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.

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

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.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

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.

✦ Key Points ✦

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

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Individuals with self-reported hyperacusis show different patterns of uncomfortable loudness levels compared to those without sound sensitivity.

studypartially supported

Misophonia symptoms are present at a measurable proportion among individuals with self-reported sound sensitivity or hyperacusis.

studypartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

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

Primary outcomes

Misophonia symptom proportion; Uncomfortable loudness level (ULL) patterns

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