Diseases & Conditions
When everyday noises upset you
If the sounds of chewing, sniffling, heavy breathing, and the like really bother you, you might be dealing with misophonia. Here's how to cope with this surprisingly common condition.
- Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Enduring a slurping spouse, joint-cracking colleague, or throat-clearing friend can be a sigh-inducing, eye-rolling experience. But the reaction goes beyond mere annoyance for people who respond to these everyday sounds — or others like snoring, sniffling, loud chewing, yawning, and heavy breathing — with agitation, rage, or disgust.
Their aversion is part of a strikingly common sensory processing disorder known as misophonia, which is characterized by an outsized emotional response to sounds others make. A study published online March 22, 2023, by the journal PLOS One estimates that nearly one in five adults deals with the condition, with women responding more intensely than men.
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About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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