A Clear Guide to Misophonia
Advanced Care for Misophonia
Misophonia causes strong emotional and physical reactions to specific everyday sounds, such as chewing or breathing. Many people experience this sensitivity, and it does not indicate ear damage. Prompt audiovestibular medicine review is needed if reactions escalate suddenly, affect safety, trigger severe anxiety or aggression, or occur with neurological symptoms or imbalance.
Sound-Trigger Reactions
An Overview of Misophonia
Misophonia is a condition where specific sounds trigger intense emotional or physical reactions that feel automatic and difficult to control. Common triggers include chewing, breathing, tapping, or repetitive noises. Hearing itself is usually normal, but the brain assigns an exaggerated threat or distress response to particular sounds, leading to irritation, anxiety, or anger.
The condition often begins in childhood or adolescence and varies in severity. Misophonia does not reflect intolerance of all sounds and is not a hearing disorder in the traditional sense. Instead, it involves altered sound processing and emotional regulation. With our appropriate assessment, people can better understand triggers and develop strategies to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.
Pinpointing the Cause
Diagnosing Misophonia
When to Get Checked
Misophonia can become more disruptive over time, especially when reactions begin to affect relationships, work, or emotional wellbeing. Early review helps clarify triggers and reduce escalation.
You should get assessed if reactions intensify suddenly, lead to panic, anger, or avoidance, affect concentration or sleep, interfere with daily activities, or are accompanied by anxiety, mood changes, neurological symptoms, or sound sensitivity following illness, head injury, or significant stress that alters behaviour or safety.
How We Assess Misophonia
At Harley AVM, our physicians prioritise in-depth conversations about sound triggers and emotional responses. We explore which sounds cause distress, how reactions develop, and how symptoms affect relationships, work, and daily routines. We also discuss stress levels, sleep, mental wellbeing, and any associated hearing or balance concerns to build a complete picture of how misophonia presents for each individual.
Testing is used selectively to rule out overlapping auditory conditions. It may include pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflex threshold testing, eustachian tube function assessment, otoacoustic emissions, speech audiometry, and speech-in-noise tests. Our senior audiovestibular professional oversees the assessment, ensuring findings are interpreted within a behavioural, neurological, and auditory framework.
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DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Specialist Tests to Assess Hearing, Balance and Inner Ear Health
Harley Street Specialists in Hearing, Dizziness & Balance
Specialist Care for Misophonia
Every Misophonia case is different. Your consultant will create a tailored plan to address your specific symptoms and lifestyle – when it started, how it affects your day, and which tests and treatments are right for you.