AI Chat Paper
Note: Please note that the following content is generated by AMiner AI. SciOpen does not take any responsibility related to this content.
{{lang === 'zh_CN' ? '文章概述' : 'Summary'}}
{{lang === 'en_US' ? '中' : 'Eng'}}
Chat more with AI
Powered by AMiner. Clicking this button will take you away from SciOpen.
Home Journal of Otology Article
PDF (1.1 MB)
Cite
EndNote(RIS) BibTeX
Collect
Submit Manuscript AI Chat Paper
Show Outline
Outline
Show full outline
Hide outline
Outline
Show full outline
Hide outline
Research paper | Open Access

Psychosocial and Audiological Characteristics in Misophonia: An Interdisciplinary Comparison Study of Adults with Misophonia to Healthy Controls

Mercedes G. Woolley1( ), Hailey E. Johnson1, Emily M. Bowers1, Doris Velasquez2, Julie M. Petersen1, Karen Muñoz2, Michael P. Twohig1
Department of Psychology, Utah State University
Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, Utah State University Financial disclosures/conflicts of interest: This project was funded by a grant from the Misophonia Research Fund and soQuiet Foundation. Authors have no conflicts of interest to declare
Show Author Information

Abstract

Despite the increasing investigation into misophonia, its classification remains debated due to symptom overlap with audiological and psychological conditions, as well as methodological limitations in existing studies. In the present study, we compared a clinical sample of adults seeking treatment for misophonia with a non-treatment-seeking sample of age- and gender-matched healthy controls. In these two samples, we examined the psychological and audiological features of misophonia by assessing key psychological processes (anger, disgust, OCD symptoms, anxiety, depression, stress, well-being, and psychological inflexibility) and audiological features (hearing, hyperacusis, and tinnitus). We found that individuals with misophonia exhibit higher levels of psychological inflexibility and stress compared to healthy controls. Audiological comparisons indicated that hyperacusis is more prevalent in the misophonia group, with significantly more impairment in social and occupational functioning. There were no differences between groups on an objective assessment of hearing, although self-report measures indicated that individuals with misophonia may have greater difficulty with auditory processing. These findings suggest that misophonia is a complex disorder marked by transdiagnostic psychological characteristics and sound sensitivities. Our results underscore the need for interdisciplinary assessment and treatment approaches that incorporate psychosocial and audiological perspectives.

Keywords

MisophoniaAudiologyHyperacusisPsychological InflexibilityTransdiagnostic processes

