I hear all sounds loudly with auditory hallucinations. Please help.

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 45-year-old female. I heard everything loud for 10 years straight car engines, water faucets, alarm systems, crickets, and television. I heard a buzzing noise too. I am diagnosed as schizophrenia, borderline intellectual function, auditory hallucinations, hyperacusis in both ears, transient alternative of awareness (EEG). My MRI is normal. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

If you have auditory hallucinations regularly then the dose of Risperdal (Risperidone) or Abilify (Aripiprazole) needs to be increased so that these can be controlled or you have to change to other drug like Clozapine can be tried. Clozapine is a reserved drug for treatment resistant schizophrenia. Intellectual functions cannot be increased but regular training can help.

Similarly, hyperacusis cannot be usually treated but with the help of counseling and acoustic therapy, the anxiety and discomfort caused by it can be modulated.

I hope this helps. Talk to your psychiatrist regarding the change of drug dose or starting on Clozapine.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

As you have auditory hallucinations, they are typical of schizophrenia.

You are unlikely to be mentally retarded, maybe have some borderline intelligence but that can be only verified by one to one interviews. Borderline intelligence is not equal to mentally retarded. For example, if someone has intelligence quotient is between 70- 110 then he/she is having borderline intelligence but if the intelligence quotient is below 70 then only he is called a person with low intelligence (older term mentally retarded).

So let me know, if you have undertaken IQ test, then share your results with me. This difference can be made after one to one interview with your psychiatrist and after some investigation such as IQ test. It seems that you are not mentally retarded.

I hope this helps.