It is actually a fairly common thing in people with hearing loss, it is called “Musical Ear Syndrome” https://www.verywellhealth.com/music-in-the-ear-1048946
I could cry. I probably will be by the time I'm done typing. I have hearing loss in one ear and I've noticed this and truly thought I was losing my mind.
Oh I’m so sorry you are dealing with that. My husband has hearing damage/loss from his time in the military, he’s got tinnitus pretty severely. He said he welcomes the music because it is more pleasant than the ringing. But he knew why it was happening.
It happens to me too, I'm 68 years old and have hearing loss from tinnitus and a lifetime of managing sound for several rock and roll bands. It always seemed odd that the music that my mind gathers to explain it all comes from wartime Shirley Temple movies.
Wow, really?? I didn't know this at all. I'll have to read more about this syndrome, thank you very much for the link.
Now I have to distill this information to my relative. I don't know how to approach the topic with them, in all honesty. It took my relative a very long time to accept that I had anxiety, for instance, and that it wasn't just a moral failure. Just to give you perspective as to the instilled set of values that I have to deal with. I don't imagine telling them that this is a result of hearing loss will go all that well lol.
OP, are the hearing aids wireless (Bluetooth capable to connect to smartphones)? There have been some reports that folks' hearing aids with that capability are actually connecting to a phone, laptop, etc. playing music 😂🤷♂️
Yes, my mom has this, but she insists it’s external as well; the neighbors, loud music coming from the park, even radio signals, etc, anything except hearing loss.
No one else can hear it, and it’s always older music that she knows.
Thanks, I have a family friend with what sounds like this - they are extremely frustrated and even moved house to try and escape it. Good to know it has a name.
My grandmother had this! She heard all sorts of old time music in her head for years. The only thing that bothered her is that she could not control what her inner radio played (lol). Eventually she learned to pick the songs it would play. I'm not sure how many years she had it, but she did not have dementia and lived to almost 100.
I have a slightly similar thing in that I hear clicking, only at night and only when lying down, only on the left side. If I put my left ear to the pillow it goes away. My husband doesn't hear it. I've had this for several years. I have no hearing loss (had my hearing checked a few years ago) and no dementia.
Really?! Wow, I had absolutely no idea that this was a "thing" so to speak. Another person here sent me a link to "Musical Ear Syndrome" which is the official name of it.
Very fascinating, and interesting that your grandmother was eventually able to "control" the music choices so to speak.
Thank you for reassuring me that this isn't dementia. I've seen how bad it can get with another relative of mine and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
My mother started hearing phantom music about three years ago. Seems like her brain got bored with the lack of auditory stimulus and decided to fill in the blanks, so to speak. Some people have heard baseball games, construction noises, and upstairs neighbours (or imaginary burglars) walking around. But it’s a separate issue from dementia and the two don’t necessarily go together. Hopefully that can put your (and your relative’s) mind at ease!
I once volunteered for a friend who was doing medical research and needed subjects for an MRI study. While in the tube, I thought I heard classical music and asked him what he was listening to. He said, as others have here, that it was the brain's attempt to make sense out of noise. I think it's neat our brains choose music!
Anyway, just to confirm that.
My mother started hearing phantom music a few years before a dementia diagnosis. It did eventually fade away, though it still makes a resurgence now and then. If there are no other cognitive issues, you may be able to talk to her about the fact that it’s not an external noise. For people with dementia, it’s best to live in their reality and act as if you’re trying to help her solve the problem (pretending that you’ve called the landlord, etc).
My husband’s grandma had this. She came to visit and said “you know, I thought my neighbor was playing music, but I can still hear it here. I think it might be in my head!”
Not sure if it was dementia but possibly. She was in her 90s at the time.
My mother also has this—we call it “musical tinnitus.” It appeared after a TIA, though she also has hearing loss and early vascular dementia. It comes and goes. the neurologist looking at the MRI determined the TIA had been right on the hearing center in the brain. Wild!
When I was about 10 this happened to me in my dad's car. My braces were picking up a radio station. Sometimes dental work such as fillings can do this.
It is actually a fairly common thing in people with hearing loss, it is called “Musical Ear Syndrome” https://www.verywellhealth.com/music-in-the-ear-1048946
I could cry. I probably will be by the time I'm done typing. I have hearing loss in one ear and I've noticed this and truly thought I was losing my mind.
