What is Déjà entendu?

Déjà entendu is when you hear a sound or song and it feels like you’ve heard it before, even though you haven’t.

Imagine you’re eating your favorite snack, let’s say chocolate chip cookies, and suddenly, the smell of freshly baked cookies fills the air. It reminds you of a time you were sitting in your grandma's kitchen, watching her make cookies. That feeling is kind of like déjà entendu, but with sounds instead of smells.

Sometimes, when you hear music or a voice, it might feel like you’ve heard that exact sound before, even if you're hearing it for the first time. It’s like having a favorite toy that you’ve played with many times. The first time you see it, it feels new, but after playing with it enough, you recognize it instantly.

This can happen when you’re tired or busy, and your brain is trying to make sense of things by linking new sounds to ones you already know. It’s like your brain is saying, “Hey, this reminds me of something I’ve heard before!”