You can actually use a
WAV sound file as your buddy icon, but instead of
displaying an image, it will play the sound. To do
this, change your buddy icon as normal, but when the
window comes up asking you to select a buddy icon file,
type "*wav" and hit enter.

This will display all the
WAV files in the directory you are in. Browse your
computer and find the WAV file you want to use as your
buddy icon, select it, click "OK" and then close
your preferences window. The next time you IM
someone they will hear the WAV file you selected play.
Notes: The WAV
file MUST be less then 7168 bytes otherwise AIM won't let
you load it as your buddy icon.