How does it feel?
Musical hallucinations carry a strong sense of reality, often initially perceived as genuine music until it becomes evident that no external source is producing it. This is particularly true during the first encounter with musical hallucinations. Typically, these auditory perceptions consist of brief segments of simple melodies, often drawn from familiar childhood tunes such as songs from school or church, national anthems, or snippets of classical music.
Interestingly, individuals with hearing loss may observe that the music in their hallucinations sounds akin to how they initially heard it, without any muffled or diminished quality, unlike their current hearing loss condition which may distort or attenuate frequencies.
Do certain people get it more often?
While anyone can experience musical hallucinations, certain groups are more prone to it. This includes individuals who live alone, those with hearing loss, and particularly women over the age of 60.
The underlying cause of musical hallucinations remains largely unknown in most cases, with no specific cause typically identified.
Causes
In very rare instances, musical hallucinations can stem from serious underlying conditions, such as vascular issues in the brain or brain tumors. While these conditions typically present with additional symptoms, your doctor may opt to conduct investigations to rule them out.
Furthermore, musical hallucinations are more prevalent in individuals with epilepsy or Alzheimer’s disease. It’s crucial to inform your doctor if you experience musical hallucinations along with any changes in vision, dizziness, severe headaches, speech problems, or difficulties with movement, as these could be indicative of underlying medical issues that require attention.
Role of medication in musical tinnitus
Similar to tinnitus, several medications have been implicated in causing or exacerbating musical hallucinations. However, apart from medications derived from opium, such as tramadol, morphine sulfate, and oxycodone, which have been demonstrated to induce musical hallucinations in rare instances, no conclusive evidence exists for other medications.
If you suspect that your musical hallucinations may be linked to one of these substances or another medication, it is crucial not to discontinue or adjust the dosage without consulting your doctor first.
What is the link between mental health and musical tinnitus?
Most people with musical hallucinations do not exhibit any psychiatric disorders. While some individuals may fear that musical hallucinations indicate a mental health issue, such as schizophrenia, it’s important to note that while hearing voices is common in schizophrenia, experiencing musical hallucinations is very rare, and there is no known link between the two conditions.
Interestingly, musical hallucinations are relatively common in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which involves repetitive, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. It’s estimated that around four in ten individuals with OCD will experience musical hallucinations at some point in their lives. However, it’s crucial to understand that most people experiencing musical hallucinations do not have OCD.
Is there a cure?
When musical hallucinations are rooted in an underlying cause, addressing that cause often leads to relief from the hallucinations. In such instances, medication may be considered to treat the underlying condition, and your doctor can provide guidance on this matter.
The most frequent cause of musical hallucinations is hearing loss. Your doctor may recommend a hearing test to assess your hearing, and based on the results, they may suggest the use of a hearing aid.
Many individuals discover that once the condition is clarified and they are assured that no serious underlying issue exists, the musical hallucinations become less intrusive. However, if the hallucinations persist and continue to be problematic, they can be managed using techniques similar to those employed in treating other types of tinnitus.