Seeing Scent in Sound: Exploratory Spontaneous Visual and Olfactory Mental Imagery Elicited by Musical Modes
Researchers found that Western musical modes elicit systematic patterns of visual and olfactory imagery. This indicates musical modes are associated with multiple sensory representations extending beyond simple feature-level correspondences.
Pimentel Aldaz, O., & Spence, C. (2026). Seeing scent in sound: exploratory spontaneous visual and olfactory mental imagery elicited by musical modes. Multisensory Research, 1–45. doi:10.1163/22134808-bja10200
Musical Reasoning without a Mind’s Ear: A Comparative Case Study
Musicians with anauralia use kinesthetic, visual, and analytical strategies to perform complex tasks without inner hearing. This shows that auditory imagery is not essential for musical reasoning, suggesting a need for inclusive pedagogy.
Tolman, D. (2026). Musical reasoning without a mind’s ear: a comparative case study. Auditory Perception & Cognition, 1–14. doi:10.1080/25742442.2026.2640817
Redefining the Distinction Between the Mind’s Ear and the Inner Voice
Auditory verbal imagery involves both the mind's ear and the inner voice, which can be selectively disrupted by external sounds or subvocalization. This suggests that auditory and motor processes provide distinct but overlapping pathways for mental speech.
Hubbard, T. L. (2026). Redefining the distinction between the mind’s ear and the inner voice. Auditory Perception & Cognition, 9(1), 7–33. doi:10.1080/25742442.2026.2625168
“Unseen strategies” what can the experience of Aphantasia teach us about cognitive strategies in memory?
Five people with aphantasia described leaning on facts, a soundless inner voice, and notes, photos and other people to remember. The authors suggest these strategies help but only partly offset real memory difficulties.
Hayes, S. J., Miles, G. E., & Evans, S.-A. (2026). “unseen strategies” what can the experience of aphantasia teach us about cognitive strategies in memory?. New Ideas in Psychology, 80, 101215. doi:/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2025.101215
Not Everybody Has an Inner Voice: Behavioral Consequences of Anendophasia
People reporting little inner speech (anendophasia) recalled fewer words and judged picture rhymes less accurately, with no difference in task switching. The gaps vanished among those who said they talked out loud.
Nedergaard, J. S. K., & Lupyan, G. (2024). Not everybody has an inner voice: behavioral consequences of anendophasia. Psychological Science, 35(7), 780–797. doi:10.1177/09567976241243004
The Experience of Music in Aphantasia: Emotion, Reward, and Everyday Functions
People with aphantasia felt slightly less intense emotion to film music and reported fewer music-evoked memories, yet enjoyed music as much as others. The authors suggest imagery may deepen musical emotion but is not needed to enjoy music.
Hashim, S., Pulcini, C., Jansari, A., Küssner, M. B., & Omigie, D. (2024). The experience of music in aphantasia: emotion, reward, and everyday functions. Music & Science, 7. doi:10.1177/20592043231216259
