Anauralia, a condition in which auditory imagination is absent, leaving a silent inner world.
Imagine trying to conjure the sound of thunder, birdsong at dawn, or the harmony of a favorite melody in your mind, only to discover that… you can’t.
This is the reality for individuals with aural, a condition in which the auditory imagination is absentleaving a silent inner world.
First identified in 2021 in New Zealand, anauralia sheds light on the complex spectrum of the human imagination.
Anauralia, often accompanied by aphantasia — lack of visual imagination — affects around 1% of the New Zealand population.
Individuals with this condition live without inner voices or mental soundscapes. They cannot simulate common, normal sounds.
Anauralia challenges traditional views on imagination and creativity, highlights the portal.
Despite the challenges, researchers have identified potential advantages, such as greater capacity for focus and fewer mental distractions.
Despite not having mental soundscapes, many affected individuals stand out in their areas, illustrating the adaptability of human cognition.
To further study this enigmatic condition, Waipapa Taumata Rau from the University of Auckland will organize the conference – Mind’s Ear and Inner Voice, in April 2025.
This interdisciplinary event will bring together scientists, philosophers, artists and writers to explore the brain’s ability — or inability — to create imaginary sounds.
A imagination integrates past experiences, sensory information, and learned knowledge to create mental images or sounds.
Regions like the frontal cortex and the hippocampus play fundamental roles in this process, which also triggers emotional responses, increasing the vividness of mental images.
For those with anauralia, however, this process is fundamentally different. Without auditory imagination, even musical composition or creative writing requires alternative strategies, which may include reliance on logical structures, visual cues, or inputs touch
The conference promises new perspectives on the silent mind by bringing together different points of view.
Professor Tony Lambert, one of the main organizers, highlighted that while scientists are fascinated by the brain mechanisms that produce imaginary sounds, scientists Artists see inner voices as an integral part of creativity.
Iconic authors such as Charles Dickens and Alice Walker reported hearing their characters’ voices during the writing process, something unimaginable for individuals with anauralia.
Research includes advanced studies of neuroimaging to understand this condition.
Initial findings suggest that the silent mind has potential for unconventional cognitive strategies and greater attention to the present moment.
