Misophonia, Stress, and Hearing Health Students

A study of 196 university students has found that greater awareness of misophonia is linked to higher self-reported symptom severity, particularly among students in sensory-focused fields like occupational therapy. The research also establishes a significant relationship between the severity of misophonic reactions and an individual’s perceived stress levels.

How Researchers Measured Misophonia and Stress

To explore the connection between misophonia, awareness, and stress, researchers Rahmiye Nur Aktan, Ali Karaağaç, and Hilal Nur Saygılı recruited 196 adult university students from occupational therapy and audiology departments. Participants completed three main assessments: a demographic form probing their knowledge of misophonia, the Misophonia Questionnaire (MQ) to gauge symptom severity, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure stress levels.

The statistical analysis confirmed the tools were reliable for this group. The internal consistency of the MQ subscales was strong, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.752 to 0.829. The PSS also showed acceptable reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.709. This gave the team confidence that their measurements for misophonia symptoms and perceived stress were both consistent and valid for analysis.

Higher Awareness Correlates with Higher Symptom Reports

The results revealed clear patterns. Occupational therapy students scored higher on both the Misophonia Questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale compared to their peers in audiology. The authors propose this may be due to occupational therapy students’ trained focus on sensory processing and sensitivity, which could lead to greater awareness of their own physiological and emotional reactions to sound. In other words, their education might make them more attuned to the very symptoms being measured.

This finding directly connects to the study’s aim to determine the correlation between misophonia symptoms and awareness. It suggests that knowledge of the condition influences how individuals perceive and report their experiences. The data showed statistically significant differences across all parameters when analyzed by department and stress status (p < 0.05). While age was not a significant factor, gender, department of study, and a family history of sound sensitivity produced distinct differences in some sub-scales of the MQ.

The Stress-Misophonia Link and a Gap in Support

A central finding of this study is the established relationship between misophonia symptom severity and perceived stress levels. The more severe an individual’s misophonic reactions, the higher their reported stress. This reinforces the idea that misophonia is not a simple hearing issue but a complex condition that interacts with an individual’s emotional regulation and overall stress response system.

A particularly telling result was the high stress scores among participants who reported they were not receiving any form of psychological support. This points to a critical gap. Individuals struggling with the anger, anxiety, and irritation triggered by misophonia may lack access to or awareness of strategies that could help them manage the resulting distress. For related insights on the psychological dimensions of sound tolerance, see our article on Tinnitus Severity Linked to Four Psychosocial Profiles.

Implications for a Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach

The conclusions drawn by Aktan, Karaağaç, and Saygılı emphasize a shift in perspective. Misophonia should be considered a multidimensional disorder. Effective management must look beyond the auditory system to include the psychosocial dimensions of the condition. The study supports existing literature indicating misophonia symptoms often begin in childhood and can become chronic in adulthood, making early recognition and intervention important.

These findings make a strong case for a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. An ideal management plan might involve audiologists for sound sensitivity aspects, psychologists or therapists for emotional regulation and stress reduction techniques, and occupational therapists for developing adaptive coping strategies for environmental stimuli. For example, therapeutic strategies like Cognitive Reappraisal in Misophonia Treatment show promise in addressing the emotional component.

Furthermore, the heightened stress in unsupported individuals underscores the need for greater awareness among healthcare providers. Educating professionals in audiology, psychology, and primary care about misophonia can lead to better identification, validation, and referral for patients. This is especially relevant for Managing Misophonia in Adolescents and Young Adults, a group heavily represented in this study and for whom early support could alter the chronic course of the condition.

Source: Aktan, R.N., Karaağaç, A. & Saygılı, H.N. Misophonia awareness, symptom severity, and perceived stress levels in university students. Egypt J Otolaryngol 40, 98 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-026-01163-8