Musical hallucinations, acquired deafness, and depression

Musical hallucinations associated with acquired deafness are rarely reported in the psychiatric literature. In the few cases studied no evidence of psychiatric disturbance is noted. The authors describe two patients with musical hallucinations while in a state of nonpsychotic depression. One of these suffered from acquired deafness and no organic pathology was demonstrable in the other. Cessation of musical hallucinations occurred concomitantly in both patients with improvement of the affective state. Depression might have a contributory role in the occurrence of such hallucinations.