by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
A man wrote:
My 70ish mother has just started ‘hearing’ phantom singing. She is hearing hymns sung by angels and sometimes the beating of drums. She is a church-goer and as long as i can remember has been humming hymns at home.
A few months ago she became aware she was ‘hearing’ faint singing, but now it has gotten more serious. I say serious because she had no idea of what was going on. First she thought the house had an evil spirit, then she thought she was going to die because the hymns that she sings speak of going ‘home’ and those same hymns are being sung in her ear by phantom angels accompanied at times by phantom drums.
She is healthy and is not going to die. Although God’s will is His will, she will not die because of the words in the hymns.
What’s funny is she only ‘hears’ the music and singing when it’s quiet and the heater or fridge kicks in, or water is running. Somehow those noises translate into music, then singing. Otherwise if there’s noise throughout the house, or she’s busy or even gets out of the house, she doesn’t hear the phantom singing.
Your mom’s experience and her interpretation of what she is “hearing” is not all that uncommon. Depending on their religious backgrounds, people jump to various spiritual interpretations of the phantom sounds they hear. However, the truth is that these sounds all are coming from inside her brain. Her auditory circuits are receiving some information from her memory. Thus she is “hearing” these phantom sounds as though they were real sounds.
It is not uncommon for people to hear hymns if they have been church goers and like hymns. She already had these hymns firmly in her memory long before she began experiencing Musical Ear Syndrome.
Again, depending on their religious background, some people believe that they hear angels singing beautiful music in the days or hours before they are going to die. This may be true in some cases—but I believe that the vast majority of people that hear such sounds are really experiencing Musical Ear Syndrome. I guess the proof would be if the person died soon after hearing this “heavenly music”—but in my experience this has not happened. So, like you, I don’t believe your mom has to worry about dying at this point.
I’m finding that more and more people are sensitive to constant background sounds like the furnace or fridge or air conditioner cycling on and off. These “fan running” type of background sounds trigger are a result of her brain trying to make sense of these sounds by matching them to a pattern already in her auditory system. This pattern match may be “way out” and thus her brain forces the fan sounds into a musical mold. The result is that while the furnace/fan/etc. are running, she hears music. This is perfectly natural, and occurs in numbers of people. The fancy name for this condition is audio pareidolia. You can read more about this fascinating condition in my article on the subject at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/apophenia-audio-pareidolia-and-musical-ear-syndrome/ .
Since your mom only hears the phantom music and singing when the furnace cycles on or the fridge is running, this shows that it is a “physical” condition, not a spiritual one.
Fortunately, she only hears such sounds when the house is otherwise silent apart from the furnace or fridge running. When she is busy doing various activities, her brain is busy too. It has no time to produce the phantom sounds. However, when she is not busy doing something and the house is quiet apart from the fridge or furnace running, her brain again manufactures the phantom music.
One solution, once she understands what is happening, is for her to keep a radio or the TV on in the background to give her brain real sounds to listen to so it doesn’t feel the need to manufacture these phantom sounds.
In any case, once she understands what is happening, she is free to enjoy the phantom music if she so chooses—or to “drown it out” with real sounds if she doesn’t.
Some people love their phantom music; some just tolerate it; and others can’t stand it. If she’s in the first group, it makes life so much easier.
She can learn much more about the strange Musical Ear Syndrome sounds she hears and ways to bring them under control in my book, “Phantom Voices, Ethereal Music & Other Spooky Sounds“.
I sometimes hear beautiful music when I am showering, whilst the water is running….
Hi Chrissy:
Cool, isn’t it? This is your brain trying to find meaningful patterns in the sounds of the water. And it your case it comes out as beautiful music. Other people hear musical sounds in water tinckling from a tap or other source.
See my reply to Allison (above) regarding how your brain does this.
Cordially,
Neil
Dr. Neal brother in Christ why is it so hard for you to believe that it’s a medical problem and not the work of the Holy Spirit bringing peace comfort and joy
Hi Renee:
When you have heard from as many thousands of people as I have that report phantom music, you begin to see the commonalities in all these reports–and for almost all of them, there is no doubt that it is a medical cause, in spite of what the people think is the cause.
However, in the very rare case, it can be the work of the Holy Spirit, and I’m not against this at all. It’s just that as I said, its the very rare case–not the vast majority of people reporting hearing hymns sung. One of the clues lies in whether whole songs are sung or just portions of them. Another is whether the same song is sung over and over again endlessly. These two things indicate it is a medical problem, not a spiritual experience–even though the music is wonderful in both cases.
Cordially,
Neil
My goodness, “Dr Neil”. You are going way too far out of your way to convince everybody that it’s all in their head. Truth is, you have absolutely no idea. Isn’t it quite arrogant to think you know so much just because your a so called “western doctor?” I appreciate your medical background but unfortunately western medicine these days has most things wrong. Stop thinking like a doctor, it’s such a limited perspective
Hi Brad:
Of course it’s all in your head–that’s where you brain is, where you mind is, where you perceive sounds of all kinds whether real or phantom–so it has to be in your head! What’s the problem?
I think the arrogance is on your part–assuming that you know so much after reading one blog post and presumably a few comments below it. And your ignorance is just as great. For example, if you had bothered to read this website, you’d know that I am not a fan of western medicine at all. Furthermore, I am not a medical doctor so don’t blame me for the shortcomings of western medicine.
When I answer questions, I tell the truth as near as I know. My opinions are based, not on fanciful thinking, but on my many years studying these phenomena from both a physical and a spiritual perspective, and my dealing with thousands of people that have told me their experiences of hearing phantom sounds. Thus, I have some understanding of the differences between the various kinds of sounds people hear.
If you disagree with my conclusions, that is fine. Feel free to do so. But don’t accuse me of arrogance, just because you don’t know the answers and thus think that no one knows. It’s small minds that attack the person and not address the problem. If you have evidence to support a different position, state it and show why my position needs to be modified. I’m always willing to learn more.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi there,for the past week I have been hearing a beautiful church choir..I think it’s God protecting me from something..but it’s clear sounds of trumpets everything
Hi Sean:
Cool! Enjoy.
What are you “hearing”–full pieces or just parts of pieces? Is what you are hearing always the same, or is each hymn different than before?
Cordially,
Neil
I agree. I have heard phantom noises but they have sounded like a commentator of some sort. The two times I heard the angels singing there was no fan no nothing on, it brought me to tears it was so beautiful
this article is about fans kicking in and our brain making a melody out of it but there was this one time when I was laying in bed and all of the sounds around me cut out I heard angelic music out of nowhere it was dim but I could hear it I was just confused about it it could be musical ear syndrome but the way how it sounded was something I never heard in my life
Hi Daniel:
What you heard sounds much more like MES than audio pareidolia–unless there was another faint sound source that your brain latched on to and let you hear this beautiful music.
I doubt it was angels singing, but you never know. It sort of gets me that people “know” that it was angels singing when they’ve never heard angels singing before. They just imagine that is what angels singing should sound like–but they’ve no proof that angels even sing.
