Auditory Hallucinations

[Farmer]

My mother is a very functional, alert and active ninety years old. She is in good health and has no major illnesses. For about two years she has been plagued with auditory hallucinations - music (old songs, Christmas music, Happy Birthday), bells ( church bells sometimes deafening loud), a man with a harsh voice repeating the same thing over and over and other noises like hammering. She is very hard of hearing as well. She has been treated for seizures and has taken varying doses of neurontin. She's had MRIs, EEGs and other tests which show nothing remarkable for someone of her age. She is slowly being driven crazy by these "sounds" and has even wished she could die. Her current doctor is neurologist who specializes in dementia and behavior. My mother is probably in the early stages of dementia. My mother's only request of every doctor she has seen is that they stop the noises. Is there something she can take or is there something that can be done to restore her to a good quality of life?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I am afraid you asked the wrong person. I do not have any direct experience with this type of patient. I understand the problem, and know it is an extremely difficult problem to solve. Your best best is the neurologist you are working with since this is definetly a neurological, not a psychological, problem.  The auditory hallucinations may possibly be an atypical seizure phenomenon, so ask your neurologist about this possibility. If so, he may add an additional medication.  Good luck...you might also try asking this same question on the neurological forum.