Hearing voices, also called auditory hallucinations, is when someone hears sounds that aren't actually there, even though they feel completely real. It's a very common experience, affecting about 75%… read more

Hearing voices, also called auditory hallucinations, is when someone hears sounds that aren't actually there, even though they feel completely real. It's a very common experience, affecting about 75% of people with schizophrenia.

These voices can sound different for each person - they might be loud or quiet, male or female, and can come from inside the head or seem to be in the environment. Some people hear one voice while others hear several voices that may talk to them or to each other. Scientists think this happens when the brain's speech and hearing systems become confused. When people hear these voices, the same parts of their brain activate as when hearing real people talking. This suggests the brain might be misinterpreting its own thoughts as external voices.

The good news is that hearing voices can be treated with antipsychotic medications. While treatment may not always make the voices disappear completely, it can usually make them quieter and more manageable.