References

[1]
Aazh, H., Erfanian, M., Danesh, A. A., & Moore, B. C. J. (2022). Audiological and Other Factors Predicting the Presence of Misophonia Symptoms Among a Clinical Population Seeking Help for Tinnitus and/or Hyperacusis. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.900065
Crossref
[2]
Abdala, C., & Visser-Dumont, L. (2001). Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions: A Tool for Hearing Assessment and Scientific Study. The Volta review, 103(4), 281–302.
[3]
Abramowitz, J. S., Deacon, B. J., Olatunji, B. O., Wheaton, M. G., Berman, N. C., Losardo, D., Timpano, K. R., McGrath, P. B., Riemann, B. C., Adams, T., Björgvinsson, T., Storch, E. A., & Hale, L. R. (2010). Assessment of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Dimensions: Development and Evaluation of the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Psychological Assessment, 22(1), 180–198. https://doi.org/10.1037/A0018260
Crossref
[4]
Andermane, N., Bauer, M., Sohoglu, E., Simner, J., & Ward, J. (2023). A phenomenological cartography of misophonia and other forms of sound intolerance. IScience, 26(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.106299
Crossref
[5]
Baguley D. M. (2003). Hyperacusis. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 96(12), 582–585. https://doi.org/10.1177/014107680309601203
Crossref
[6]
Barahmand, U., Mantzikos, M. S., Xiang, Y., Shamsina, N. & Rotlevi, E. (2023) Disgust and Anxiety Sensitivity as Vulnerability Factors in Misophonia. Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 13 (3), 166-178. doi:10.5455/PBS.20230130095513
Crossref
[7]
Barahmand, U., Peters, L., Stalias-Mantzikos, M., Shamsina, N., & Aguero, K. (2023). Linking disgust and misophonia: the role of mental contamination. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 25(4), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.12740/APP/169692
Crossref
[8]
Benjamini, Y., & Hochberg, Y. (1995). Controlling the false discovery rate: A practical and powerful approach to multiple testing. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series B: Statistical Methodology, 57(1), 289–300. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2517-6161.1995.tb02031.x
Crossref
[9]
Bennett D. A. (2001). How can I deal with missing data in my study?. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 25(5), 464–469. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2001.tb00294.x
Crossref
[10]
Blomberg, R., Danielsson, H., Rudner, M., Söderlund, G. B. W., & Rönnberg, J. (2019). Speech Processing Difficulties in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 1536. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01536
Crossref
[11]
Bond, F. W., Hayes, S. C., Baer, R. A., Carpenter, K. M., Guenole, N., Orcutt, H. K., Waltz, T., & Zettle, R. D. (2011). Preliminary Psychometric Properties of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II: A Revised Measure of Psychological Inflexibility and Experiential Avoidance. Behavior Therapy, 42(4), 676–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BETH.2011.03.007
Crossref
[12]
Brout, J. J., Edelstein, M., Erfanian, M., Mannino, M., Miller, L. J., Rouw, R., Kumar, S., & Rosenthal, M. Z. (2018). Investigating Misophonia: A Review of the Empirical Literature, Clinical Implications, and a Research Agenda. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12, 36. bud with and without Explosive Outbursts. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 18(5), 509–515. https://doi.org/10.1089/CAP.2007.061
Crossref
[13]
Budman, C., Coffey, B. J., Shechter, R., Schrock, M., Wieland, N., Spirgel, A., & Simon, E. (2008). Aripiprazole in children and adolescents with Tourette disorder with and without explosive outbursts. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology, 18(5), 509–515. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2007.061
Crossref
[14]
Çolak, B., Duman, B., Herdi, O., İlhan, R. S., & Sakarya, D. (2021). Misophonic symptoms in non-psychotic psychiatric outpatients and its association with trait psychological variables. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2021.100644
Crossref
[15]
Cowan, E. N., Marks, D. R., & Pinto, A. (2022). Misophonia: A psychological model and proposed treatment. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2021.100691
Crossref
[16]
Culicetto, L., Ferraioli, F., Lucifora, C., Falzone, A., Martino, G., Craparo, G., Avenanti, A., & Vicario, C. M. (2023). Disgust as a transdiagnostic index of mental illness: A narrative review of clinical populations. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 87(Supplement A), 53–91. https://doi.org/10.1521/bumc.2023.87.suppA.53
Crossref
[17]
Cusack, S. E., Cash, T. v., & Vrana, S. R. (2018). An examination of the relationship between misophonia, anxiety sensitivity, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 18, 67–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2018.06.004
Crossref
[18]
Dibb, B., & Golding, S. E. (2022). A longitudinal investigation of quality of life and negative emotions in misophonia. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.900474
Crossref
[19]
Duke CMER Misophonia Webinar Series. Retrieved June 16, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLM73FiWFkY.
[20]
Enzler, F., Loriot, C., Fournier, P., & Noreña, A. J. (2021). A psychoacoustic test for misophonia assessment. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-90355-8
Crossref
[21]
Ferenczy, M., Pottas, L., & Soer, M. (2022). Speech perception in noise in children with learning difficulties: A scoping review. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology, 156, 111101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111101
Crossref
[22]
Flanagan, S., Zorilă, T. C., Stylianou, Y., & Moore, B. C. J. (2018). Speech Processing to Improve the Perception of Speech in Background Noise for Children With Auditory Processing Disorder and Typically Developing Peers. Trends in Hearing, 22, 2331216518756533. https://doi.org/10.1177/2331216518756533
Crossref
[23]
Greenberg, B., & Carlos, M. (2018). Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of a New Scale to Measure Hyperacusis: Introducing the Inventory of Hyperacusis Symptoms. Ear and hearing, 39(5), 1021034. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000000583
Crossref
[24]
Guetta, R. E., Cassiello-Robbins, C., Anand, D., & Rosenthal, M. Z. (2022). Development and psychometric exploration of a semi-structured clinical interview for Misophonia. Personality and Individual Differences, 187, 111416. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/huxm3
Crossref
[25]
Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. G., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152–1168. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.64.6.1152
Crossref
[26]
