Misophonia Prevalence in Mumbai Healthcare Study

A new study provides one of the first clear glimpses into the prevalence of misophonia in an Indian population. Researchers found that 11% of 227 participants exhibited moderate to severe symptoms of the condition, characterized by intense emotional and physiological reactions to specific, often everyday, sounds. The work, led by Suman Chalotra, Nirali Chauhan, and Deepa Valame, also validated the first Marathi-language tool for diagnosing misophonia, a step that could improve identification and support for millions.

The findings point to a significant gender disparity. Females in the study were significantly more likely to experience misophonia than males. This aligns with some global trends but highlights a need for further investigation into the complex interplay of social, psychological, and biological factors in sound tolerance disorders.

Building a Diagnostic Tool for a Major Language

The core of this research was the translation and validation of the Amsterdam Misophonia Questionnaire (A-MISO-S) into Marathi, a language spoken by over 83 million people in India. The team followed a rigorous translation protocol, including independent forward and backward translations by bilingual experts, followed by a review by audiologists to ensure the questions made sense clinically.

To test the new tool, researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with 227 individuals, excluding those with known hearing loss or psychological conditions to help isolate misophonia symptoms. They then assessed the questionnaire’s statistical properties. The Marathi A-MISO-S showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.82), meaning its questions reliably measured the same concept. It also demonstrated strong test-retest reliability—participants who retook the test in both Marathi and English after two weeks gave consistent answers.

Prevalence and the Gender Factor

The application of this new tool revealed that over one in ten people (11%) in the study group met the threshold for moderate to severe misophonia. This prevalence rate is a critical data point for India, where awareness of the condition among both the public and clinicians is still growing.

A chi-square test analysis revealed a statistically significant association with gender (p = 0.03), with females reporting more symptoms. The study did not find a significant link between misophonia and age within their sample. The gender finding raises important questions. Is this difference related to reporting bias, societal roles, or underlying neurophysiological variations? As noted in related research on emotional empathy and childhood trauma, psychological factors are deeply intertwined with misophonia and may present differently across demographics.

Clinical and Research Implications

The successful validation of the Marathi A-MISO-S has immediate practical value. Clinics and hospitals in Maharashtra and other Marathi-speaking regions now have a standardized, evidence-based tool to screen for and diagnose misophonia. This can help distinguish it from other hearing-related conditions like hyperacusis, which involves a general intolerance to sound volume rather than a specific emotional trigger, though they can co-occur.

On a broader level, this study underscores that misophonia is a common and significant health concern in India, not a rare or Western-centric phenomenon. The 11% prevalence suggests a substantial portion of the population may be struggling with unidentified sound sensitivity that affects their social, academic, or professional lives. This aligns with the need for greater awareness highlighted in other regional studies, such as the research on prevalence in a Mumbai hospital.

The authors call for more epidemiological work and exploration of contributing factors. Understanding why females appear more affected in this sample is one avenue. Another is investigating the relationship between misophonia and common comorbid conditions like anxiety, which is frequently seen in tinnitus and hearing health populations.

Moving Forward with Better Tools

This research, available with full details via its DOI, provides both a method and a metric. The validated questionnaire is a resource that can lead to earlier identification and intervention. The prevalence data argues for including misophonia in public health conversations about auditory and neurological well-being.

For individuals in Marathi-speaking communities who experience extreme distress from sounds like chewing, tapping, or breathing, this work is a step toward validation and care. It confirms their experience is real, measurable, and shared by many others. Future studies using this tool can begin to map the effectiveness of different management strategies, from cognitive behavioral therapy to sound-based approaches, creating a better-informed path forward for patients and clinicians alike.