The brain fabricates phantom sound when expected sensory input is absent

Evidence

“You’ve heard of the phantom-limb effect,” he says, “this is the same thing.” In other words, the brain, knowing it cannot rely on the implants, invents what it longs to hear. — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 324

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute…, 324
• XREF: connects to: In sound’s absence the brain amplifies its own internal signals to compensate — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute…, 610; The brain amplifies internal noise so total silence cannot be perceived — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute…, 609; Reduced auditory input causes the brain to amplify internal neural noise — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute…, 563 (+18 more)

Library Connections

• In sound’s absence the brain amplifies its own internal signals to compensate #expands (0.95) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 610
• The brain amplifies internal noise so total silence cannot be perceived #expands (0.92) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 609
• Reduced auditory input causes the brain to amplify internal neural noise #expands (0.90) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 563
• Near-total silence reveals that most people generate internal sound perceived as tinnitus #exemplifies (0.88) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 571
• Hearing loss causes the brain to amplify then fabricate sound as tinnitus #exemplifies (0.85) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 331
• The act of hearing itself makes total sensory silence unattainable #corroborates (0.85) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 526
• Absolute silence cannot exist because the body always produces sound #qualifies (0.82) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 234
• The brain’s evolved vigilance actively forecloses the possibility of true silence #corroborates (0.80)
• Deep silence can feel like a sensory presence rather than mere absence #qualifies (0.80) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 35

Broader Connections

• In near-total silence a person may hear the mechanics of their own body #exemplifies (0.78) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 578
• Brains conditioned by evolution may generate sound when none exists #corroborates (0.75) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 333
• Total sensory absence can feel generative rather than merely frightening #qualifies (0.75) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 496