Cordially,
Neil
Yes me tooI’m hear at the farm all the time I thought I was going crazy what song are you please help me with these noises sometimes I cannot sleep 💤
Hi Therresa:
Why can you not sleep if you are hearing beautiful music. Just relax and enjoy it. If you want to try to stop it, play some real music and listen to that as you fall asleep.
Cordially,
Neil
My Aunt has heard heavenly music since her husband has past. Now she is hearing trumpets playing. She says the heavenly music lifts you up that she just can’t explain it. I don’t believe it is this musical ear syndrome. I believe that our Heavenly Father surrounds us with angels to comfort us. As far as trumpets God’s word tells us in many scriptures about the trumpets. I think many people are also gifted of certain things with and from the Lord. So I think we must be careful about saying it could be musical ear syndrome. I am trying to explain from a Christin stand point of gifts from our Heavenly Father.
Hi Tredeker:
Has your aunt ever been to Heaven? No? Then how does she know what heavenly music sounds like? All she is really saying is that what she is hearing is HER concept of what heavenly music might sound like. We need to be careful not to substitute our ideas for Biblical truth.
Ditto for your statement “I believe that our Heavenly Father surrounds us with angels to comfort us.” Where in the Bible do you find a basis for this? It is true that angels are “ministering spirits” to help us at times, but the Bible teaches us that it is the Holy Spirit that comforts us, not angels.
Trumpets in the Bible are generally used for announcing royalty–for example, for announcing Jesus at both His first and soon to be second coming. So again you are reading into “hearing trumpets” something that the Bible isn’t teaching us.
What “gifting” is she receiving? Hearing “heavenly music” may indeed be a special gift from the Lord, but where in the Bible do you read of anyone being “gifted” in this way.
I think rather than saying “we must be careful about saying it could be Musical Ear Syndrome”, we must be careful of assuming normal MES experiences are of heavenly origin.
Having said all the above, I believe God can (and does) give some people heavenly music to listen to, and I know some of these people and have heard their experiences (and maybe your aunt is hearing this), but at the same time I have heard from thousands of people who have experienced MES and heard many of the hymns of the faith, but this is not heavenly music, as wonderful as it sounds.
Cordially,
Neil
I have heard great, awesome songs nobody else has ever heard from above. I I can’t always hear what they are sing, but when I can it’s very soothing. I’m not a psychic, I could never sing or musically put down all that I have heard. The Angel’s sing all types of music to me except for rap. Sometimes they rock out, sometimes it’s a whole choir, sometimes it sounds like Gregorian monks, sometimes it sounds in a foreign tongue. I was not always a believer in Christ until the voices told me to praise him. Explain that! Not everything can be explained with science!
Hi Dee:
When you hear phantom music, you may THINK you are hearing angels singing, but that is only your thoughts. You don’t have any concrete evidence that what you are hearing is real or phantom. You perceive it as real, but that is just your perception.
Furthermore, I have never heard of anyone reporting that have SEEN angels actually singing, so if you only hear songs being sung, and never see who is doing the singing, there is no way you can tell they are angels. You just assume you are hearing angels based on your previous beliefs.
I agree that not everything can be explained by what we call science, but you have not explained anything concrete about angels singing–just that you think you hear angels singing and you have no evidence to back it up. For all you know, your brain is making it up–and that is Musical Ear Syndrome.
Cordially,
Neil
I posted once about how I exposed the music through the electrical systems but I just wanted to say that people automatically think it’s angels because that’s the only logical reference they can make of it for me personally, I can say that I hear a choir with dozens of people singing for sure that doesn’t necessarily correlate to angels that’s more of a spiritual belief. I think the most important point to make is that I have proven that there is musical harmonics coming through the electrical system of the devices. If you doubt me, which I expect you would just start asking and calling around to electrical or electronic engineers, and ask them if what I’m saying is possible, I believe once you hear what they have to say, it may open your mind and possibly change how you practice medicine sincerely, TONY HONEYCUTT
Hi Tony:
You may have thought you exposed music coming through the electrical system, but you didn’t explain how we can hear these supposed electrical signals. There needs to be a transducer to convert this electrical energy into mechanical energy and send it through the air to our ears. We do not hear electrical energy (signals), we hear via sound waves traveling through the air.
And you assume that everyone will hear the same hymn you hear, but have you found anyone that even hears any hymns though your air purifier? Or even any music or singing? Most people will just hear fan or motor sounds.
Furthermore, you hear “a choir of dozens of people singing”. Assuming that was true, why would those be angels? You said yourself you heard “people”. If it were true, you’d be hearing the saints singing, not the angels as the Bible never reports that angels sing, but the saints do.
If you had read my writings carefully, you’d know I’m not a medical doctor and do NOT practice medicine.
The truth is that when you hear music, singing, voices coming through a device that has an electrical motor or fan, you are experiencing audio pareidolia. It is not ethereal sounds from heaven. God doesn’t need to use electrical appliances for us to hear His music!
Cordially,
Neil
My sister and I, unbeknownst to each other, heard the most beautiful choir of angels singing that surrounded us when we were children. It happened approx. 3 times. Each time it happened I laid in bed thinking that my sister was sleeping. The singing would never happen if we were anxiously anticipating it, only when it was the furthermost thing on our minds. On the 3rd night I finally asked me sister if she was awake and if she could hear the singing. She turned to me and said yes.. I’ve heard it several times. It is good to have corroboration of these events because not everything is explained away by science… sometimes you need to have faith in alternative explanations.
I also have heard music since I was a child and it didn’t matter if I was outside or in the house and I was probably about 17 18 the first time I heard angels singing and I was sleeping it woke me up it was about a dream I was having and I could hear the singing all through the dream about Jesus coming also had a vision with it mini spiritual things have happened to me in my life that some people would Mark me as crazy. I felt alone about it for the longest time and never told anyone and I really have only told a handful of people but I hear it almost everyday now I am 66 years old I live out in the country
I have had the same experience. I noticed that whenever I would turn off the water, the sound goes away. It’s only happened a few times though.
I also am in my 70’s and am a professional woman
and for the past 15 years have successfully held
2 jobs, one of them requires a tremendous amount of continuing and ongoing schooling and education.
I do have a hearing problem; however; about 1 and a half years ago I started hearing music, beautiful music and sounds like numerous chorus’. The music is incrediby beautiful as though many many
voices singing various singing such as Oh glory, Oh glory. There are other phrases of singing that I hear as though the singing is of a praising manner.
I did not tell anyone about this. I then one day told my children. A few months later I found on the internet reports of a gentleman who had tapes in his posession of angels singing in four or five locations at church services in different areas of the world. Then I was told by a young man with whom I work, that this subject was being discussed on a radio program in Los Angeles CA, that others are hearing the same type of music and it is not known from where it is coming. Truly it is the most beautiful music that I have ever heard and could well be angelic!
Hi Roseanne:
What you are hearing is Musical Ear Syndrome sounds, not angels. See my reply to Allison (above).
