gms | German Medical Science

Musical ear syndrome (MES) is a condition seen in people who have hearing loss and subsequently develop auditory or musical hallucinations. The occurrence of MES has been suggested to be very high among patients with acquired deafness or tinnitus. Sufferers typically hear music or singing.

The aim of this paper is to share our experience with MES and differentiate it from the psychotic disorders.

MES usually occurs in females, aged over 65 with severe sensorineural hearing loss. Though the exact etiology is uncertain, it is supposed that there is hypersensitivity in the auditory cortex caused by sensory deprivation, secondary to the hearing loss. This “hole” in the hearing range is “plugged” by the brain, confabulating a piece of information – in this case a piece of music. Treatments can vary from self-reassurance to pharmaceutical medications. Antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, antiepileptics, or acetylcholinesterase inhibitors can be helpful. In some cases, masking by an external source or cochlear implantation may be necessary, others can manage to block the hallucinations through mental efforts.

Although not very popular the condition should be kept in mind when dealing with hearing impaired patients. It can be very unpleasant and the joint efforts of otorhinolaryngologists, neurologists and psychotherapists can be helpful for the success of the therapy.

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