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Phantom Sounds–Sane or Psychotic?

by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.

When a person describes hearing phantom sounds, how can you tell whether these sounds are non-psychiatric or psychiatric in nature? In other words, is the person hearing them sane or psychotic?

Following is an excerpt from an email I recently received.

My mother is 88 years old and has been hard of hearing for a number of years now. She told me that she heard a man and woman singing. She felt certain that they were her upstairs neighbors. Later, she spoke about the same man and woman speaking directly to her, swearing and saying unkind things to her. She also told me that she was trying to stay very quiet because if she rattled her dishes getting them out of the cupboard, they would comment.

Is this woman experiencing the “normal” phantom Musical Ear Syndrome sounds that many elderly hard of hearing people experience, or is she experiencing psychiatric auditory hallucinations that should be treated by a psychiatrist, and why?

Answer: This person is experiencing psychiatric auditory hallucinations and should be treated by a psychiatrist. The key is that the auditory hallucinations are personal in nature. The voices are either speaking to her (swearing at her and saying unkind things), or about her (commenting when she rattles the dishes).

In contrast, people experiencing Musical Ear Syndrome might have heard the same music and singing and similarily thought it was coming from the upstairs neighbors, but it would be completely impersonal in nature–as though it were coming from a radio, TV or stereo. They would not be interacting with the voices in any way.

For more on this fascinating (and at times disturbing) subject, point your browser to Phantom Voices, Ethereal Music & Other Spooky Sounds.

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Download your free Visor Cards for hard of hearing or deaf people here.

Loop Systems

Loop your home or meeting room. Discover how you can hear wonderfully clear sound again when listening to the TV/radio, etc, or when listening to a speaker at a meeting.

Loop systems are one of the best-kept secrets in town. To learn more about Loop Systems and what they can do for you, click here.

Take Control of Your Tinnitus—Here’s How

If your ears ring, buzz, chirp, hiss, click or roar, you know just how annoying tinnitus can be. You do not have to put up with this racket for the rest of your life. This book teaches you many things you can do to help bring your tinnitus under your control so it no longer bothers you.

Learn More | Add to Cart—Printed | Add to Cart—eBook

Sounds Now Too Loud for You?

Hypersensitive to Sound front coverIf some (or all) normal sounds seem so loud they “blow the top of your head off”, or make you wince or jump, or cause you headaches or ear pain, or affect your balance, or result in fear or annoyance of sounds so you feel you have to avoid these sounds, this book is for you!

Learn More | Add to Cart—Printed | Add to Cart—eBook

Hearing Phantom Sounds?

When hard of hearing people begin hearing phantom voices or music, they immediately worry they are going crazy. It never crosses their minds that they are sane and are just experiencing Musical Ear syndrome.

To learn more about the strange phantom sounds of Musical Ear syndrome and what you can do about them, click here to read a comprehensive article about Musical Ear Syndrome.

Or get the book—Learn More | Add to Cart—Printed | Add to Cart—eBook

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Center for Hearing Loss Help

Neil G. Bauman, Ph.D.

1013 Ridgeway Drive, Lynden,
WA 98264-1057 USA

Email: neil@hearinglosshelp.com

Phone: 360-778-1266 (M-F 9:00 AM-5:00 PM PST)

© 2025 Center for Hearing Loss Help – Help for your hearing loss, tinnitus and other ear conditions

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life [which also includes perfect hearing] through Jesus Christ our Lord." [Romans 6:23]

"But know this, in the last days perilous times will come" [2 Timothy 3:1]. "For there will be famines, pestilences, and [severe] earthquakes in various places" [Matthew 24:7], "distress of nations, the sea and the waves roaring"—tsunamis, hurricanes—Luke 21:25, but this is good news if you have put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, for "when these things begin to happen, lift up your heads [and rejoice] because your redemption draws near" [Luke 21:28].