A useful appointment plan can cover the waiting area, communication, and the visit itself. Contact the service before arrival where possible and describe the changes you would like to discuss. These options concern access to an appointment, rather than treatment for misophonia.
Choose options with the person who needs them. These are discussion ideas to adapt, not requirements to apply as a package.
Waiting outside the usual waiting room
Ask whether you can wait in a quieter area or outside and receive a text when the clinician is ready. Confirm where to check in, how staff will contact you, and how quickly you need to return. If that arrangement is unavailable, ask about quieter seating or appointment times.
Explain preferences in advance
A short written note can identify difficult sounds, preferred seating, and a discreet signal for a pause. Ask who will receive the note and how relevant staff will see it. Include what you want staff to do, rather than only listing sounds you find difficult.
During an examination or procedure
Ask what sounds or steps to expect and whether a pause is possible. Agree a signal before beginning. Some parts of care cannot be interrupted safely; discuss the limits with the clinician and agree what can be changed. Any headphones or ear protection must be compatible with necessary communication and care.
Choose a workable appointment format
Where clinically appropriate and offered by the service, ask about telehealth, a quieter room, adjusted seating, or a support person. A remote appointment will not suit every clinical task. Confirm what can be completed remotely and what would still require attendance.
Leave with clear information
Ask for written follow-up instructions where available. Before leaving, confirm the next step, any further appointment arrangements, and whom to contact if an accommodation was not available. You should not have to rely on remembering every detail from a difficult visit.
Example request
“Waiting-room sounds are difficult for me. After checking in, could I wait outside and receive a text when you are ready? During the appointment, could we agree a hand signal for a pause when it is safe to stop?”
Planning checklist
- Contact the service about the particular visit.
- Confirm the check-in and contact process.
- Discuss expected sounds and any limits on breaks.
- Agree how staff will receive your written preferences.
- Request follow-up information in a usable format.
Further resources
Explore IMF’s free resources or browse the provider directory.
About these options
These ideas draw on the healthcare, counseling, and support services 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.
