What can cause auditory hallucinations?

I have been experiencing auditory hallucinations in the form of hearing the same words over and over again sort of like a chant. I have been to an ear specialist who says I have exceptional hearing and to a psychiatrist who tells me I am absolutely sane and do not show signs of psychosis. He tried several types of medication that only caused me more problems with side effects and did not help my symptoms. I am becoming more and more depressed as this problem causes me to loose concentration. It is not voices but rather inside my brain as if the brain can not interpret the thought process. I am 60 years old and there is no history of alzheimer's disease but there is a history of stroke. I have severe apnea and very frequently it feels like my head explodes. When a person has a stroke and loses ability to speak what happens? Could a brain infarct cause a similar attack that doesn't quite cause a stroke but that could impair the thought process and lead to these auditory sounds?

Any disorder or disease of the brain or nervous system can cause it, including mental disorders schizophrenia like they already said. Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, the list goes on and on. DRUG and ALCOHOL abuse will definitely give you this type of issue. Keep seeing different physicians to rule out something physical, and make sure this isn't just caused by a major stressor.

the following cause one to hear voices,

schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder,bipolar with mania

Auditory hallucinations are one of the major symptoms of schizophrenia. Find a different psychiatrist and maybe a psychologist, because my guess is that it is schizophrenia and you don't want it to prgress any worse.

yeah i think that a sroke can cause these things and also you said that you had sleep apnea so lack of sleep can cause these things. i would have to say that if you are 60 years old and have never experianced these things before your stroke than i would have to go with that, and yes i would imagine that it would be rather annoying when you can't concentrate. but strokes can be little and you could be having what they call tia's which are little strokes which cause confusion and so you might want your doc to check that out. don't let it depress you. you are still young and you can overcome these things. you might just need to really watch your blood pressure and cholesterol. hope this helps and i hope you get to feeling better

schizophrenia

get a carotid ultrasound, you may not be getting enough oxygen to your brain...very often, plaque causes a blockage in these arteries ( major arteries in your neck)and a Dr may hear bruies on exam. Since you have a stroke hx in your family and due to your age, you should be on daily aspirin at least and it is very possible to have dementia with no familial history, so don't rule that out. ps. when you have aphasia caused by a stroke(inability to express words), it's because there is damage to your brain in the speech center. You would probably know if you had had a stroke, but TIA's(mini strokes) happen and then resolve in 24 hrs or less. good luck to you, find yourself a good dr!

A variety of things can cause them. Some common causes are schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, severe depression, bipolar disorder and alcohol withdrawal hallucinosis. True auditory hallucinations involve the perception of the voices (or other sounds) coming from outside your head, through your ears as if a real person is there talking to you. Voices that are "in your head" are usually considered thoughts. This could possible be the results of the stroke but maybe you should see a neurologist and get a complete exam.