The Enigma of the Silent Mind: What Have We Learned About Anauralia?
Auditory Perception & Cognition April 3, 2026 Anthony J. Lambert, Zoé Mi Schelp, Gage Quigley-Tump et al.
Anauralia—the absence of auditory imagery, or a lack of a 'mind's ear'—is estimated to occur in a notable portion of the general population, based on a large representative sample. A new measure, the Auckland Auditory Imagery Scale (AAIS), captures both receptive (mind's ear) and productive (inner voice) dimensions of auditory imagery. Distinct dimensions of sensory imagery (mind's ear, inner voice, visual imagery) were differentially associated with distinct psychological attributes, including personality, wellbeing, self-control, neurodiversity, mindfulness, creativity, working memory, and autobiographical memory. The findings highlight wide variation in inner sensory experience and the need for psychological theory to embrace neurocognitive diversity.