In the context of auditory hallucinations, what might an individual experience?

An individual experiencing auditory hallucinations primarily perceives sounds that are not present in the external environment. This often manifests as hearing voices, which can sometimes include derogatory comments, commands, or engaging in multiple conversations that aren't actually occurring. This symptom is particularly prominent in various mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and can significantly affect a person's reality and sense of self.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different types of sensory experiences: seeing flashes of light relates to visual hallucinations, feeling touches corresponds with tactile hallucinations, and detecting non-existent odors involves olfactory hallucinations. While these are valid hallucinatory experiences, they do not fall under the category of auditory hallucinations. Thus, the profound impact of auditory experiences on a person's mental state underlines why this particular choice stands out in the context of the question.