Phenomenology of auditory hallucinations
Double consciousness
Hallucinations can mimic perception in every respect so that they seem real, and we experience equal presence in both the external world and the hallucinations projected onto it.
Hearing voices
Hearing voices is the most common auditory hallucination. In Hallucinations, neurologist Oliver Sacks provides a range of examples of what it is like to hear voices whether:
single or multiple
spoken sequentially or simultaneously
spoken in first, second or third person
our own voice or another person’s with a different accent or gender
calling our own name or providing commands or commentary
speaking our thoughts and narrating our actions
several voices arguing
laughing, crying or whispering
Voices can seem to be perched around the ears or emanate from external objects, walls, floors and ceilings and even from parts of the body.They can be triggered by hearing other sounds, such as white noise, running water or air conditioning and central heating.
Hallucinations heard when we fall asleep and wake up
Although most schizophrenics hear voices, hearing voices does not mean that someone is schizophrenic. For example, some people experience auditory hallucinations on the thresholds of sleep. Hypnagogic hallucinations occur when falling asleep, and people report hearing their name or snatches of nonsensical speech and wordplay. Hypnopompic hallucinations occur when waking up, and people report hearing complete sentences or structured melodies, as well as simple sounds, such as alarms, doors, footsteps, doorbells, telephones and even animal sounds. Exploding head syndrome can occur when falling asleep or waking up where people can hear short and loud knocks, crashes and bangs.
Feeling the presence of another
When hearing voices, people often also feel the presence of another person or entity. People in extreme situations sometimes report hearing encouraging voices, as well as feeling the presence of another person or entity as their brain desperately seeks cues of agency to detect threats or safety. Solitary sailors, shipwreck survivors and astronauts have reported ghostly presences telling them to keep going.
Sensory deprivation
When sensorily deprived, people can experience auditory hallucinations, including during monotony when the auditory input remains the same and does not change.