Cordially,
Neil
I started to hear such wonderful music as well about a month ago after praying to God. I was depressed. I basically told that I have done my best to follow you and lost everything, and no longer have no choice, I told God that I will worship whomever if they get my out of this Parvati and fell asleep but when I woke up it was like a choir, sometimes me, boys but I never listened to that type of music ever in my life except to have heard a little just to shut it off. But the funny thing is that I am hearing contemporary songs that does not exsist and amazing lead guitar, cord progressions strings, like a keyboard synthesizer and everything sounds like it’s been mastered with reverb effects, so cool. So sometimes a melody would start playing and I would pick up my guitar and I can learn from it how cool is that. Keep in mind that these songs has not been written or recorded that are from somewhere and many have wonderful hook melodies. This is not my brain producing sounds because everything is precise, the drums, strings, the lead guitar even has reverb, delay and I have never heard these songs in my life.
Hi Alex:
What you describe still sounds to me like Musical Ear Syndrome. But I’d like more background about how it started and when you hear it now–all the time? just at night? After taking medications? When you are depressed? etc., etc.
You brain is a wonderful organ and can make up all kinds of stuff. For example, you say it has reverb and delay. Well, you know what that is, so your brain obviously knows about it and thus can produce it.
Cordially,
Neil
Sorry, this is all wrong. I spoken to Jesus in a dream as he took me to heaven. My spritual body. I was fully alert. I saw Angels singing and playing all kinds of instruments. I even asked Jesus what is the name of certain instruments that I didn’t know. He told me. After, I awaken I went on the internet and sure was right along with the exact instruments. Moreover, the music of Harps he named, Base Mass and much more start playing as it was coming from the sky way up high. After, everyday non-stop I get mulitple Choirs singing with males, females, and children. I even saw Aretha Franklin in heaven. I was like Wow! Wow! Who get a chance to see the queens of music. Anyhow, I hear songs like Hallelujah, The King, Band Be Marching On, Silent Night, Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace and much more. This been going on for some time now. Well, God named me Spiritual Child because I have gifts. I been writing songs from heaven since age 17. Now, I’m finally going to sing them including writing a book on the Holy Spirit because Jesus talks to me in parables. Yes! It’s amazing when you go to see the Glory you come back with more gifts. I have no idea where the Lord is taking me. But I’m fully protected. I do Intercessory Prayer in communities, nursing homes and much more. So! He given me Salvation and told me I’m fine. Therefore, Jesus says’ believe no man because they are liars. He told me the only teacher I need is to ask the Holy Spirit. No man can teach what I must know. Lastly, I’m 48 now and working hard and soon be able to help out homeless people and much more. This is my goal. To provide for whoever in need. I can’t love God and Money. Please think about what you tell people. Mamkind come up with these strange names to label each other conditions. Only God knows. Ask the Father. God bless..
Oh! I hear perfect.
Saint Cecilia
Hi Priscilla:
You are completely mixing up two different things. The “phantom” music people hear that I am talking about in this article is based on real background sounds such as fans and motors running which their brains pattern-match to various kinds of music–whether sacred or secular. This is a real phenomenon and is called audio pareidolia. It has nothing to do with spiritual experiences.
You are talking about dreams and other religious experiences which is something totally different. You need to be careful not to mix the two up.
Some people “hear” truly phantom music–which I call Musical Ear Syndrome. Again it can be sacred music/songs or secular. These kinds of phantom music–often the result of losing some hearing–are not religious experiences either–but are the result of things getting mixed up between your auditory circuits and memory circuits in your brain.
Many people hear the songs and hymns they heard in their childhood. Thus it should be no surprise that many people hear various kinds of sacred music and hymns. You are no different. That is why you hear hymns such as “Silent Night, Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace and much more”.
Changing the subject a bit, I’d like to address some your remarks regarding your understanding of theology.
You state that “God named me Spiritual Child because I have gifts”. You have it backwards to say the least. You become a spiritual child of God when you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior–being born into God’s family. You don’t become a “spiritual child” because you have gifts. It is God that gives gifts to His children.
You say that “Jesus talks to me in parables”. Why would He? Your Bible teaches that Jesus spoke to unregenerate people in parables, but He talked plainly to his disciples and explained the parables that he had spoken to the unregenerate masses.
You say, “when you go to see the Glory you come back with more gifts”. I don’t know where you are getting that from–certainly not the Bible. When Paul was caught up to the third heaven and saw “glory” he didn’t come back with more gifts. In fact, God gave him a “thorn in the flesh” to keep him humble after seeing such wonderful things.
You say, “Jesus says’ believe no man because they are liars.” That is taken out of context. Jesus never said not to believe any men because they always lie. For example when you go to school and learn that 2 plus 2 = 4, that is not a lie–and it was taught to you by “men”. This only refers to where God says one thing and man says something different. It is then that you always believe God and not man. But when men teach the truth, they are not liars.
You need to carefully study you Bible so you know what God is really teaching, and not rely on some dreams and weird religious experiences.
You say, “Please think about what you tell people. Mankind come up with these strange names to label each other conditions. Only God knows. Ask the Father.”
I very carefully do think about what I tell people. And I ask God to show me the truth before I write what I write so I can truly help people–both in matters pertaining to our ears and in spiritual matters.
Cordially,
Neil (or Saint Neil if you want to be technical about it since I am a born-again believer, who, in the Bible, are called saints.)
I’m mid 40s and went through about 3 months of hearing angels singing…came on gradually and then became a daily experience for about 3 months and then suddenly stopped. This wasn’t music I was used to listening to….I miss it now
The good doctor is 100% right check back now with Covid going on I have a dehumidifier running all the time and I get a text with the same song ringtone avg 30 times a day. I now hear that ringtone. I’ve since changed that ringtone for sanity reasons.I need a new 10 second melody in my head Every day. With people sleep patterns messed up it ,probably enhances it.
I am 91 years old and recently started hearing these phantom sounds….Patriotic and hymns of long ago…THEN I heard a few 40’s songs that I loved. I had recorded my singing of “ALWAYS” AND “TOGETHER” FOR MY HUSBAND WHO DIED 12 YEARS AGO.”..ALSO – we were on a cruise years ago and I sang WITH THE BAND “TRUE LOVE” TO HIM as he sat in a chair on stag with my arm around his shouldere…..I was shocked that these special songs were ‘in my head’…..I was a pastor’s wife 56 years and love music….The hymns are all familiar…I wondered if they would play “UNDER HIS WINGS’ which was sung at my mother’s funeral and also at my husband’s and will be sung at mine….With just that thought, it was sung immediately!! This article has helped me – I keep my TV going…and keep a sound machine by my bed at night….As I go about daily I ONLY hear it when it is QUIET….Hope this will help someone who reads it….I am READY for Heaven and if this is a reminder to me, SO BE IT….I can handle that too!!!!
