Misophonia and Stress in Audiology Students

A new study of 196 university students has found a direct link between the severity of misophonia symptoms and higher levels of perceived stress. The research, led by Rahmiye Nur Aktan, Ali Karaağaç, and Hilal Nur Saygılı, also revealed that occupational therapy students scored higher on measures of both misophonia and stress than their audiology peers, suggesting a complex interplay between sensory awareness, emotional regulation, and this sound intolerance disorder.

## Methodology: Measuring Misophonia and Stress in Future Clinicians

The research team recruited 196 adult students from occupational therapy and audiology programs. Each participant completed three tools: a demographic form to gauge their prior knowledge of misophonia, the Misophonia Questionnaire (MQ) to assess symptom severity, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure their subjective stress levels over the previous month.

The researchers confirmed the internal consistency of their measures was acceptable. The Cronbach’s alpha values for the MQ subscales ranged from 0.752 to 0.829, and the PSS scored 0.709, indicating the scales reliably measured what they were designed to.

## Occupational Therapy Students Show Higher Symptom and Stress Scores

A central finding was the difference between the two student groups. Occupational therapy students scored higher on both the MQ and the PSS compared to audiology students. This difference was statistically significant across all parameters.

The authors propose this may be linked to the core training of occupational therapists, which often involves deep study of sensory processing and integration. This heightened sensory awareness could make students in this field more attuned to—and therefore more reactive to—specific triggering sounds. It may also reflect a greater personal experience with sensory sensitivities that drew them to the profession.

## The Strong Correlation Between Symptom Severity and Perceived Stress

The data showed a clear relationship: as misophonia symptom severity increased, so did reported levels of perceived stress. This correlation supports the growing understanding of misophonia as a condition that extends far beyond the ears.

“The findings suggest that misophonia is a multidimensional condition interacting with emotional regulation, stress response and adaptation to environmental stimuli, rather than merely an auditory sensitivity,” the authors write in their paper, available via DOI: 10.1186/s43163-026-01163-8.

This aligns with other research exploring the role of emotional regulation in misophonia. The stress response triggered by sounds like chewing or pen-clicking appears to be a core feature of the disorder.

## Demographic Factors and the Need for Psychological Support

While age was not a significant factor in symptom severity, other demographic variables were. Gender, department of study, and a family history of similar sensitivities produced distinct differences on some sub-scales of the MQ.

One of the most practical findings was related to psychological support. Participants who reported they were not receiving any form of psychological support had significantly higher stress scores. This highlights a critical gap in care and underscores the need for accessible strategies to help individuals manage the emotional fallout of misophonia. The chronic nature of the condition, which the study notes often begins in childhood and persists into adulthood, makes this support even more vital.

## Implications for a Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach

The conclusions of this study point firmly away from a simple, hearing-based model of misophonia. The strong links to stress, emotional response, and sensory processing argue for a broader view.

The researchers state their results “emphasise the importance of considering not only the neurophysiological basis of misophonia, but also its psychosocial dimensions.” They advocate for a multidisciplinary approach to improve treatment outcomes. This could involve collaboration between audiologists, occupational therapists, and mental health professionals.

This integrated perspective is reflected in emerging treatment research. For instance, some studies are investigating how vagus nerve stimulation may help modulate the nervous system’s overreaction to trigger sounds. Similarly, understanding shared mechanisms with conditions like PTSD and tinnitus could open new therapeutic avenues.

For students in healthcare fields—and for clinicians already in practice—this study serves as a call for greater awareness. Recognizing misophonia as a legitimate, stress-exacerbating condition is the first step toward providing effective support and developing the comprehensive management strategies that individuals desperately need.