video on tmz a minute later. I can't hear sound on pretty much any website, but I can always hear anything I play on itunes.

When i go to the audio settings in the control panel, the whole thing is in gray as if there were no speakers installed- although they are there and work fine when i want to play an audio only file.

This just sort of up and happened and doesnt appear to be related to anything except possibly itunes.

Please tell me there is some easy fix like a box to uncheck???