This started for me about a month ago and I hated it. Classical and baroque are my musical choices and that isn’t what I was getting at first. I began to hear a bit of Beethoven and some unidentifiable piano pieces. I relaxed into it. Now it has evolved into something quite lovely that I can control, to a degree. If I don’t like what I’m hearing I can “ask” for something else by title and I usually hear it immediately. Or, if I want a “new” selection I can sing part of it, wait a bit and then it comes. It’s miraculous! I’m of Polish descent and I’ve tried to get it to do some of the old Polish music I grew up on. No dice! It will not do Polish!
At bedtime I can ask for something specific, something soft, and it almost ale always happens.
There is one “problem singer,” though, a male baritone, who just shrieks. He’s hard to shut up and he’s horrible. I can’t sing over him, but I’ve found that if I keep singing what I want to hear, I can wear him down. He’s the only negative factor of this “gift.” And, given the choice of “regular” tinnitus or what I’ve been given, well, the choice is clear.
I hear what sounds like angels singing coming out of my heater sometimes… But only sometimes… Interestingly I usually meditate and pray with this heater nearby and directed at me… I wondered if somehow the angels could use this instrument to be a vehicle to sing through… But when I hear it its more of a harmonizing choir without the use of words or instruments…. And I’m always feeling very still n quiet when I do hear it… I’m only 38 though… And I think it has more to do with quieting down in life, most people’s lives get more calm n still as they get older, in this state perhaps its more possible to hear things a person with a busier, noisier, life n mind possibly wouldn’t. And I don’t have any known hearing problems… I do however often sit quietly in meditation and don’t surround myself with lots of noise… Anyway, those are my thoughts on it…
Hi Allison:
It would be nice if the angels would sing through your heater, but they aren’t. What is happening is that your brain is hearing the sounds from the fan in the heater and modulating it into music–in other words trying to find a pattern to what you are hearing. One proof of this is that you hear “a harmonizing choir without the use of words or instruments”. Your brain is not making clear sense of what it thinks it is hearing, so you hear vague musical sounds. You are not alone in hearing such things. I too hear that kind of thing when I am flying–the noise of the jets is modulated by my brain and I hear vague music. Even driving down the road with the driver’s window open can give me vague music as my brain tries to make sense in the patterns of sound of the road noise.
Some people get the same thing from motors and fans in their furnaces and air conditioners and fridges in the kitchen, etc. It is far from a rare occurrence. You can learn more about this phenomenon by reading a related article of mine called Apophenia, Audio Pareidolia and Musical Ear Syndrome
Cordially,
Neil
Interesting comments.
Love them.
i seem to hear the church music before some one dies … it happens all the time
Hi Shelley:
Maybe you are hearing church music at those times, or maybe you just particularly notice it and coincidentally someone dies and you just have MES. Who knows?
Cordially,
Neil
In mysticism God reveals himself in the form of light and sound. Eastern religions believe in such experiences but they can’t be proven scientifically and thus are disproved.
Hi Harman:
Some people when they are dying do indeed hear heavenly music. That is not MES. But people that are not dying and hear “angels singing”, when I investigate further, have all the attributes of MES. So their MES just takes the form of hearing hymns.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi my 90 yr old Mom, who is almost deaf, told me about hearing beautiful music. She’s not a religious person, and the room was quiet when she heard the music. It’s freaking me out!
Hi Elaine:
From what you have said, it sounds like your mom has Musical Ear Syndrome. It is very common in elderly people with some degree of hearing loss. It is nothing to be worried about. It is NOT a sign of mental illness or dementia, etc. Rather, it is just the auditory system not working quite right and gets memory circuits crossed with the auditory circuits.
Read more about it in my article at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/musical-ear-syndrome-the-phantom-voices-ethereal-music-other-spooky-sounds-many-hard-of-hearing-people-secretly-experience/ .
Cordially,
Neil
Do you know why it only sounds like a choir of angels singing to us rather than any other type of music that sounds beautiful to us
Hi Em:
Some people only hear “angels” singing. Others hear human choirs or quartets or solos. Some hear big band music, others military music, others orchestral music others stringed instruments, etc. There is an endless variety. Some people hear all kinds of music and singing and people talking.
In your case, I guess you hear what you imagine sounds like angelic choirs. That’s just the way it is.
Cordially,
Neil
I am 40 years old, I don’t have hearing problems and I am a professional woman. I was woken up last night at 5.30am by the sounds of a choir of male voices singing which I believe to be angels. It lasted for 5 seconds, with a single tone full of strength and praise, a sound that sounded eternal as if they were forever singing. I am not a full flown church goer but I believe in God. Please don’t try to find a logical explanation for piercing a thin veil which can only be done through the pair of belief. And by the way I am not dying..as far as I am aware.
Hi Kasey:
I rather doubt you heard angels singing. It sounds more like MES. And for your information, in the Bible, there is no mention of angels ever singing. They may, but the Bible does not mention that. I once did an exhaustive search for any mention of angels singing, And I couldn’t find a single reference. All the places that mentioned angels making sounds, the words used (whether Greek or Hebrew) were equivalent to our English word “talking”, not singing. All mention of singing in the heavenly realms is done by redeemed people, not angels. After all, we do have something to sing about.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi Neil
Thank you for your response. By the way, I have perfect hearing and can even distinguish types of planes by the sounds they make before they arrive. I have never experienced MES and what I heard last night was the clear sound of male voices singing together in a choir. This never happened to me before until yesterday. I am not sure why you comment on the bible since I never mentioned it but since you state that you undertook an exhaustive search and could not find references to angels singing, I suggest you refer to the following verses:
.Revelation5:8-11
.Revelation5:11
.Revelation15:1-3
.Revelation 5:13
If you need any more let me know.
You either believe you heard angels or you try and find a logical explanation. I think that a lot of people can hear the singing because they are finally seeking spiritual closeness with God and have the time to meditate and reflect which helps us to get closer spiritually. I think it’s a blessing to hear these sounds and nothing to worry about.
I am not a person that is in the habit of making things up and I know what I heard. Unfortunately you either believe or you don’t and that’s a personal choice.
All the best
Hi Kasey:
You just proved my point that angels are never recorded in the Bible as singing by the very verses you list. In Revelation 5:8-9 notice who was singing–the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders (who are people), neither of which are angels. Then in verses 11-12 you have a multitude of angels and as verse 12 states, “SAYING with a loud voice”, not singing. The same in verse 13, “I heard SAYING”, not singing.
Going over to Revelation 15:1-3, note that the people who are singing are not angels but redeemed people. You need to read the Bible very carefully or you can easily be led astray by your own preconceived ideas, and not by the clear words of Scripture.
As I said, there is no mention in the Bible of angels ever singing.
I’m not doubting you heard a piece of a men’s choir (and MES can sound exactly as you described), but I sincerely doubt it was angels singing. You are free to believe what you want. Just know that believing something is true doesn’t make it true.
Cordially,
Neil
Neil Bauman, Thank you for all this information, I am 89 yrs old and do wear hearing aids. I have this beautiful orchestra music most of the time. I am happy to know its not just me! Thank you so much.
