A comparison of misophonia proportion and patterns of uncomfortable loudness levels between individuals with and without hyperacusis reporting sensitivity to environmental sounds

To compare audiological characteristics and misophonia symptoms proportion in young adults with normal hearing and self-reported sound sensitivity (without tinnitus), classified as having hyperacusis status.

Clinicians evaluating patients with sound sensitivity should screen for both misophonia and hyperacusis separately, as this study suggests they may co-occur but have distinct audiological profiles — though findings should be confirmed in larger clinical samples.

Better characterising the overlap between misophonia and hyperacusis can guide more targeted assessment and management protocols for the growing number of patients presenting with sound sensitivity.

1. 01Study compared audiological profiles and misophonia rates in young adults with and without self-reported hyperacusis.
2. 02Both uncomfortable loudness levels (ULLs) and misophonia questionnaires were used as outcome measures.
3. 03Hyperacusis and misophonia are related but distinct conditions that may co-occur.
4. 04Participants had normal hearing thresholds, isolating sensitivity rather than threshold differences.
5. 05Findings may inform differential diagnosis and triage in audiology clinics.

PMID

42057697

DOI

10.1080/14992027.2026.2642751.

Journal

International Journal of Audiology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

3

Population

Young adults with normal hearing, with and without self-reported sound sensitivity or hyperacusis

Intervention

Assessment of misophonia symptoms and uncomfortable loudness levels

Comparator

Individuals without hyperacusis or sound sensitivity