What is Musical Ear Syndrome?

While the thought of being able to hear music constantly is something many people would like to experience, musical ear syndrome (MES) is a medical condition where people hear music that other people do not.

Musical ear syndrome is an extremely rare condition that is often under-reported for fear of being diagnosed with a mental health condition. Despite this, studies suggest that 20% of people who experience tinnitus go on to suffer from musical ear syndrome, amounting to around three percent of the population.

It is clear that musical ear syndrome is not related to any mental health conditions and does remain linked to your hearing. For those who experience this rare phenomenon, getting the correct auditory care from a hearing health professional can help them to learn more about this condition and work to rectify the symptoms.

What Exactly is Musical Ear Syndrome?

MES is a condition that causes musical auditory hallucinations, which are usually caused by hearing loss. Although it is not uncommon, it is rarely diagnosed. Hearing loss appears to be caused, but the exact mechanism is unknown. The brain gathers information from the senses to assist you in comprehending the world. When your hearing is impaired, your brain is not ready to simply ignore this sense. As a result, the brain continues to seek input.

This is different from tinnitus, where people hear a buzzing, ringing noise in their ears that cannot be drowned out. While both conditions are similar and are thought to be linked, there are clear distinctions.

One example is an 87-year-old woman who complained about hearing a concert in her ears for over a month and was aware that no one else could hear this concert. An audiogram found that the woman had 75% hearing loss in her left ear and 95% in her right ear. She was otherwise alert with a complete cognitive profile. Once hearing aids were suggested and fitted, the woman remained symptom-free.

What Causes Musical Ear Syndrome?

There is no single cause of MES, but medical professionals believe it is a reaction to auditory deprivation caused by hearing loss. When your brain does not receive enough stimulation, it overcompensates and begins to generate sounds on its own.

The condition is thought to affect older adults with hearing loss, but it can affect anyone who loses their hearing at any age. Similarly, those who are anxious or depressed or already have tinnitus are more likely to develop the condition.

Hearing Loss

In the absence of other hallucinogenic or cognitive symptoms, hearing loss is the most likely explanation for hearing music that isn’t there. However, the root of the problem cannot always be pinpointed. Having MES while also suffering from another ailment, such as dementia, is certainly not impossible.

Medications

Several drugs have been linked to the onset of hallucinations, including auditory hallucinations. However, chances are that this will involve hearing voices or other sounds. It is pretty unusual for drugs to bring on symptoms of MES. Suppose you suspect a medicine you are taking is causing hallucinations. In that case, you should immediately discuss the possibility of modifying your dosage or switching therapies with your healthcare provider.

Cochlear Implant

There have been reports of cases when MES was brought on by inserting or removing a cochlear implant. To date, much research hasn’t been done on the connection between cochlear implants and MES, so information is scarce. In a relatively small study involving 82 patients, it was discovered that 22% of them had acquired MES; seven of them did so before implantation, and 11 of them did so after implantation.

How Is Musical Ear Syndrome Treated?

If the hallucinations aren’t linked to another medical condition, in the first instance it is prescribed hearing aids to restore as much hearing as possible and to help provide other sounds to stop the brain from filling in the blanks caused by hearing loss.

Other treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help patients learn to live with the symptoms and lifestyle changes to accommodate MES and help to improve the quality of life. Where there are other medical concerns, MES is treated with medications as prescribed by a neurologist.

Talking to your hearing health professional about any changes to your hearing, including if you suspect you may be experiencing musical ear syndrome, can start you on the right path to getting the appropriate treatment for your hearing loss and helping you to regain your quality of life. At Park Place Hearing Center, we are here to help you. You can contact us at (707) 283-7853 to learn who we are and what we do.