Misophonia, often misunderstood or overlooked, is a neurophysiological disorder where specific sounds provoke intense emotional and physiological responses. The term was first introduced by audiologists Margaret and Pawel Jastreboff in 2001. Through their work, they noticed that some individuals reacted strongly to everyday sounds—such as chewing, tapping, or typing—triggering reactions far beyond annoyance or discomfort. They proposed that misophonia involved heightened arousal of the autonomic nervous system, sparking a “fight-or-flight” response. Unlike those with hyperacusis, who hear sounds more loudly, people with misophonia respond to repetitive, pattern-based sounds with severe irritation and anxiety.
Sign our Petition to Recognize Misophonia
in the DSM-6 and ICD-12
Our Mission
The International Misophonia Foundation is dedicated to serving the needs of individuals and families impacted by Misophonia through increasing ethical, accurate, and educational resources for researchers, institutions, policy makers, and individuals and families impacted by Misophonia. The International Misophonia Foundation seeks to increase the development of research that respects the needs and dignity of those suffering with Misophonia by facilitating and publishing original research as well as offering institutions and individuals researchers consultation services, publication assistance, funding opportunities, and ethical oversight. The International Misophonia Foundation also seeks to increase awareness and understanding of Misophonia through providing resources to educate sufferers, researchers, clinicians, and the public about how this disorder effects individuals and families as well as best practices for increasing inclusion of individuals and families living with Misophonia.
The International Misophonia Foundation 501 (c)(3) is embarking on a journey to build a sensory-based retreat, base of operations, a place to host conferences, and a treatment center.
This center will include initial research project stability, with more plans for a larger research presence in the future.
We plan to have the following operations as part of our initial growth:
• Our main office
• A sensory-based retreat including soundproof cabins and sensory activities (spa based, sensory deprivation, etc.)
• Psychoeducation classes and clinician training
• Small research projects
• Interventions and cognitive/sensory-based treatments
We can’t embark on this project without the support of the community, both financially and in spirit. Since beginning last year, the IMF has embarked on many misophonia-based projects, and we feel it is time to grow and move into more expansive efforts.
Misophonia Support Coaching for Pre-teens, Teens, Adults, and Families
Shaylynn Hayes-Raymond offers personalized coaching sessions for individuals of all ages—pre-teens, teens, adults, and their families—affected by misophonia. Whether you are seeking support for yourself or a family member, these sessions focus on psychoeducation, coping strategies, and building practical skills. Packages are flexible and can be booked per session or as part of a structured program:
1 session: $125 USD
6 sessions: $600 USD
10 sessions (structured program): $1000 USD
The Misophonia Matters Class, Book, and Workbook
Misophonia Matters is an advocacy-based coping skills class, book, and workbook for adults, teens, and clinicians by long-time advocate Shaylynn Hayes-Raymond. Shaylynn has been advocating for misophonia since 2015 and moved to a career in counselling based on her experiences as a misophonia advocate and sufferer of the disorder. The Misophonia Matters approach includes advocacy, psychoeducation, sensory-based skills, and cognitive and psychological skills. Worksheets are presented throughout the program. Central to Misophonia Matters is the idea that while we cannot treat and prevent misophonia, we can learn to navigate and adapt to our world through accommodation, coping skills, and an empathetic advocacy-based approach.
ClassBookWorkbook
Take the Misophonia Matters Class
Misophonia Matters is an advocacy-based coping skills class, book, and workbook for adults, teens, and clinicians by long-time advocate Shaylynn Hayes-Raymond. Shaylynn has been advocating for misophonia since 2015 and moved to a career in counselling based on her experiences as a misophonia advocate and sufferer of the disorder. The Misophonia Matters approach includes advocacy, psychoeducation, sensory-based skills, and cognitive and psychological skills. Worksheets are presented throughout the program. Central to Misophonia Matters is the idea that while we cannot treat and prevent misophonia, we can learn to navigate and adapt to our world through accommodation, coping skills, and an empathetic advocacy-based approach.
Donation Campagins
Since we believe in choice, we are offering separate donation campaigns based on needs. You can allocate where your funds will go within the organization.