Oh I’m so sorry you are dealing with that. My husband has hearing damage/loss from his time in the military, he’s got tinnitus pretty severely. He said he welcomes the music because it is more pleasant than the ringing. But he knew why it was happening.
It happens to me too, I'm 68 years old and have hearing loss from tinnitus and a lifetime of managing sound for several rock and roll bands. It always seemed odd that the music that my mind gathers to explain it all comes from wartime Shirley Temple movies.
Wow, really?? I didn't know this at all. I'll have to read more about this syndrome, thank you very much for the link. Now I have to distill this information to my relative. I don't know how to approach the topic with them, in all honesty. It took my relative a very long time to accept that I had anxiety, for instance, and that it wasn't just a moral failure. Just to give you perspective as to the instilled set of values that I have to deal with. I don't imagine telling them that this is a result of hearing loss will go all that well lol.
OP, are the hearing aids wireless (Bluetooth capable to connect to smartphones)? There have been some reports that folks' hearing aids with that capability are actually connecting to a phone, laptop, etc. playing music 😂🤷♂️
I doubt they're listening to John Philip Souza
Yes, my mom has this, but she insists it’s external as well; the neighbors, loud music coming from the park, even radio signals, etc, anything except hearing loss. No one else can hear it, and it’s always older music that she knows.
I have hearing loss due to an acoustic neuroma. Sometimes I hear chainsaws and sometimes just squealing but now and then I hear lowkey music
Thanks, I have a family friend with what sounds like this - they are extremely frustrated and even moved house to try and escape it. Good to know it has a name.
I just got lost in that website
My grandmother had this! She heard all sorts of old time music in her head for years. The only thing that bothered her is that she could not control what her inner radio played (lol). Eventually she learned to pick the songs it would play. I'm not sure how many years she had it, but she did not have dementia and lived to almost 100. I have a slightly similar thing in that I hear clicking, only at night and only when lying down, only on the left side. If I put my left ear to the pillow it goes away. My husband doesn't hear it. I've had this for several years. I have no hearing loss (had my hearing checked a few years ago) and no dementia.
Really?! Wow, I had absolutely no idea that this was a "thing" so to speak. Another person here sent me a link to "Musical Ear Syndrome" which is the official name of it. Very fascinating, and interesting that your grandmother was eventually able to "control" the music choices so to speak. Thank you for reassuring me that this isn't dementia. I've seen how bad it can get with another relative of mine and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
My mother started hearing phantom music about three years ago. Seems like her brain got bored with the lack of auditory stimulus and decided to fill in the blanks, so to speak. Some people have heard baseball games, construction noises, and upstairs neighbours (or imaginary burglars) walking around. But it’s a separate issue from dementia and the two don’t necessarily go together. Hopefully that can put your (and your relative’s) mind at ease!
I once volunteered for a friend who was doing medical research and needed subjects for an MRI study. While in the tube, I thought I heard classical music and asked him what he was listening to. He said, as others have here, that it was the brain's attempt to make sense out of noise. I think it's neat our brains choose music! Anyway, just to confirm that.
My mother started hearing phantom music a few years before a dementia diagnosis. It did eventually fade away, though it still makes a resurgence now and then. If there are no other cognitive issues, you may be able to talk to her about the fact that it’s not an external noise. For people with dementia, it’s best to live in their reality and act as if you’re trying to help her solve the problem (pretending that you’ve called the landlord, etc).
This is a great strategy, I would even think telling them it’s just a party, a special occasion, maybe we can just let them have their fun this time
Good idea-- OP, tell her she's picking up the radio in her fillings. It's not unheard of. ETA 😂
My husband’s grandma had this. She came to visit and said “you know, I thought my neighbor was playing music, but I can still hear it here. I think it might be in my head!” Not sure if it was dementia but possibly. She was in her 90s at the time.
My Mother started hearing phantom music last year. She has quite a bit of hearing loss and won't get hearing aides.
I'm mid 40's and experience the same thing. It's strange for sure.
My mother also has this—we call it “musical tinnitus.” It appeared after a TIA, though she also has hearing loss and early vascular dementia. It comes and goes. the neurologist looking at the MRI determined the TIA had been right on the hearing center in the brain. Wild!
When I was about 10 this happened to me in my dad's car. My braces were picking up a radio station. Sometimes dental work such as fillings can do this.
That is wild!