Does anybody else hear a buzzing sound when they see lights?

[Kempy]

I wasn't sure how to explain this. Looking at the flashing cursor in this text box, I also hear a buzzing sound that goes on and off corresponding with the cursor. It's like my brain interprets some of the visual signals as sound. I've always had it but I am starting to become conscious of whether or not these things are normal.

 

[whale_bone]

hmm it might be synesthesia related. Basically a cross-wiring of senses... it's fairly common in ASDs. Some people have really useful synesthesia like Daniel Tammet and his number-colour-texture synesthesia. I do it with words. Try experimenting with different frequencies of flashing and see if you hear different buzzing sounds.

 

[Kempy]

I looked up synthesia and was surprised to find that it explained exactly what I experience. What surprised me more though was that I always thought that everyone had it. Turns out to be another reason why I'm different.

I also read about space-time synthesia. Again I was surprised that it explained what I see and feel, and again that it was quite rare. I thought everyone could picture dates and times as positions in a 3 dimensional space. Again, it was very much an eye opener.

Furthermore, space-time synthesia may explain why I was able to tell the time at 2 and a half years old. The concept of time was already visual (although I used to experience it as being a moving filmstrip). When I learned to read clocks, I simply changed my visual representation of time to be a clock face. I also have a separate system for visualising years on an organised, snake-like timeline. I'll try and put some images together to explain what I see.

 

[whale_bone]

Ah very cool! I would totally like to see what you mean. Do you use affect too? Like attach a feeling to a day of the week or hour or something...
Ooooh and do you remember everything that happens to you in terms of your personal time scale?

 

[Kempy]

This is bizarre. I'm thinking about things I haven't considered since I was a very young kid, like what gender a particular number is. Oh heck. I just this moment remembered something that sent a shiver down my spine. When I was about 3-4, we had a tape with kids songs on it and I remember the shapes and colours I used to associate with each song! I need to find that tape now!

 

[Geordie]

Yes, why is it that the lights are buzzing when they are on? Oh my am I seeing anything? Hmm...

 

[KinksFan]

I hear that buzzing noise, when I walk past really bright lights. I can really hear the noise, in all the different department stores, around town.

 

[Geordie]

What about 3D movies? They seem too dazzling around me.

 

[Kit]

I hear nothing.

 

[Coupe]

I used to hear buzzing when I'd look up at the really bright fluorescent lights at some of the schools I went to as a kid. I always thought they buzzed like that because the type of bulb was incompatible with the socket or something like that. I never knew it could possibly be related to synesthesia (sp?).

 

[Ezra]

YES