If you think you hear someone say something, but they didn't actually say it, that experience is commonly referred to as an "auditory misperception" or "auditory false perception." It is not typically classified as an auditory hallucination.
An auditory hallucination, as mentioned earlier, is a perceptual experience of hearing sounds or voices that are not present in the external environment. These experiences are vivid and convincing, and the person experiencing them believes the sounds are real, even though they are not.
On the other hand, an auditory misperception is when a person misinterprets or misidentifies a real sound or auditory stimulus. It involves a distortion in the perception of a real external sound rather than the perception of nonexistent sounds, which is characteristic of auditory hallucinations.
Auditory misperceptions can occur in various situations and can sometimes be attributed to factors such as background noise, distractions, or a heightened sensitivity to certain sounds. They are more commonly experienced by individuals without a diagnosed mental health condition.
It's important to note that occasional auditory misperceptions or other minor perceptual errors are relatively common and usually not a cause for concern. However, if someone consistently experiences distressing or disruptive auditory experiences, whether hallucinations or misperceptions, it's essential for them to seek professional evaluation and guidance from a qualified healthcare provider or mental health professional.