5yo hearing voices

[GoldStarAngel]

Well he says he isn't but when he is watching tv he suddenly tells us all to be quiet even if we have not said anything, and then even if we are all there holding our breath for fear of making noise breathing he will accuse us of talking and then get into a brain rut and keep rewinding what he is watching back to when it got 'interrupted' by us not talking. This can go on for half an hour with him getting increasingly agitated and aggressive (he is 5) and then something will help him snap out of the rut like a new idea for doing an activity, but only if this comes from him not from us. Help - it is exhausting but also I am worried for him.

IS he hearing something? Next door maybe? Radio is another room? Can he understand what they are saying or is it more of a background hum? Perhaps he just has very good hearing. I can hear high pitched noises better than most. I hear cat deterrents and dog whistles.

If its distressing him then I'd say take him to the GP.

It could be just childhood imagination but if it continues get it checked out ASAP

There's an autism trait that's like hearing things that have been said (or seen, or smelled, etc.) on a loop. I have this. It is loud. I also have it visually when I try to sleep at night. Might it be this?

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut I’m similar and can hear cat deterrents

@GoldStarAngel a hearing test may help; he may have tinnitus or other auditory issues

Does it only happen while watching tv?

Might be auditory processing issue if so.

That’s interesting @dudsville. He shows no other signs of autism though. Can it stand alone as the only symptom?

@niceupthedance so far just when watching tv or once when we were in the car with music on. He got upset when we started singing along so we stopped but for ages after he said we were still singing and was v cross with us and kept screaming for the song to go back to the beginning which we did only for him to then say we were singing again even though we weren’t and the cycle would start again. Funnily enough he can sometimes be distracted with food but I don’t think he is particularly hungry when it is happening.

Interesting that it only happens while watching tv. Could you have a 1-week break from tv and then try again? Maybe it’s become a bit of a habit and breaking the cycle will stop it. If not then I agree with seeking some help.

Auditory seizure.

I wouldn't say hearing voices from a mental health perspective, based on what you said. More likely to be an auditory issue, as PP said.

Thanks - lots to google. Bit worried now