Misophonia and Stress in Audiology Students

University students studying occupational therapy reported significantly higher levels of misophonia symptoms and perceived stress than their peers in audiology, according to a new study. The research, led by Rahmiye Nur Aktan, Ali Karaağaç, and Hilal Nur Saygılı, provides new evidence that misophonia is a multidimensional condition deeply intertwined with emotional regulation and stress, not just an auditory issue.

How Researchers Measured Misophonia and Stress

The study involved 196 adult university students from occupational therapy and audiology departments. Each participant completed three forms: a demographic questionnaire, the Misophonia Questionnaire (MQ), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

The MQ is a validated tool that measures the severity of sound-triggered emotional and behavioral reactions. The PSS assesses how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded an individual feels their life to be. Statistical analysis confirmed both scales had good internal consistency, meaning the questions reliably measured the same underlying concepts.

This methodological approach allowed the team to not only gauge symptom severity but also to explore connections between misophonia, stress, and factors like academic discipline and access to psychological support.

Key Findings: Sensory Sensitivity, Stress, and Support

The analysis revealed clear, statistically significant differences across all parameters when comparing groups by stress status and academic department.

Occupational therapy students consistently scored higher on both the MQ and the PSS. The authors propose this may stem from their professional training, which heightens awareness of sensory processing and its impact on daily function. This heightened sensory sensitivity could make them more attuned to—and more distressed by—specific trigger sounds.

A particularly striking finding was the stress levels of participants not receiving psychological support. Their scores were significantly higher than those who had access to such care. This directly points to the emotional toll of misophonia and the potential value of therapeutic intervention in managing its impact.

While age was not a significant factor, gender, department, and family history did produce distinct differences on some sub-scales. This supports the view that misophonia is influenced by a complex mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

Misophonia is More Than Just Sound Sensitivity

The study’s conclusions move beyond a simple model of sound intolerance. The strong correlation between misophonia symptom severity and perceived stress levels indicates the condition is deeply embedded in the brain’s emotional and stress-response systems.

“These results emphasise the importance of considering not only the neurophysiological basis of misophonia, but also its psychosocial dimensions,” the authors write. It is not merely a hearing problem; it is a pattern of intense emotional reactivity triggered by sound, often leading to significant distress and impaired daily life.

The findings also align with existing literature suggesting misophonia symptoms often begin in childhood or adolescence and can persist chronically into adulthood. This underscores the importance of early identification, as explored in our related article on Managing Misophonia in Adolescents and Young Adults.

Practical Implications for Treatment and Awareness

This research has several clear implications for clinical practice and public awareness.

The Need for a Multidisciplinary Approach

The authors explicitly suggest that a multidisciplinary approach could improve treatment outcomes. Effective management likely requires collaboration between audiologists, occupational therapists, and mental health professionals. Audiologists can assess auditory function and recommend sound therapy, while occupational therapists can address sensory integration and daily functioning. Psychologists or counselors are critical for addressing the emotional reactions and stress, using techniques like the cognitive reappraisal explored in other studies.

Raising Awareness Among Healthcare Students

The study highlights a gap in awareness even among students training in relevant health fields. Increased education about misophonia in audiology, occupational therapy, and psychology curricula is essential. This can lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis, reducing the years of misunderstanding many individuals with misophonia endure. Our article on Misophonia Awareness and Stress in Health Students further explores this theme.

Prioritizing Psychological Support

The elevated stress in individuals without psychological support is a major red flag. It argues strongly for making mental health resources accessible as a core component of misophonia management. Stress reduction techniques, such as those outlined in Mindfulness Meditation Rewires Tinnitus Reaction & Stress, may offer valuable coping tools, given the shared pathways of stress reactivity in sound intolerance disorders.

The study by Aktan and colleagues, available in full via DOI: 10.1186/s43163-026-01163-8, adds robust evidence that misophonia is a complex condition sitting at the intersection of sensory processing and emotional health. Recognizing its multidimensional nature is the first step toward developing more effective, compassionate care.