Musical Hallucinations / Tinnitus but Singing in the Ear with the most hearing loss - Solutions Sort.

[dreamc3]

My Mum suffers from Musical Hallucinations, singing in her left ear which is way down on hearing, she gets no sleep at all and Doctors will not prescribe sleeping tablets, even though when Dad was alive he used to give her 1 Nitrazepan which worked and she slept with no singing.

If she sings a different song they then sing the same song, it goes on all night.

It happens during the day as well, but she is shattered all day and yawning.

Does anyone suffer from the same symptoms?

Has anyone got any solutions for night time to this horrific scenario ?

[Colleen_The_BTA]

Hello Dreamc3 and Mum and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum.

Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here:

tinnitus.org.uk (information and support details)

takeontinnitus.co.uk (free tinnitus management programme)

If you’d like to sign up to receive ‘Focus’, our new free monthly e-newsletter, you can sign up at tinnitus.org.uk/forms/conta...

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

We also offer a new web chat service at tinnitus.org.uk/helpline. If you are seeking an online ‘safe space’ to talk about your tinnitus? We're here to offer real time support, exactly when you need it. We listen, advise or direct, whilst engaging with you one to one when you are unable to make a call. We want you to feel you are able to communicate at your own pace in your own space confidentially with one of our Helpline Advisors who are on hand to look after you and answer any questions you may have around tinnitus. Simply click on the icon called 'We are here!' at the bottom right corner of the screen to start your chat.

Kind regards

Colleen

[Colleen_The_BTA]

Have a look at this link on our website about musical hallucinations tinnitus.org.uk/musical-hal...

[dreamc3 in reply to Colleen_The_BTA]

Colleen

Thank you for your response, I have previously looked at the link, but it doesnt really offer any solutions.

I will take a look at the earlier links you sent me for Mum, just in case.

Thank you

[Tintim]

Hi Dreamc3

My wife ( Dianne) suffers from this but she just hears music, not singing.

You may find a couple of my previous posts on this site but also maybe read this article by Neil Bauman

hearinglosshelp.com/blog/mu...

For most people the condition is ‘non psychiatric’ and Bauman explains this well in his article. Sadly though the term ‘musical hallucinations’ prevents many people from seeking help as they fear they they may be categorised incorrectly.

I hope that one day the clinicians and indeed the BTA will adopt Bauman’s term ‘Musical Ear Syndrome’

If you are searching for more info you can also use the term ’Auditory hallucinations’

As far as we know, not much research is being conducted into the condition but there is a Professor Tim Griffiths and his team at Newcastle Universtiy Hospital who have done some research work in this field some of which I believe is available online.

We have found that there are no magic cures for this but Dianne has found the following helpful.

1- She completed an 8 week ( one morning a week) mindfulness course. This was through the NHS. We had to go looking for it and one day I hope that organisations like the BTA will be able persuade the NHS to increase the availability for all types of tinnitus sufferers. In the longer term though one needs to put the techniques learned into everyday practice.

2- Dianne often refers to the Julian Cowen Hill’s and Joey Remeny’s videos and JCH’s book for inspiration. Not promoting these, just saying what has helped her.

3 - Regarding sleep, she suffered horrendously for 6-7months at first but we have a good GP who suggested low dose Amitriptyline which has helped. We know that Drs are often reluctant to prescribe ’sleeping tablets’ long term, particularly benzodiazepines due to the real problem of dependency. Amitriptyline ( and other similar meds) are not the same but this is something you would need to discuss with your Mother’s GP.

Make no mistake though, Dianne’s condition switches on from the moment she wakes up and she still has bad days and nights but in general she has got some of her life back.

We really hope your Mum gets some help for her sleep deprivation and that in some small way the above is helpful to you both.

All the best

Tim and Di.

[dreamc3 in reply to Tintim]

Hi Tim & Di

Just read your post, this is really helpful, I will print it off for Mum and hopefully, follow through on some of the suggestions, I am glad your wife has had some relief and gets some sleep.

I once saw a senior lady on the news explaining she had exactly the same as Mum has got, the singing.

Thank you again

Elaine