This morning upon waking the first thing I heard was beautiful singing in my head, it was very clear and short also very harmonious like the chorus of Angels. The only words I heard was ‘The King is removed’ then it stopped. I truly believe this was a message from my Angels and nothing more. There was no other noise around everything was still and silent
Hi Beth:
You are free to believe what you want, but that doesn’t make it true. What makes you think that “my angles” are singing to you? Is this something that happens to you often?
The fact that you heard beautiful singing, yet could only identify one phrase, and itself not making sense, leads me to believe that you are hearing MES sounds like so many thousands of others do.
Cordially,
Neil
Since my sister died unexpectedly, my mother has heard heaven music. Especially on my decased sister’s birthday, my deaceased brother’s death anniversay and when my mother had a mass said for both deaceased childen. My mother is very religious and says the rosary……I think god is comforting her…. God wants us to know that there is life after death… we are convinced it is spiritual and no musical ear sydrome. This has happed ever since my sister’s passing.
Hi Cheryl:
I don’t doubt that God does at times send comforting music to His children. But, at the same time, I doubt that a lot of what is ascribed to God as heavenly music is really MES.
I think the easy way to tell is that MES music is typically repeated endlessly, whereas God’s heavenly music would be one song after another, not just pieces repeated endlessly.
Stress is definitely a trigger of MES so on the anniversaries of the deaths of family members, your mom is feeling more stress and therefore is susceptible to MES sounds.
But now you know how to tell MES from God’s music. Remember, many people hear their MES as hymns.
Cordially,
Neil
You are right. The heavenly music that I hear keeps repeating itself. I suffer from hearing loss.
I tend to disagree with you Neil!
My father…days before he died told me….Mary do you hear the music…I said no dad I don’t hear music….He says its a beautiful sound of a choir!!!
He died a few days later!!!
Hi Mary:
Feel free to disagree with me. I don’t mind. If you’ve read all the comments, you’ll see that I don’t disagree that God at times does send “heavenly music” to His dying children. But it is not all that often from what I have been able to determine.
However, upon investigation, a lot of what people say is “angels singing” turns out to be MES and not angels. Remember, there is NO reference in the Bible to angels EVER singing. That is just something people made up themselves and decided to believe–but has no basis in fact.
Cordially,
Neil
Sid Roth, a messianic Jew, has a TV show called It’s Supernatural. You might find it intriguing. There are many many instances of his guests dying and visiting heaven and coming back… and angelic visitations at night. Even healthy people, sleeping in their own beds at night, have recounted choirs of angels not just waking them up and singing to them, but appearing to them and their light fills up the room without incandescent lighting. Many have clearly seen and talked to God’s heavenly messengers, and see them in the daytime as they go about their ministry. Indeed, it is scriptural that everyone, even nonbelievers, have at LEAST one angel assigned to them. “Their angels are always seeing the face of God and are in his presence… so see that you do not offend the least of them”
Hi Dave:
And your point is? I’m well aware of all this. But the people talking about their phantom music don’t report any such things as seeing angels, or light, or talking to them, etc.
They hear repetitive songs over and over again–and I think you’ll find that people that hear what you are decribing are not hearing the same thing over and over again endlessly.
You have to listen very carefully to what people say, and read between the lines to determine whether they are hearing angelic choirs or they simply have MES.
And as I’ve said before, there is no place in the Bible where angels are ever mentioned as singing so when people say they hear angels singing, I have great doubt in my mind that that is what they are really hearing.
Cordially,
Neil
Oct 7 2019 I was awaken by a voice singing , there is a God he is Holly.
Dear Neil, thank you for your posts. I have to agree that probably most times we hear music that sounds angelic is MES. I have experienced that and have gone to the work to see where it is coming from . I usually find it.
However, there is a specific instance when I really did hear the angels sing to me. My husband and I love to share the good news of Jesus Christ to other people in other countries. We were being taken into Kalmykia a Russian province which was a strong Buddha territory. We were being driven in a small car by a kalmekian for hours in the middle of the night. Because they are a very poor country with very little electricity it was very dark. This man had his kalmekian radio station blaring and of course we could not understand any of the words.
At times he would stop the car and open his trunk. I had no idea what he was doing. I felt very vulnerable and very afraid knowing he could do anything to us and no one would know what happened to us. I was in the backseat with my two small daughters trying to remain calm and help them sleep. My husband was in the front seat with the driver.
I remember tears running down my face as I prayed for safety for my family. All at once the radio got staticky and then song in English came on. First of all, please know there were no other English songs played the entire trip and this group of people don’t understand any English.
This song was the most beautiful song I have ever heard and I will never forget it. The words that were sung were “my angels are watching over you.” Yes the words were repeated over and over but the melody and harmony and rhythm changed throughout the song. I so badly wanted to ask my husband what he thought but I was so captivated by the beautiful music that I couldn’t bring myself to disturb him.
The music was like surround sound and wasn’t like the staticky radio. It was crystal clear. As I listened I looked out into the black night and knew this song was meant for me…that it was a miracle.
When it came to an end, maybe a couple minutes later I asked my husband “did you hear that beautiful music?” And he said “what music?” I couldn’t believe it! That is when I knew I heard the angels sing.
I have never doubted that this happened…it was so real to me. I will never forget the beautiful singing. It was a quality of another world. The harmony was so beautiful, gentle and angelic.
I believe that the Lord wanted me to know that His angels were taking care of us as we shared the wonderful news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to these precious people.
Thanks for letting me share this amazing true story with you. God will do whatever He desires to encourage his children.
Sharon
Hey, I wss walking down the street with my friends in the middle of the night. At we start hearing alot of men singing and shouting, do you now if its something bad or good. Thanks
Hi Talia:
If a bunch of you all hear the same thing, then I think you are hearing real sounds. If only you heard this sounds, it could be MES or something related to it such as audio pareidolia.
Cordially,
Neil
Well… I would write this off as what the previous commenters hypothesized. However, considering what she is hearing I’m not so sure. I have for many years thought myself ‘agnostic’, but have been experiencing many things that have caused a desperate spiritually search. I’ve heard simular things… however, it was not faint… I heard what I’m inclined to think may have been angelic voices singing “… hear the trumpets are blowing…hear the bell/sirens ring… hear the choir singing… telling all its time to leave… The time has come for this world to end..” Amoung other things I also have heard drumming… almost like war drums or something… The singing she heard may have meant “Home” as in “heaven”, not death.
And I didn’t know that angelic singing was a thing… I actually only found this post because I decided to see if others had similar experiences biblically or otherwise… I’m not a believer in the Bible although my family is… I’m beginning to strongly consider its validity though considering the madness I have been been undergoing… Either I’m undergoing a legitimate/drastic spiritual change/awakening or I’ve lost my mind.
Hi Chris:
Continue on your spiritual journey towards faith in Christ and experience peace of mind. The alternative is not nice. The key to this is to read the Bible. You need to build your faith–and “faith comes by hearing [reading] the Word of God”. Don’t worry about what other people say/think–just read your Bible and the Holy Spirit will guide you into the truth.
