Misophonia….. What do we know? By Dr. Richard Reikowski, Au.D Family Hearing and Balance Center

Misophonia is considered, by many, as a term to describe a disturbance, anger, frustrations, and even hate of various sounds made by others.

These sounds can be made by strangers or loved ones. It often, and in most cases, is not purposeful. In fact, others most often aren’t making these sounds to cause such a negative affect on the misohonia sufferer. It’s just that they do. They inadvertently out of habit makes sounds such as clicking of teeth, sounds of chewing, sniffing, to even tapping of a foot. These sounds cause such a negative and often aggressive feeling of anger or bother to these sounds that the misophonia sufferer needs to leave the room or cover their ears. Even visual movements such as wiggling of a leg or tapping of foot, from a distance and not heard, but seen results in negative feelings.

We do know that people suffer from these sounds. We know that to some people,  various sounds are passed by and not even noticed, but for others a red flag or flare is sent up. We may know someone that is experiencing these sound sensitivities. If so, please let them know that there IS HELP. We are working closely with misophonia suffers to gain a clear understanding of the sounds surrounding the negative concerns. Then, after careful thought, we do our best to offer ideas and ways to be able to live better around these sounds. We are glad to be a part of misophonia patients lives and offer insight in any way that we can. It all starts with discernment of the patients needs, sound sensitivities, hearing status, and then a plan….. can be discussed.