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People who are profoundly deaf and candidates for cochlear implant surgery often have musical hallucinations, hearing symphonies and concerts in their heads. These hallucinations disappear after the implant, which allows them to hear speech.

Music therapy is being explored as a potential benefit for autistic individuals. A randomized control trial is underway to gather evidence on its effectiveness.

Tinnitus, a phantom sound produced by the brain, is similar to phantom limb pain. While some people can ignore it, others find it debilitating, highlighting the variability in how our brain circuits handle emotional components.

Dr. Konstantina Stankovic emphasized that people with tinnitus should try to distract themselves from it, as focusing on the condition can exacerbate the neural circuitry involved. This approach is supported by clinical recommendations and imaging studies showing hyperactivity in the inferior colliculus.

The best treatment option for tinnitus currently is a cochlear implant, which improves peripheral function and allows the brain to recalibrate, effectively reducing symptoms for many patients.

Hidden hearing loss can occur even if standard audiometric tests show normal results. This happens when synapses connecting sensory cells to neurons are damaged by loud sounds, leading to issues like tinnitus.