There are quite a few different triggers for auditory hallucinations, and they can vary depending on a person’s underlying condition, environment, and overall mental state. Here’s a breakdown of some common categories and examples:
Psychiatric Triggers
These are the most common in mental health conditions:
Schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
Bipolar disorder (especially during manic or depressive episodes with psychotic features)
Severe depression with psychosis
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – flashbacks may include auditory components
Neurological and Medical Triggers
Epilepsy, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy
Delirium or dementia
Brain tumors (rare, but possible depending on location)
Migraines (especially with aura)
Hearing loss – can lead to “phantom” sounds known as auditory release hallucinations
Substance-Related Triggers
Drug use (e.g. LSD, methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy)
Alcohol withdrawal (delirium tremens)
Medication side effects – certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, or even over-the-counter drugs
Psychological Triggers
Extreme stress or trauma
Sleep deprivation
Grief or intense loneliness (sometimes people hear voices of deceased loved ones)
High anxiety or panic attacks
Environmental Triggers
Loud or chaotic environments
Sensory overload
Social isolation
If auditory hallucinations are happening to you or someone you know, frequency and context matter a lot. It’s a good idea to track:
Psychiatric Triggers
Neurological and Medical Triggers
Substance-Related Triggers
Psychological Triggers
Environmental Triggers