Musical Ear Syndrome

Musical ear syndrome (MES) can happen with severe hearing loss. You’ll hear music as if someone were singing or playing instruments nearby. But no one’s really playing. Another name for it is “musical hallucination” (MH).

Most of us know what it means to get an earworm, or a song stuck in our heads. But MES is different. You experience the song as if it were coming from your surroundings — not your head.

Some people panic when they learn they’re hearing sounds that aren’t there. But MES isn’t a sign of a psychiatric condition. It doesn’t mean your mind is “slipping.” It’s just a sign that your brain is filling in sounds in response to hearing loss. Other than the stress or confusion it may cause, musical ear syndrome is harmless.

Instead of being worried, take it as a sign to get your hearing checked.

Symptoms of musical ear syndrome

Hearing music that isn’t there is the main symptom. You may hear:

• Music that’s as simple as basic notes or as complex as an orchestra playing
• Singing only, instrumentals only or both parts together
• Songs that last less than a minute, up to longer than an hour
• Sounds coming from one or both ears

Most people with MES hear songs they already know. Often, it’s songs from childhood, like marching band tunes, hymns and Christmas carols.

Musical ear syndrome causes

Experts believe MES happens when your brain fills in sensory gaps related to hearing loss. Brains and nerve cells like to work. But with hearing loss, the part of your brain that’s used to processing sounds (auditory cortex) gets bored. To cope, it processes sounds already stored in your musical memory bank. You experience these sounds as if they were coming in through your ears.

It’s like your brain picks a tune from your inner jukebox so you can hear it all over again.

This is like what happens in Charles Bonnet syndrome. With this condition, people with low vision see images that aren’t there. Their brains fill in the gaps to keep the visual parts of their brain engaged.

Risk factors

The number one risk factor for having MES is having severe hearing loss. Related factors include:

• Older age: Most people diagnosed are over 60 years old. This is likely because hearing loss tends to increase with age.
• Getting cochlear implants: Some people experience MES for the first time after getting cochlear implants to help them hear better. Others have MES before getting them and find the implants reduce symptoms.
• Stress and fatigue: Some people with MES have symptoms when they’re exhausted.

Musical ear syndrome is slightly more common if you’re female. But experts don’t know why.

How doctors diagnose this condition

A hearing specialist can help diagnose musical ear syndrome. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and symptoms. Hearing loss you develop during your lifetime and musical hallucinations are the key signs.

They’ll rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. It’s important to rule out psychiatric conditions, like schizophrenia. They’ll also rule out conditions linked to cognitive decline. A neurological exam or imaging tests, like a CT-Scan or MRI, can help.

How is it treated?

There isn’t a cure for musical ear syndrome. But your healthcare provider can help you manage it. Treatments include:

• Education: The biggest concern is often that hearing music that’s not there is a sign of a serious condition. Once they learn that MES is harmless, many people learn to cope.
• Improving your hearing: You may need treatments for hearing loss or changes to your hearing aids. Helping you hear better keeps your brain busy. A busy auditory cortex may be less likely to fill in sound gaps.
• Exposing you to more sounds: Your provider may suggest ways to introduce more sound into your surroundings.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Working with a therapist can help you process how you think about these private musical experiences. It can help you manage stress and fatigue that can contribute.
• Medications: Taking medicine is usually a last resort. And there aren’t any specifically for MES. But healthcare providers sometimes prescribe antidepressants and antipsychotics to help manage symptoms.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Reach out to a healthcare provider if you’re hearing music from your environment that isn’t there. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you can find ways to manage MES.

What can I expect if I have this condition?

It may take a while to get diagnosed, but don’t lose hope. Not every healthcare provider knows about MES. This is because many people who have symptoms just live with them instead of telling their providers.

Don’t feel as if you have to remain silent about what you’re experiencing. You’re not alone. Reach out to your primary healthcare provider or a hearing specialist who’s familiar with the condition. They can check your hearing and recommend ways to adjust.

What drugs cause musical ear syndrome?

Medical experts are still researching how musical ear works and potential risk factors. For now, it doesn’t seem to be related to medications you take. Instead, it happens when the hearing portion of your brain rapid-fires music from your memory.