← Misophonia Awareness Campaign

Free public awareness resource

Understanding misophonia

A short explainer to share with family members, educators, co-workers and community groups.

What is misophonia?

Misophonia involves strong emotional, physical or behavioural reactions to specific sounds or related cues. The reaction is not simply about a sound being too loud. Different people have different triggers, responses and levels of interference with daily life.

What might trigger a reaction?

Examples may include chewing, breathing, tapping and repetitive noises. For some people, seeing a movement associated with a sound can also be difficult. These are examples, not a diagnostic checklist.

What does a reaction look like?

Someone may feel intense distress, anger, disgust, anxiety or physical arousal. They may need to move away, stop an activity or ask for a change in the environment. The experience is not the same for every person.

Why awareness matters

Misophonia can affect school, work, healthcare, relationships and everyday activities. Dismissing reactions as deliberate rudeness or ordinary annoyance can make communication and practical planning more difficult.

How to respond when someone tells you about a trigger

• Ask which sound or situation is difficult instead of assuming.
• Discuss practical adjustments, such as another seating option, a quieter area or a different way to communicate.
• Do not deliberately make a triggering sound to test their reaction.
• Review whether the adjustment actually helps.

What research can and cannot say

Researchers continue to study mechanisms, assessment and support. There is no single confirmed cause or universally effective treatment. For further detail, see the Misophonia Research portal.

Share this page

Use this link in a newsletter, class resource list, workplace notice or community discussion: https://misophoniafoundation.com/awareness/understanding-misophonia/

Research reference: Swedo et al. (2022), consensus definition of misophonia. Read the publication.

← Back to Misophonia Awareness and all free awareness materials

This is public educational information, not a diagnosis or individualized clinical recommendation. Misophonia experiences differ; ask people which adjustments are useful to them.