I don’t rule out “heavenly music”, but from all the things I know about Musical Ear Syndrome and the Christian life, I think that MOST people that think they are experiencing “heavenly music” are really experiencing Musical Ear Syndrome sounds.
Cordially,
Neil
This isn’t so much musical ear syndrome, I am also neither a believer or disbeliever. I am a science until science can no longer explain, like the big bang and what was before, how the universe never ends yet what lies beyond, or the missing link for the new brain.
I can’t put all of my everyhting into ONE THING, when there are so many other variances. Or a Devine being/god leaving out so many based on things so trivial.
So the musical ear syndrome makes a ton of sense to me. The fact our brains need to or try to make sense of what we are hearing goes hand in hand with survival.
In complete silence (no white noise) I have “heard” words or phrases yelled loudly. I am usually tired so I assume it has something to do with that and have not had much other thought to it.
I went to church for a little while as a kid until our pastor was removed because he was cool essentially.
But another question I always ponder is if you cannot find the path to god and heaven without having been given or reading a bible, what happens to all those people who live in third world countries or places where no book or word or Christian god has reached? What happened to those who lived before christianity and the written bible?
I just genuinely believe in kindness and goodness and knowing and practicing right from wrong is what makes you worthy of a ticket to a good place after this.
I do not believe repenting some monstrous acts can give you a pass, when other good people suffer because “civilized society ” has reached them.
It just makes no sense to me.
I believe that having a good and kind soul and practicing kindness no matter what is key.
And I believe Jeusus was a real person.
The Son of god, I am unsure of (not trying to offend anyone in any way, neither am I trying to offend anyone in my previous comments, I am open to all and everything as a possibility)
I believe Jesus was a great human being, and some (not you or anyone here specifically) pretend to preach on his behalf, also in his name, but they do not actually follow his footsteps, practice what he stood for, kindness and acceptance.
That is kindness and acceptance and love in my eyes is what makes someone “good” and “worthy” of a greater love.
Back to the point of your great article, many to most, if not all are just having MES, but there could easily be those who god speaks to.
I don’t think I’m one of them, but I swear one time Mary was standing at the foot of my bed with her arms opened to me.
Another crazy spiritual moment was before I showed symptoms of pregnancy or knew I was, I looked out the window at the moon and had a moment of hypnotism as the clouds moved in front of the moon to make images of a fetus growing in a womb, and then a mother cradling a baby at her chest. It is clear as day over 5 years later. I knew at tha gr moment, even before a test would show me to be pregnant, that I knew I was with child.
The world is beautiful, there is good and sadly bad, and everything is uncertain and unpredictable.
I appreciate your scientific input on this all and logical thinking. But there is certainly a Devine something as you said as well.
But why can’t MES be a way for someones god ,whatever that may be to be sending a message too?
The brain is, as you know, a miracle in itself.
Also wanted to state your work and article is very important, especially for those who may fear they are going crazy.
One of the scariest things to me is to not be able to trust your own mind.
Hi Arwen:
I’m like you in that I’m all for TRUE science. That is, science that can be replicated. However, much that passes for science such as cosmogony (the origin of the universe) and evolution are not and cannot be science because no one has the power to replicate them. Thus, they are just fanciful, unproven theories. You’d need to be God to do that.
When you hear words yelled loudly as you go to sleep, I think falls into the hypnagogic realm which is the transitional state preceding sleep during which (auditory) hallucinations such as you have experienced may occur.
You ask an excellent question. “If you cannot find the path to god and heaven without having been given or reading a bible, what happens to all those people who live in third world countries or places where no book or word or Christian god has reached? What happened to those who lived before christianity and the written bible?”
I’m glad you asked this question because it deserves a good answer.
There are several aspects to the answer.
First, God declares that Jesus (the Word) is the true light that gives light (enlightenment) to every person coming into the world (John 1:9). So God gives everyone a measure of light. Now, they can either move towards that light and seek more light and find God, for God declares, “you WILL find Me WHEN you SEARCH for Me with ALL Your Heart” (Jeremiah 29:13) or they can move away from that light and instead of getting more light will encounter darkness.
Notice how God puts it. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” Notice, they all know the truth. How? “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” Therefore no one can say they didn’t know. Why? “because, although they KNEW God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were DARKENED” (Romans 1:18-21).
Second, there was always a “Bible”, even before it was written down. What God did was give names to the constellations and stars within them that set out the whole message found in the Bible. (Psalm 19:1-4) The ancients knew that (until they corrupted it). Abraham didn’t have the Bible, yet he was “saved” by reading this Bible in the stars. In Genesis 15:5 God told Abraham to “enumerate” the stars (place them in their ranks and order) and read off their names. When Abraham did this, essentially he just preached the Gospel to himself. Notice what happened next. “He believed in the Lord” In other words he accepted the Lord. Then what happened? “God accounted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Thus Abraham (and others in the ancient times) were “saved” by reading and accepting the Bible in the stars.
This is a fascinating subject. In fact, I earned one of my doctorates for my dissertation into this very subject.
Practicing goodness and kindness are Christian traits to be sure, but they do not get you into heaven in the first place. You see, God only allows perfect people into heaven–and both you and I know we are far from perfect. Thus that door is shut no matter how much goodness and kindness we have practiced, because at the same time we have not been perfect, and thereby sinned against God. (“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God–Romans 3:23.) By not being perfect, we have broken God’s law–and the penalty for this is death. (“For the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23) Thus the only way to be “saved” and enter Heaven is through the perfection of someone who would pay the penalty of death on our behalf that we should become “perfect” in Him–and that is exactly what Jesus–the divine, perfect God-man–did by dying for use. As the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)
So you see, being good and kind isn’t enough to cover the sins you have committed.
Now to get back to your final questions, “Why couldn’t MES be a way of God “speaking” to someone? We know that in the past God has spoken to people directly, in dreams and in visions. But MES isn’t any of these three ways. Rather, it is typically fragmentary and repetitive while we are awake–which is not the way God speaks to people.
Cordially,
Neil
for the last 7 weeks I have been hearing songs night and day I can hardly sleep usual night routine is staying up with tv on so I don’t hear the music, it is driving me mad… no ear problems had them check by Dr he has put me on antidepressants and has passed me on to the mental health centre I am not going mad but the constant songs are driving me potty, there nice angelic I no some of them but I need to get rid of them, any advice please. thank you
Hi Julie:
Taking antidepressants isn’t going to help you and can eventually make things worse for you. Why are you getting so upset over this phantom music since it is nice? Why not choose to enjoy it? As long as you are upset over it, you are focusing on it and thus causing your limbic system to keep it in your consciousness because it must be important–after all, you are upset over it all the time.
There is nothing wrong with having sounds in your local environment–TV, radio, or CDs of environmental sounds whatever turns your crank. Leave these sounds on all the time so your brain has real sounds to focus on.
Cordially,
Neil
I have been singing since I was two. Sometimes I hear beautiful ethreal music too. But I know it is my creative mind giving me this music and not angels. If I could write it down I would be a famous composer by now. My brain is also always busy in the background coming up with poetry, song lyrics and even the plots and episodes for sitcoms! I find this gift highly gratifying and would be sad if I lost it.
i hear meditation music when the fan is on! or sometimes i hear a vibration or ring in my ear!
