Q&A

Subject: Hearing radio music

From: JS

I have a 85 year old father who has recently started to hear phantom music on a regular basis, the same music even when he is in different locations. Is it possible that he is somehow receiving waves "through the ether"? Or picking up waves from a local/national station.. in this case he is regularly hearing (at about 4:00 am each day) military music? He does wear two aids, but seems to be picking up whether or not he is hearing an aid. I would appreciate any insight or guidance you could provide. Thanks

Dear J,

This is not as unusual as you might first think!! The most common explanation that I have heard actually related to the pick up of radio signals through extensive dental work. Though I don't remember the details, it seemed to make sense at the time.

People with hearing loss do frequently have head noises called tinnitus. The type of sound and the pitches involved varies from person to person. I have heard it described as "tree frogs" "crickets" "music" "ringing" and other such terms. The fact that it occurs at the same time of day and with the same type of music would suggest perhaps that your dad somehow is on the radio network though dental work or other implanted metal (artificial joints and the like).

A hearing aid might also be the culprit if he is very near a powerful radio station tower (like in his back yard). In that case, the hearing aid might have a poor solder joint picking up the radio station.

At the very least, he sounds like a delightful character and I hope you enjoy each other's company for many years to come.

Happy Holidays.
Solveig