Are you hearing things? Phantom ringtone phenomenon

Just when you thought things couldn't get more bizarre -- listen to this.

If you can believe it, an increasing number of mobile users are mistakenly hearing their ringtone, even when there is no incoming call. "This audio illusion - called phantom phone rings or, more whimsically, ringxiety or fauxcellarm - has emerged recently as an internet discussion topic and has become a new reason for people to either bemoan the techno-saturation of modern life or question their sanity," explains Brenda Goodman of the New York Times.

Ringtones have always sparked controversy; people continue to use them to brand and differentiate themselves, but nevertheless they remain increasingly annoying in public gatherings. The ringtone sector is a growing multi-billion dollar industry. Many of the most common ringtones you hear are rap or hip-hop which unfortunately is a genre that still irritates a large percentage of the population. Annoying as they may be to some, hip-hop ringtone sales are still an important indicator of the popularity of a given track (and are a key metric for artists and labels alike). Still, the presence of phantom rings is something new, and indicates just how prevalent the ringtone is in today's society.