Musical hallucinations and deafness: a case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To present the case of a patient with acquired deafness who experienced musical hallucinations (MH) and to conduct a review of the relevant literature.

BACKGROUND

Although MH have been known to occur in some people with deafness, literature on this phenomenon, especially from the perspective of etiology and treatment, is limited.

METHODS

The case report was prepared using a detailed history, general psychiatric and neurologic examinations, and neurobehavioral assessments, and the pertinent literature from 1965 to 2000 was reviewed.

RESULTS

The patient whose case is reported here had acquired deafness and was assessed to have MH and obsessive-compulsive symptoms that responded to the use of nonantipsychotic medication.

CONCLUSION

The phenomenon of MH with hearing problems that are either prelingual or acquired can exist separately or be a part of constellation of psychiatric symptoms. No precise etiologic basis is yet clearly identifiable; however, this report offers support for a central mechanism explained by the "Release Theory." Additionally, it appears that such hallucinations might be managed safely with psychotropic medications other than antipsychotics.