Clairaudience

[Jhanananda]

Clairaudience is hearing sounds that occur as a product of leading a rigorous contemplative life.  You may find reading and viewing the following essay and video of interest on this subject:

Clairaudience or Charismatic hearing or the Divine Ear and meditation induced tinnitus (May 9, 2004)
http://www.greatwesternvehicle.org/clairaudience.htm
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK9V26Io7jY

[trjones]

I have perpetual tinnitus that has only increased as I have moved deeper into the Jhanas and by now it is so loud I can hear it above everything if I put my awareness on it. I no longer need to use my breath as a meditation object (unless I choose to) because I can use the ringing in my ears. However, after watching your video, Jhananda, I am not certain that mine is meditatively induced because it is louder in my left ear (but its in both). But I realized that either way, charismatic or biological or whatever, I now have another built in meditation object. Another thing I am certain of, is the external world keeps getting louder the more I meditate; but the ringing in my ears lets me retreat from it.

[Jhanananda]

Good to know that you have found the charism (jhana-nimitta) of sound.  While it is typically in both ears, or the center of the head, for most contemplatives, I would not rule out that it is purely charismatic (jhana-nimitta), because you say it get louder when you meditate, and you have found it an effective vehicle for meditating to deeper states (samadhi).  Yes, once one has found the charisms (jhasna-nimitta), then there is no need for the meditation object, because the meditation object is meant only to lead one to a still mind and the charisms (jhana-nimitta).