Misophonia Prevalence Mumbai Hospital Study

A new study provides the first look at the prevalence of misophonia among Marathi-speaking people in India. The research, led by Suman Chalotra, Nirali Chauhan, and Deepa Valame, found that 11% of participants reported moderate to severe symptoms of the condition. To reach this finding, the team first had to solve a fundamental problem: the lack of a diagnostic tool in the Marathi language, spoken by over 83 million people.

**A Method for Measuring Misophonia in Marathi**

The researchers focused on translating and validating the Amsterdam Misophonia Questionnaire (A-MISO-S), a widely used clinical tool. They followed a rigorous translation protocol established by the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). This involved independent forward and backward translations by bilingual experts, followed by a review by audiologists to ensure the questions made sense in a clinical context—a process known as establishing face validity.

With the translated questionnaire ready, they conducted face-to-face interviews with 227 adults. Individuals with known hearing loss or psychological disorders were excluded to avoid confounding the results. To check the tool’s reliability, 30 participants who were fluent in both English and Marathi completed the questionnaire in both languages, with a two-week gap between tests.

**Findings: Prevalence, Gender Differences, and a Reliable Tool**

The statistical analysis confirmed the Marathi A-MISO-S is a robust instrument. It showed strong internal consistency, meaning all questions reliably measured the same construct, with a Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.82. The test-retest results were also good, indicating the questionnaire produces stable results over time.

Applying this new tool revealed significant data. Eleven percent of the study population scored in the range indicating moderate to severe misophonic symptoms. This suggests a substantial portion of the Marathi-speaking community may experience significant distress from common trigger sounds like chewing, slurping, or pen clicking.

A clear gender difference emerged. Women were significantly more likely to experience misophonia than men, a finding with a p-value of 0.03. The study found no significant association between misophonia and age. This pattern of gender disparity aligns with some global research but requires further investigation to understand its roots, which may involve a complex relationship with psychological factors like anxiety.

**Implications: From Diagnosis to Broader Awareness**

The primary outcome of this work is practical: clinicians in India now have a validated, culturally adapted tool to identify misophonia in Marathi-speaking patients. This is a vital first step toward providing care for a condition often misunderstood or dismissed as simple irritability.

The 11% prevalence figure is a powerful call to action. It confirms that misophonia is not a rare Western phenomenon but a relevant health consideration in India. This study begins to fill a major gap in epidemiological data, showing that a sizeable population may be struggling without recognition or support. Increased awareness among healthcare providers, especially audiologists and mental health professionals, is urgently needed.

For individuals, this research validates an often-isolating experience. Recognizing misophonia as a documented condition can be the first step toward management. While this study did not evaluate treatments, management strategies often include sound therapy and counseling approaches. The neural mechanisms involved in sound intolerance suggest potential overlaps with other conditions; for instance, research into modulating the brain’s “volume knob” for sound hypersensitivity or understanding pain hyperacusis may inform future misophonia therapies. Furthermore, techniques for managing the distress component, such as those explored in combining brain stimulation with psychotherapy, could hold relevance.

The authors conclude that their work should spur more research into the factors that contribute to misophonia. They specifically note the need to explore the gender differences found and the condition’s relationship with other psychological profiles. Having a reliable diagnostic tool in a major Indian language opens the door for these essential next steps in understanding and addressing misophonia.

*Source: Chalotra, S., Chauhan, N. & Valame, D. Translation and validation of Amsterdam Misophonia Questionnaire (A-MISO-S) in Marathi language. *Egypt J Otolaryngol* **40**, 55 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-026-01108-1*