The efficacy of using a personal stereo to treat auditory hallucinations. Preliminary findings.

Johnston et al. (2002) tested one adult who heard distressing voices every day. They used an alternating-treatments design. Some days the person wore no device, some days a fake hearing aid, and some days a personal stereo playing soft music.

Hallucinations were milder on stereo days than on baseline or sham days. The music cut distress without hurting the person’s self-esteem.

Bickel et al. (1984) used the same one-person, alternating-treatments setup, but tested a padded helmet instead of music. Both studies show a cheap wearable can quickly ease severe adult problems.

Jason et al. (1985) also ran a tiny pilot on adult mental-health symptoms. Their stuttering clients used self-control drills; Olwyn used music. Both found quick gains, but neither study had more than one participant.

Junaid et al. (2021) bundled self-management with Instagram feedback for college students. Olwyn’s stereo is a simpler self-management tool—music gives instant private feedback without phones or posts.

If you serve an adult who reports auditory hallucinations, try offering earbuds and calm music during high-risk times. It costs almost nothing, takes no training, and this single case says distress can drop the same day. Track voice severity each session to see if the trick works for your client.