Hi Maritza:
When you hear music when a fan is on, you don’t have MES, but you are experiencing audio pareidolia–a totally benign phenomenon.
If you both feel a vibration and hear its corresponding sound, that is a form of somatosensory tinnitus.
Cordially,
Neil
You know, I believe Its has nothing to do with Ear issues. Why I said that. I am profound deaf Since birth, I am 55 yrs Old. I start hearing Melody, Harp Harmony music, it like there is thousand angles singing up in Heaven worship at the Throne of God, That beautiful sound goes on and on forever and ever. So explain to me do I have hearing problem??? But Im total Deaf!!!! I still hear that sound. I keep wondering what does mean? Am I close to God?
Hi Cina:
I think you are mixing up the difference between HEARING real sounds (via your ears) and PERCEIVING sounds in your head (brain). What you perceive in your head can come from sources other than your ears such as from your memories. But when they get into your auditory circuits where your brain interprets them so you “hear” them, they “sound” the same as real sounds. So whether you have a profound loss like you do, or a severe loss like I have, we miss a lot of real sounds, but we have no problem “hearing” phantom sounds since they do not originate in our ears.
Now, to address what you are perceiving as beautiful music–angels singing, this can be your brain taking various pieces of memories and putting them together in a way that you think could be angels singing around the throne of God. That may be true, but it is more likely that you are hearing “fanciful” songs made up by your brain based on previous memories–what I call Musical Ear Syndrome.
Does this beautiful music repeat itself over and over again. If so, that is one indication that it is likely MES.
I can’t tell if you are close to God or not–you know your relationship to God. If you have taken Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you are part of the family of God–and God is your father. That’s close. If you have not taken Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you are not a part of God’s family, and thus are not close to Him. In fact, the Bible clearly states that “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2) So the only way to be close to God is for your sins to be forgiven–and that comes only through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus could declare, “I (Jesus) am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No man comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6).
Cordially,
Neil
Listening to all of your advice to others and I disagree with some of them. Last night was the first time I heard singing while listening to the Bible. The singing was in a different language and I couldn’t understand the words. Sounded like a man’s voice. I have also heard drums beating very loudly. These things don’t happen often but I hear the same sounds every night. But not drums and singing. I know the difference, and so does some others .
Hi Jennetta:
Feel free to disagree with me. That’s your right. You can think/believe what you want. (Doesn’t necessarily make it right though.)
So you heard a man singing while you were listening to the Bible. What are you saying this means?
Hearing drums beating can be one of the many Musical Ear Syndrome experiences that people have.
I don’t understand when you say they don’t happen often, then you say the happen every night.
You know the difference between what and what?
You haven’t made a case for anything–just made some nebulous statements.
This doesn’t help anyone understand your point of view.
Cordially,
Neil
Back in the late 90’s my fiance was tragically taken from the world through a car accident. I was devastated. I was laying down getting ready to go to bed and all of a sudden I heard beautiful music, like it was echoing off the mountain side.
It was not from this world. It was harps! It seemed to be playing throughout the house. I walked to the kitchen, it was still playing. Then, I decided to open the front door to see if it was playing outside. It wasn’t, only silence. I had to be sure that I wasn’t hearing things. Went back to my room and continued hearing the music, walked to the kitchen to see if it was still playing, opened the front door again, silence. Then I went back to my bed and it was still playing. I knew this music was being played specifically for me!
Hi There:
I’m sorry to hear about your fiance–even though it was years ago. I’m glad the beautiful music comforted you.
But I have a few comments. Yours is a special case–not typical MES.
You say “It was not from this world. It was harps.” Harps are common here on earth you know. So just because you heard harps doesn’t make it otherworldly. But I’m not doubting that God gave you this music for that time.
How long did you hear this music–just that evening? Was it still there the next day? And for days afterwards? If not, that is a clue that what you heard was probably not MES.
Cordially,
Neil
Hello Neil,
Yes, I was aware that harps are here on this earth, but the sound that came out of the music was not from this earth. It was a million times more beautiful than any music I’d heard at the time, and still today. So far, there have been no replications that even came close to what I had heard that night. I do believe we will have the pleasure of hearing the most awesome music in heaven. I so look forward to it!
I only heard it the one time. But it’s still deeply ingrained into my memory. I thank the Lord I was given that! Psalms 34-18 – The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Hi Cheryl:
Your description is much different than the people that say they are hearing heavenly music, but really are hearing MES sounds.
I’m looking forward to the music and singing–and two things will be different. I’ll finally be able to hear and enjoy music, and I’ll be able to sing on key.
Down here I have to heed the Lord’s commands, “Sing and make melody in your HEART Unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19) and with my voice “make a joyful NOISE” (Psalm 95:1)
Cordially,
Neil
Okay so I know its not a musical syndrome because I didn’t have it when I woke up so it all started when I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to enter my and guide me through life and I praying for 8-9 minutes I think and after I finished praying I sat down and It waa quiet and then I started hearing this beautiful voice at first I thought it was coming form outside but Outside was quiet so I was like It’s coming from my ears and it was coming form my eyes and it’s beautifullll I could hear it sooo clearly
Fascinated by this discussion Neil. Only read bits of it. It would be interested to hear the comments of a highly-trained musician or composer!
I am 40 years old and recently have been experiencing MES. My entire life I have had various religions experiences both peaceful and horrifying. My phantom singing always takes the form of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings. Almost always it happens when a fan is running and I am sitting alone. I have successfully used my MES as part of my spiritual devotion. Belief is the tool and while I know there is a medical explanation for the MES I can compartmentalize my rational, scientific mind when I need to use the tools my mind provides.
Hi Jim:
If you phantom music only occurs where there is a constant background sound such as a fan running, then it is not technically MES, but audio pareidolia. The difference is that MES is a pure hallucination–not caused by a real sound, whereas audio pareidolia is an illusion and it is always brought on by a real sound that you perceive, not as the real sound such as a fan running, but as something else such as music or singing, etc.
How you want to think of your audio pareidolia is up to you of course.
Cordially,
Neil
Interesting. Now I wonder if there was always a fan. I’m not hearing distortions, I am hearing angelic singling very clearly when the room is silent or close to silent (fan in another room). I have very strong visual pareidolia and experience the troxler effect almost instantly when I stare at something. Since I was a kid to present time I experienced strong apophenia and use it for “divination”. When all of these mental processes come together the experience is similar to real religious experiences I have had minus the feeling of oneness (or complete separation) with the infinite creator. Is there some way to test whether it is pareidolia or MES? I have other symptoms of tinnitus so I assumed it was MES.
Hi Jim:
Since you have strong visual pareidolia, I’m not surprised that you also have audio pareidolia. Your brain loves finding patterns that are particularly weak and making sense of them.
It’s easy to test whether you are experiencing audio pareidolia or MES. If it is caused by a real (although usually faint background) sound, it is audio pareidolia. If it is a fan, turn it off and if the sound instantly goes away, it is audio pareidolia. If the sound remains the same, it is MES.
