A visit may be easier to plan when a business can explain its quieter times, seating choices, and ordering options. Ask for a specific adjustment and check what is available. The aim is to find a workable way to access the service.
Choose options with the person who needs them. These are discussion ideas to adapt, not requirements to apply as a package.
Before a visit
Ask about busy periods, food-related activities, background sound, and any quieter areas. Information about the setting can be useful even when the business cannot change it. Online menus or service information can help you decide what to ask in advance.
Seating and eating arrangements
Discuss a quieter table, more distance from a recurring sound, or a separate dining space where one exists. At a group event, a non-food activity or alternate seating arrangement may be another option. Confirm the person’s preference rather than deciding on their behalf.
Waiting and queues
Ask whether you can wait outside or in a quieter place and receive a text when ready. Confirm how to check in and how quickly to return. In a shop, a different checkout or service time may be worth discussing.
Alternative ways to receive the service
Where offered, consider online ordering, curbside pickup, delivery, or written communication. Check costs, timing, and any limitations. These options are choices to explore, not a requirement to avoid visiting a business.
For staff and managers
Give clear information about available seating and service options. Agree who can respond to a discreet request and how to handle it without drawing unnecessary attention. If an option is unavailable, explain the alternatives that can actually be provided.
Example request
“Do you have a quieter table away from the busiest area? If there is a wait, could I leave my name and wait outside until you text me?”
Planning checklist
- Ask about the setting and quieter times.
- Choose the seating or service adjustment to request.
- Confirm the waiting and contact process.
- Check alternative ordering options and any costs.
- Review whether the visit arrangements met your needs.
Further resources
Explore IMF’s free resources or browse the provider directory.
About these options
These ideas draw on the restaurants, cafeterias, shops, and other businesses section of IMF’s Misophonia Accessibility Input Survey. They are starting points for discussion, not findings from survey responses or a tested treatment protocol. Availability and procedures vary between providers and settings.
