Musical hallucinations, musical imagery, and earworms: A new phenomenological survey

Highlights

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  We conducted a phenomenological survey comparing musical hallucinations to other inner music.

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  MH were more likely to be reported as externally located than other experiences.

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  MH were less controllable and less familiar than imagery or earworms.

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  MH were less likely to include lyrical content than other forms of inner music.

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  Individuals with higher levels of musical expertise were less likely to report MH.

Abstract

Musical hallucinations (MH) account for a significant proportion of auditory hallucinations, but there is a relative lack of research into their phenomenology. In contrast, much research has focused on other forms of internally generated musical experience, such as earworms (involuntary and repetitive inner music), showing that they can vary in perceived control, repetitiveness, and in their effect on mood. We conducted a large online survey ( N = 270), including 44 participants with MH, asking participants to rate imagery, earworms, or MH on several variables. MH were reported as occurring less frequently, with less controllability, less lyrical content, and lower familiarity, than other forms of inner music. MH were also less likely to be reported by participants with higher levels of musical expertise. The findings are outlined in relation to other forms of hallucinatory experience and inner music, and their implications for psychological models of hallucinations discussed.