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My mom is 83 and up until a few months ago smart as a tack. She started telling me she heard singing. I researched the singing/deafness (she is a bit deaf) sites and thought that was the answer. But now she says she hears little children up in my bedroom, or me crying out for help. She gets extremely angry at me and even told the doctor last month that I was 'rigging up' the electronics in our home to music, and I even caused the music to happen at the GoodWill Store! She has seen the doctor, who thinks it might be depression but has referred her to a neurologist as well. I'm in a terrible state--afraid to turn on the TV in my room, or make any noise, as she accuses me and gets so very angry. I love my mom, but I don't know if I can really handle these delusions as my explanations don't help and she is so very angry at me when it happens. I don't know what to do.

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Your explanations are not going to help with delusions or auditory hallucinations. Alas, those are illogical and not subject to reason. But they are reality to the person who has them. Seeing a neurologist seems a very appropriate step to me.

I have never heard of auditory hallucinations/delusions as a symptom of depression (thought I certainly don't know everything about depression!) If Mom is depressed it is worthwhile seeking treatment for that, but it may not solve the "music" problem.

Hallucinations are often the first or one of the first signs of Lewy Body Dementia. Am I suggesting that is what your mother has? Heavens no! Just agreeing with her doctor that a neurologist may be the best resource to get to the bottom of this. There are a number of conditions this could be related to.

Meanwhile, try to avoid arguing with her. Acknowledge her complaints and try to redirect her. "Oh Mom, that must be so annoying for you! I don't blame you for being upset. Let's pick out some music you would like to hear, and play it loudly enough to drown that other junk out."

Please come back and let us know what the neurologist suggests, and how this works out for you.
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There could be any number of things going on but the basic checklist is a possible uti which can cause all sorts of dementia behaviors in the elderly. If she's booked to see A neurologist make sure they do basic cognitive testing for dementia. Also talk to her docs about some meds that might calm her a little.
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