[randomer123]

I can't remember when this started but it has definitley got worse over the last few years. I constantly have some song playing in my head and its getting annoying. Sometimes its a song I like and have heard recently which makes sense but sometimes its a song I haven't heard for years. Sometimes its some song I've heard and don't like, or downright hate.

Sometimes it plays through the whole song then either starts again at the beginning or moves onto a new song. Sometimes its just bits of it over and over. If its a song I don't really like/know then it will obviously be the same bit over and over. This is really annoying, even when its a song I like. My mind is never quiet, the music never stops, unless sometimes, when I'm deliberately thinking about something else.

Anyone else have this problem?

[MtnTime2896]

I've had the same thing since early childhood. I don't know why and it's gotten to the point where it takes a while to annoy me.

How's your sleep and stress been since it started getting worse?

[Skeezyks]

Well... not exactly. But every morning, mostly while I'm getting cleaned up, there'll be some stupid song (mostly from long ago) that will pop into my head. Often it's some dumb song I haven't heard or even remembered for years! It doesn't bug me all day. But while it's rattling around in my brain, it's really irritating.

I recall reading, or perhaps hearing someone say, one time that as we get older we tend to return to the music of our youth. I never have. If I never heard most of that junk again as long as I live it would be too soon! So, needless to say, for the period of time these old songs play in my mind, they're an unwelcome intrusion. I do typically play music during the day quite a bit (music I appreciate now.) So this may help to keep some of those "ear worms" at bay.

[randomer123]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

I've had the same thing since early childhood. I don't know why and it's gotten to the point where it takes a while to annoy me.

How's your sleep and stress been since it started getting worse?

Actually, it started getting worse when the idiots moved in upstairs and make noise all night and keep me awake. Could it be caused by that? I've had it for years before that though it didn't bother me so much. (I wrote about my sleep problems in the sleep forum).

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Well... not exactly. But every morning, mostly while I'm getting cleaned up, there'll be some stupid song (mostly from long ago) that will pop into my head. Often it's some dumb song I haven't heard or even remembered for years! It doesn't bug me all day. But while it's rattling around in my brain, it's really irritating.

I recall reading, or perhaps hearing someone say, one time that as we get older we tend to return to the music of our youth. I never have. If I never heard most of that junk again as long as I live it would be too soon! So, needless to say, for the period of time these old songs play in my mind, they're an unwelcome intrusion. I do typically play music during the day quite a bit (music I appreciate now.) So this may help to keep some of those "ear worms" at bay.

Well sometimes its songs I've played recently and some just come from nowhere. Some are songs I hate, there's a right mixture and I never seem to know whats coming next because I have no choice.

[MtnTime2896]

Stress can cause that sort of thing, added stress can make it worse. At least that's what I was told.

[amicus_curiae]

Certainly!

It’s completely random with me. Music, as *Laurie* says, is the best part of living. I ALWAYS have some tune in my head; music that I love to music that I hate.

I’m just weird/wired that way...

[randomer123]

Well I do have a lot of stress caused by not being able to sleep at proper times, and getting up late which messes up the whole day and can make me late when I need to go places.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'd suggest to see a doctor if it's causing you trouble.

[randomer123]

I wouldn't say it was causing me that much trouble, just a minor annoyance. Sometimes it's more annoying but that may depend on how stressed I am.

It just doesn't seem like something other people have a problem with? Most people say they get a song stuck in their head after hearing it, but then I assume it goes away.

[amandalouise]

yes I have had this problem. I was surprised to find out through google and my treatment providers that its normal and has a name. its called Earworm. no it doesnt mean you have worms, it just means the nerves in your ears and its connection in the brain are reacting in away that is causing audio hallucinations in the form of music. I love it Earworm what a name for it. for me the cause is my MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

your treatment provider can do tests ear/ hearing evaluations, brain scans and such that can tell you what the cause is of your musical Earworm problem is and get you treated for it.

[randomer123]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

yes I have had this problem. I was surprised to find out through google and my treatment providers that its normal and has a name. its called Earworm. no it doesnt mean you have worms, it just means the nerves in your ears and its connection in the brain are reacting in away that is causing audio hallucinations in the form of music. I love it Earworm what a name for it. for me the cause is my MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

your treatment provider can do tests ear/ hearing evaluations, brain scans and such that can tell you what the cause is of your musical Earworm problem is and get you treated for it.

Oh really, when I searched for it, I couldn't find much, but then I didn't know it had a name. Thanks.

[mote.of.soul]

And also drug/alcohol abuse can induce psychosis with symptoms of constantly hearing a radio playing - perhaps music too. Not saying you're abusing substances at all but just putting it out there.

[My Paper Heart]

Ear worm = A song you can't get out of your head. It's really really common -- every student I've ever taught said they've experienced it.

There's a lot of unknowns when it comes to the science of hearing. Tinnitus, for example, is ringing in the ears; however it varies from person to person in how high pitch it is, how loud or quiet it is, if it's non-stop vs continuous, if there's a trigger or or it happens spontaneously... And no one knows what causes it (when it's permanent, that is).

Ear worms are sort of similar in that we don't know a lot about it. It happens more odten with some people than with others and it bothers some more than others. Personally, I have ear worms about 50% of the time and I welcome them... Obsessing over songs is a hell of a lot better than obsessing over worries.

The only fix I've ever heard of -- although it doesn't always work -- is to listen to the actual song from the ear worm.

It's still a problem or bothersome, go see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor, AKA: otolaryngologist) and they may be able to help.

[rise13eyond]

I have this EXACT same problem. Constantly having a song stuck in my head. Well...I guess I can't say constant because it makes way for hallucinations and whatever blabber is going on in my head space, but if I don't have something to listen to then my brain decides to give me something to listen to. I have absolutely no cure for this. But it's kinda nice that I'm not alone.

[*Laurie*]

To me, there's a difference between and earworm (a song stuck in your mind) and "music in your mind". When I am manic I have music playing in my mind constantly. It's not annoying - it's inspiring. I can, for example, lie down and "listen" to an entire song (or songs...or symphony...oftentimes the music is Pink Floyd because of all the subtleties of sound in their music). I find it rather fascinating.


When I'm on a clinical dose (or higher) of Lamictal the music is gone most of the time. (And yes, I miss it.)

I do want to say that having chronically noisy neighbors is pure hell and I'm not sure there are many stresses that are worse.

[randomer123]

I suppose it's not distressing, and I'd rather have this than some other things that may be worse. I just thought that maybe it was just me. I didn't realise that other people have this too. Thanks. I guess most people just don't mention it.