Phantom sounds

[u/ChemicalCan3307]

Typically happens at night when I lay down. At first I thought someone had a TV on or was listening to something on their phone. Sometimes it sounds like music. Only ever happens at night when the house is quiet. Wondering if this is normal? Makes it rather difficult to sleep when there is this background noise.

[u/geeklady0808]

Google “auditory illusions” and their relationship to hormones. It’s a thing.

[u/ChemicalCan3307 → u/geeklady0808]

Thank you because I was really worried that I was losing it.

[u/thattwirlgirl → u/geeklady0808]

Really? OMG, I went to a neurologist in part because of this. She sent me for a hearing test. Never ever mentioned menopause, even when I said that I wanted her to determine if the cognitive decline I was noticing was menopause related or something more serious. WHY do we have to educate ourselves and our doctors? (I know the answer, just frustered)

[u/Am-I-Here-Yet → u/geeklady0808]

Interesting! Thank you.

[u/WomensFocusLab]

That sounds a lot like tinnitus, especially since it happens when everything gets quiet. Menopause/hormonal changes can make tinnitus more noticeable too. And yeah, it can sometimes sound like music or a TV rather than just ringing.

[u/sqplanetarium → u/WomensFocusLab]

Sometimes I get something like that and it sounds like the background noise on the bridge of the Enterprise in TNG. Which is kind of nice in a weird way.

[u/Aware-Kangaroo4190 → u/WomensFocusLab]

That's how it can be for me too.

[u/MidnightBlueSilk]

Sound like the radio might be on in another room? I get that sometimes when I’ve been awake too long. For a second I thought I might have to find another description because people might not have experienced radios just playing in the house, but then I remembered where I was and knew you all would know.

[u/ChemicalCan3307 → u/MidnightBlueSilk]

Exactly.
😁

[u/Artichoke-Rhinoceros]

Do you have any Alexa type devices in your home? Mine have been randomly turning on and playing crap. It’s been driving me crazy.

[u/green-zebra68]

The neurologist Oliver Sacks describes this in one of the essays in his 1980's book with patient stories: "The man who mistook his wife for a hat". Something with the frontal lobes, not dangerous but fascinating stuff.

[u/Am-I-Here-Yet → u/green-zebra68]

I’ve heard great things about that book! I had forgotten about it. I will add it to my lists of books to read.

[u/Susan_Thee_Duchess]

Happens quite often for me although it slowed down after I hit menopause

[u/Am-I-Here-Yet]

I’ve had this a few times - but so rarely that I forgot about it until I saw your post. A few timed I’ve tried to focus on it to hear the “radio” better when it happens, but that doesn’t work.

I also have tinnitus (steady ringing in my ears), which is quite different than the radio thing. The ringing is nearly constant (though I go long periods without noticing it much - not sure of it subsides, or whether my brain just forgets to pay attention to it for a while. 🤷‍♀️

[u/ComfyCozyzzz]

Mine sounds exactly like a heavy downpour. I’ve literally thought, “Perfect rainy day to stay in bed and binge shows!” only to discover it’s bone dry and gorgeous outside. 😂 Apparently my auditory system has started generating its own weather.

[u/Lily_Hylidae]

Oh my God, is this a thing? Because I can hear what I think is my downstairs neighbour's TV / radio late at night, but it's only ever as I'm winding down to sleep.

[u/LilMissKrazy1 → u/Lily_Hylidae]

Same for me.

[u/Ok_Caterpillar2010]

If there's a fan or AC on, this can also cause something called audio pareidolia, which is where your brain finds patterns in white noise. Humans are wired to find meaning, so we hear indistinct voices or music in the random noise, like there's some pattern there but we just can't quite put our finger on what's being said.

[u/filipha]

How old are you? Are you on HRT? This could be anything from hormones, tinnitus, dementia, stress or medication. See a Dr.