Why is my mom hearing music in her head?

Oh dear. I've heard music in my head as long as I remember.

I just read a post a day or so ago where someone would hear music when they had wax build up in the ears!

I thought Wow! that makes sense. The wax dampens the sounds so the brain fills in the gaps with music.

Has anyone else heard of this?

I used to hear very quiet classical music when home alone late in the evening. I first assumed it was coming from the neighbours - but it was such a small phrase, on repeat. I never told anyone for fear of men in white coats coming to take me away.. I also thought it could be a form of tinnitus? (Better than a piecing whistle that others report I thought).

My father complained of this too.

Instead of merely fixing her old hearing aids, you might wish to have her hearing checked. The newer hearing aids are easier to manage and maintain and may provide her with a higher level of correction.

It is so common as we age, with or without dementia as a diagnosis. They call it earworms. I was just chatting with a fellow member of AC and told them of watching again a favorite movie, Tender Mercies, again several weeks ago. I have been unable to stops the hymns and country-western music in that film from return daily.

Oliver Sack wrote a wonderful book all about our brains and music. Do order it from your local library. It is called Musicophilia; not a new book, and would be cheap on Amazon. It is utterly fascinating. And mentions this very fact. For some people it can truly get out of hand, the tunes repeating and repeating.

Musical Ear Syndrome occurs when you hear music even though there isn't any playing. It's a creation of the brain, but it's not a psychological problem or symptom of dementia. It's usually due to some degree of hearing loss, but the cause can't always be determined. Treating hearing loss may resolve the problems MES is causing.