RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

This factsheet is part of our tinnitus range. It is written for people who have tinnitus, their families, friends and the professionals who work with them.

Tinnitus is a medical term to describe noise(s) that people can hear in one ear, both ears or in the head – such as ringing, buzzing or whistling. The sounds heard can vary from person to person, but the common link is that they do not have an external source.

If you would like this factsheet on audio tape, in Braille or in large print, please contact our Information Line.

Read this factsheet to find out:

At the end of this factsheet, we give you details of organisations you can contact for further information.

Medical disclaimer

The information given in this factsheet is not medical advice and by providing it neither RNID nor our tinnitus and medical advisors undertake any responsibility for your medical care, nor accept you as a patient. Before acting on any of the information contained in this factsheet, or deciding on a course of treatment, you should discuss the matter with your GP (family doctor) or other medical professional who is treating you.

What are musical hallucinations?

Tinnitus sounds will usually fall within the categories of ringing, buzzing, whistling, hissing, whooshing or pulsing beats. However, some people hear their tinnitus as music or songs instead. These are called ‘musical hallucinations’ or ‘auditory imagery’. They are less common than the usual tinnitus sounds.

If you have musical hallucinations, you may find that the music or sound is often familiar. It can range from simple tones to songs or even orchestral music.  

Who experiences musical hallucinations?

Musical hallucinations may be experienced by older people who have had hearing loss and tinnitus for some time. People with normal hearing and people who have hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound) can also have musical hallucinations.

What causes musical hallucinations?

Your ears cannot generate musical hallucinations themselves. Instead, what may be happening is that conventional tinnitus is converted by your brain into more organised sound such as music or songs.

New medication can sometimes cause musical hallucinations, but they usually stop when the medication is stopped. If you think your medication has triggered your musical hallucinations, you should visit your GP for advice. See our factsheet Drugs and tinnitus for more information.

Musical hallucinations can also be triggered by a stressful period in your life. However, they may start for no obvious reason at all, as with many other forms of tinnitus. Although this may seem frightening and worrying, you should be assured that they are very unlikely to be a sign of mental illness or a brain disorder.

What can I do about musical hallucinations?

If you start to experience musical hallucinations, or are at all concerned about the noises in your head or ears, you should see your GP. Ask them to refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. An ENT specialist will be able to check your ear health to make sure there are no underlying medical problems with your ears. They will also be able to explain the condition, which you may find reassuring. The ENT specialist may refer you to the audiology department for specialist tinnitus advice within a tinnitus clinic or with a hearing therapist.

Once people know more about their condition, they find it easier to accept and manage.

Are there any tips for managing musical hallucinations?

Yes. Although musical hallucinations cannot be medically treated, there are several things you can do to help you manage them:

  • Sound therapy. People often notice their tinnitus more in quiet environments. Sound therapy helps to make tinnitus less noticeable by reducing the contrast between tinnitus sounds and background sounds. It also helps the hearing system to become less sensitive to tinnitus. Wearable sound generators, which produce a soothing shhh sound, can be worn like in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids. You could also try bedside sound generators – these are freestanding and have a built-in speaker, plug-in headphones, or a speaker that goes under the pillow. They give out a range of soothing sounds, such as light rain, the ocean, a bubbling brook or birdsong.
  • Environmental sounds. You can also try listening to sounds of nature on CDs or tapes. See our factsheet Equipment, sound therapy and tinnitus for more information.
  • Hearing aids. If you have a hearing loss, using a hearing aid may help your tinnitus. Hearing aids can help by compensating for your hearing loss and stopping your ears from straining. By picking up background sounds around you, they can increase the information going to your brain, helping distract you from your tinnitus.
  • Relaxation exercises. Many people notice their tinnitus more when they are worried or tired – and this can make them more anxious or stressed. Learning to control your responses to stressful situations and staying calm by using relaxation exercises can be very helpful. For more information, see our factsheet, Tinnitus and relaxation.
  • Distraction techniques. Try to keep yourself busy and try not to focus on the tinnitus – play a game, talk to someone, or read a book.

Where can I buy products that may help?

RNID Products sells a range of equipment for people with hearing loss and tinnitus. Visit the RNID Shop at www.rnid.org.uk/tinnitusproducts (external link) to buy items of equipment online. Alternatively, you can request a copy of the Solutions catalogue by contacting RNID Products directly or by contacting RNID Tinnitus Helpline.

RNID Products, 1 Haddonbrook Business Centre, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX
Telephone: 01733 361199
Textphone: 01733 238020
Fax: 0870 789 8822
Email: solutions@rnid.org.uk
RNID Shop website (external link, opens new browser window)

Where can I get further information about tinnitus?

British Tinnitus Association (BTA)

The BTA campaigns for better services for people with tinnitus. It supports a network of local tinnitus groups around the country, has a range of publications and produces a quarterly magazine, Quiet.

British Tinnitus Association (BTA), Ground Floor, Unit 5, Acorn Business Park, Woodseats Close, Sheffield S8 0TB
Telephone: 0800 018 0527
Textphone: 0114 258 5694
Fax: 0114 258 2279
Email: info@tinnitus.org.uk
BTA website (external link, opens new browser window)

Contact a local group

If you feel you need more help with tinnitus directly from other people who also have it, you could contact a local tinnitus support group. They are set up and run by people with the condition or by professionals who work with tinnitus patients. The type of support and help they are able to offer varies between groups. Contact RNID Tinnitus Helpline for details of your nearest group.

Further information from RNID Tinnitus Helpline

RNID Tinnitus Helpline offers information and advice to people with tinnitus, their families and friends, and the professionals who work with them. You can contact us for further copies of this factsheet and the full range of our products for people with tinnitus. We also sell a book, "Understanding tinnitus – managing the noises in your ears or in your head", and a range of relaxation CDs and cassettes.

RNID Tinnitus Helpline

19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 6666
Textphone: 0808 808 0007
Fax: 020 7296 8199
SMS: 0780 0000 360 (supported by Lloyds TSB)
Email: tinnitushelpline@rnid.org.uk 
Tune out tinnitus website (external link, opens new browser window)
Available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm