What you are experiencing is a relatively common phenomenon known as auditory pareidolia. Pareidolia is the tendency of the human brain to perceive familiar patterns, such as faces or shapes, in random stimuli. In the case of auditory pareidolia, people may hear familiar sounds, such as voices or music, in random noise or patterns, like the sound of running water, a vacuum cleaner, or other appliances.
There are a few reasons why this occurs:
Brain's pattern recognition: The human brain is wired to recognize patterns and make sense of the world around us. When we hear random noises or sounds, our brains try to find familiar patterns or shapes within them. This can sometimes lead to the perception of voices or other recognizable sounds.
Background noise: The sound of running water or appliances can create a constant background noise that can mask other sounds in the environment. When there is ambiguity in the auditory input, the brain may interpret it as voices or conversation due to the lack of clear signals.
Sensory deprivation: In some cases, when external stimuli are limited (e.g., being in a quiet room), the brain may start generating its own signals to compensate for the lack of input. This can result in hearing things that aren't actually there.
It's essential to note that experiencing auditory pareidolia does not mean you are going insane. It is a normal and harmless quirk of human perception. Many people experience this phenomenon to some degree. However, if you find these experiences distressing or interfering with your daily life, it's a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying issues or concerns. Otherwise, auditory pareidolia is just one of the fascinating quirks of the human mind.