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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Ali
Jeffrey A
JA
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi. jali@psychiatry.umsmed.edu
D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003638:Deafness / Q000523:psychology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology
D002220:Carbamazepine; D016666:Fluvoxamine