Or another way, if it is MES and you block your ears, the phantom sound remains just as loud, whereas if you completely block the background sound, and the sound goes away, it is audio pareidolia.
Cordially,
Neil
I started hearing beautiful Angels singing in my ears the night before my husband passed away. Its been 7 weeks today and they are still singing. They sing when I’m talking to people, watching t.v. or almost ALL the time. Keeping busy doesn”t seem to help. We were married for 58 years, and he was sick for a very long time. I love him very much, but I wish the Angels would quite singing. I know he’s o.k. and out of pain!!!!!!
Hi JoAnn:
What are the “angels” singing? Do you know the hymns? Is it the same songs over and over, or are they all different?
Tell me more about your experiences and perhaps I’ll have better insight into exactly what you are experiencing and how best to deal with it.
Cordially,
Neil
It started with Amazing Grace, and just humming !! Thank you for answeing me! No new hymns!
Hello, How might this research lead to better treatment of MES?https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010945213003080
Thanks,
Kate Burford
Hi Kate:
First, thanks for sending the link. You’ll notice that this research was done 9 or 10 years ago and published 8 years ago. It doesn’t appear that much has come out of that research in the past 8 years. I think this is because this research was done on a single person with a unique ability to use certain kinds of music to cause residual inhibition. Of all the thousands of people I’ve dealt with that have MES, I’ve never heard anyone tell me they had this ability. So its not likely to benefit the vast majority of people with MES.
Residual inhibition works temporarily for some people that have a constant tonal tinnitus. The idea is that you listen to an identical tone to your tinnitus tone (same pitch and volume) and then stop, and you may find that your tinnitus disappears. Typically this isn’t really useful as the duration of the residual inhibition is often just seconds or minutes. If it was days, weeks or months, then that would be wonderful, but typically it isn’t.
If they could find a kind of music that produces residual inhibition in many people with MES, that would be another thing. Then you’d want to find ways of increasing the length of this residual inhibition beyond the 90 seconds this lady experienced.
Although this research is interesting, at the present, I don’t see that it has any practical purpose that can be utilized to help people with MES. Perhaps in the future, further research can build on this and eventually come up with a treatment, but it is certainly not there yet.
Cordially,
Neil
Dr Neil, I have a degree in Medicine, and hear angelic music after a 10 day silent retreat. After silencing the chattering of the mind. My hearing of subtle sounds, comes along with a capability of visualising also subtle forms, and be aware at the point of mental cognition. Your explainations are very good through the human centric/naterialistic point of view, but this is quite narrow excluding all kinds of view points and ways of cognition. Beyond the intellect, there are other, deeper forms of cognition ( where the intellect is perfectly integrated). We are not solely a machine with malfunctions. I advise you to read William James books, for example, a pioneer researcher investigating consciousness/ cognition ( by experiencial investigation, not solely literature review) and its connection with the spiritual experience. Meditation can also help 🙂
Hi Maria:
You say you can hear angelic music after a 10-day silent retreat. I’m not doubting you are “hearing” music, but how can you say it is angelic music? There is nothing in the Bible that indicates that angels play musical instruments or even sing. So right off, you are assuming that what you hear is angelic music, but you do not having anything to back up this belief. You do not have first hand experience of this by going to heaven and seeing/hearing angels for yourself, or having an angel orchestra/choir come to you so you have first hand knowledge.
You assume that when you have a mystic experience, that it is “angelic”. You accuse me of only looking at things from a human point of view, and fail to realize that at the same time, I am a deeply spiritual person. I see both sides of the equation and then make up my mind based on what I know of both realms.
In addition, I have dealt with thousands of people that hear “phantom” music and other sounds, and have gained a degree of insight into what is going on.
Too many people confuse true spiritual understanding (which comes from God) with spiritualistic experiences (which do NOT come from God) and based on this latter, think they are spiritual.
Cordially,
Neil
Very interesting post. For the pass month, I’ve been hearing “heavenly music”, no words or anything. It has gotten louder to the point that I can actually say it’s heavenly, because I had no idea what “heavenly music” sounds like. Nothing I’ve heard in church, over 20 years ago, or anything I could’ve explained a month ago. It’s completely silent when I hear it… EVEN NOW.
But I can tell you, my mom got sick a few days after thanksgiving of 2021, and passed March 2022. I find it pretty ironic or “heavenly” that I’m currently sick, with the same symptoms she had in 2021, only difference; I was there to take care of her. Whether it’s a sign or just me going crazy I believe in God’s will. If loosing my sister in 2017, my mom in 2022, and no other family to help me the way I helped my mom… I’m ready.
I do not believe that I’m hearing anything that has anything to do with my thoughts or how my brain operates. I know my families medical history and there’s always a possibility that the heavens or your loved ones are ability to communicate in a heavenly way without blurting out “hey, your going to die”. Healthy or not, if it’s your time… it’s time. BTW, my sis passed from metastatic breast cancer and my mom (breast cancer survivor) passed from small cell carcinoma. My moms first symptoms was peripheral neuropathy they thought was because of her diabetes. Now I have peripheral neuropathy, but my not diabetic or have any health problems. Just a plain old spinal tumor.
Hi TB:
Far be it for me to say that you cannot hear “heavenly” music. In your case it seems to be a possibility. I like to rule out other obvious causes because so many people assume it is ethereal music when they are obviously experiencing Musical Ear Syndrome or Audio Pareidolia–but they don’t want to accept that.
Cordially,
Neil
Dr. I’m not sure how old this content is, but I had an interesting event happen to me as a child of 5 or 6 yrs old. I did not come from a religious family we didn’t attend church, however every time my mom and dad would visit my Papa (Dads side) there was a picture of Jesus after the resurrection hanging on the wall, and I very clearly remember looking at the painting (print) and hearing what I can only describe as thousand upon thousands of voices singing. I could not make out what they were singing or any particular words but I remember I would have to quickly look away from the painting and I would hide my head against my moms leg, i seem to remember her standing , so it was when we would first walked into the house. It scared me !! so bad I could not look at the pic. I was too young to understand the real meaning of Christ, I probably knew more about Santa the Jesus. I’m 53 years old now….and I remember this like it was yesterday. There was never any music playing in the house, just visiting, but that painting always sound as what I would describe as an adult as thousands upon thousands of Angels singing!! it was frightening as a child. To this day i cannot scientifically explain it. I am going with what i heard….Angels singing in a huge Choir !! any thoughts ??
Hi Greg:
I’m not doubting you were hearing myriads of voices singing, but I’ll bet it was not angels, but the Saints in heaven singing. Nowhere does the Bible mention angels actually singing, but the Saints sure do. And when I get to Heaven, I’ll add my voice to those myriads of Saints you heard singing. (Note: saints are born again believers in Christ–in other words, “ordinary” Christians, not beatified people as the Catholic church would have you believe–and there are millions of us.) We’d be glad to have you join us!
Cordially,
Neil