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Posted by Mike
In Reply to: Question about voices vs. noises at support group meeting posted by Bart Veerman
Hearing voices are called "Auditory hallucinations." They can be caused by
a number of neurological and psychatric disorders (Epilepsy being the most
notable neurological, and schizophrenia being the most notable psychiatric
disorder). Some people, who have lost their hearing over a short period of
time, can develop temporary auditory hallucinations as their central nervous
system is adjusting to the loss of auditory input.
These hallucinations represent as disturbances in the temporal or frontal
cortical lobes.
For some people they are clearly formed voices, sounds, or music, for others
they are distored versions of the previous. In most cases, the sounds
appear to be coming outside the body, although some people hear the sound
"in their skull."
A person complaining of these things should *not* assume that they are crazy
and should get a full neurological workup (to rule out tumor, epilepsy,
mini-stroke, etc.) before being referred to a psychiatrist (if that is even
necessary).
Tinnitus could be considered an auditory hallucination, but is generally not
regarded in that category.
Thanks,
Mike