Guzick, A. G., Cervin, M., Smith, E. E. A., Clinger, J., Draper, I., Goodman, W. K., Lijffijt, M., Murphy, N., Lewin, A. B., Schneider, S. C., & Storch, E. A. (2023). Clinical characteristics, impairment, and psychiatric morbidity in 102 youth with misophonia. Journal of Affective Disorders, 324, 395–402.
Crossref
[27]
Henry, J. D., & Crawford, J. R. (2005). The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21): Construct validity and normative data in a large non-clinical sample. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 44(2), 227–239. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466505X29657
Crossref
[28]
Henry, J. A., Theodoroff, S. M., Edmonds, C., Martinez, I., Myers, P. J., Zaugg, T. L., & Goodworth, M. C. (2022). Sound tolerance conditions (hyperacusis, misophonia, noise sensitivity, and phonophobia): Definitions and clinical management. American journal of audiology, 31(3), 513-527. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_AJA-22-00035
Crossref
[29]
Henry, J. A., Griest, S., Zaugg, T. L., Thielman, E., Kaelin, C., Galvez, G., & Carlson, K. F. (2015). Tinnitus and hearing survey: a screening tool to differentiate bothersome tinnitus from hearing difficulties. American journal of audiology, 24(1), 66–77. https://doi.org/10.1044/2014_AJA-14-0042.
Crossref
[30]
Jager, I., de Koning, P., Bost, T., Denys, D., & Vulink, N. (2020). Misophonia: Phenomenology, comorbidity and demographics in a large sample. PloS one, 15(4), e0231390. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231390
Crossref
[31]
Jastreboff, M. M., and Jastreboff, P. J. (2001). Components of decreased sound tolerance: hyperacusis, misophonia, phonophobia. ITHS News Letter. 2(5-7), 1-5.
[32]
Keyes, C. L. M. (2005). Mental illness and/or mental health? Investigating axioms of the complete state model of health. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(3), 539–548. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.73.3.539
Crossref
[33]
Lamers, S. M. A., Westerhof, G. J., Bohlmeijer, E. T., Ten Klooster, P. M., & Keyes, C. L. M. (2011). Evaluating the psychometric properties of the mental health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(1), 99–110. https://doi.org/10.1002/JCLP.20741
Crossref
[34]
Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: Comparison of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) with the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(94)00075-U
Crossref
[35]
McKay, D., Kim, S. K., Mancusi, L., Storch, E. A., & Spankovich, C. (2018). Profile Analysis of Psychological Symptoms Associated With Misophonia: A Community Sample. Behavior therapy, 49(2), 286–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2017.07.002
Crossref
[36]
Moore, B. C. J., & Glasberg, B. R. (2004). A revised model of loudness perception applied to cochlear hearing loss. Hearing Research, 188(1–2), 70–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-5955(03)00347-2
Crossref
[37]
Muñoz, K., Woolley, M. G., Velasquez, D., Ortiz, D., San Miguel, G. G., Petersen, J. M., & Twohig, M. P. (2024). Audiological characteristics of a sample of adults with Misophonia. American Journal of Audiology, 33(4), 1202–1211. https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_aja-24-00111.
Crossref
[38]
Olatunji, B. O., Williams, N. L., Tolin, D. F., Abramowitz, J. S., Sawchuk, C. N., Lohr, J. M., & Elwood, L. S. (2007). The Disgust Scale: Item Analysis, Factor Structure, and Suggestions for Refinement. Psychological Assessment, 19(3), 281–297. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.19.3.281
Crossref
[39]
Ong, C. W., Pierce, B. G., Petersen, J. M., Barney, J. L., Fruge, J. E., Levin, M. E., & Twohig, M. P. (2020). A psychometric comparison of psychological inflexibility measures: Discriminant validity and item performance. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 34–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCBS.2020.08.007
Crossref
[40]
Owen J. M. (2011). Transdiagnostic cognitive processes in high trait anger. Clinical psychology review, 31(2), 193–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.10.003
Crossref
[41]
Rinaldi, L. J., Smees, R., Ward, J., & Simner, J. (2022). Poorer Well-Being in Children With Misophonia: Evidence From the Sussex Misophonia Scale for Adolescents. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.808379
Crossref
[42]
Rouw, R., & Erfanian, M. (2018). A Large-Scale Study of Misophonia. Journal of clinical psychology, 74(3), 453–479. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22500
Crossref
[43]
Schadegg, M. J., Clark, H. L., & Dixon, L. J. (2021). Evaluating anxiety sensitivity as a moderator of misophonia and dimensions of aggression. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2021.100657
Crossref
[44]
R Core Team (2024). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. https://www.R-project.org/.
[45]
Schröder, A., Vulink, N., & Denys, D. (2013). Misophonia: Diagnostic Criteria for a New Psychiatric Disorder. PLoS ONE, 8(1), e54706. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0054706
Crossref
[46]
Siepsiak, M., Rosenthal, M. Z., Raj-Koziak, D., & Dragan, W. (2022). Psychiatric and audiologic features of misophonia: Use of a clinical control group with auditory over-responsivity. Journal of psychosomatic research, 156, 110777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.110777
Crossref
[47]
Swedo, S. E., Baguley, D. M., Denys, D., Dixon, L. J., Erfanian, M., Fioretti, A., Jastreboff, P. J., Kumar, S., Rosenthal, M. Z., Rouw, R., Schiller, D., Simner, J., Storch, E. A., Taylor, S., Werff, K. R. V., Altimus, C. M., & Raver, S. M. (2022). Consensus Definition of Misophonia: A Delphi Study. Frontiers in neuroscience, 16, 841816. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.841816
Crossref
[48]
Van Overveld, W. J. M., De Jong, P. J., Peters, M. L., Cavanagh, K., & Davey, G. C. (2006). Disgust propensity and disgust sensitivity: Separate constructs that are differentially related to specific fears. Personality and Individual Differences, 41(7), 1241-1252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2006.04.021
Crossref
[49]
Williams, Z. J., Cascio, C. J., & Woynaroski, T. G. (2022). Psychometric validation of a brief self-report measure of misophonia symptoms and functional impairment: The duke-vanderbilt misophonia screening questionnaire. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 897901. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897901
Crossref
[50]
Wang, Q., Vitoratou, S., Uglik-Marucha, N., & Gregory, J. (2022). Emotion processes predicting outbursts and functional impact in Misophonia. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 903142. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.903142.
Crossref
[51]
Wu, M. S., Lewin, A. B., Murphy, T. K., & Storch, E. A. (2014). Misophonia: Incidence, Phenomenology, and Clinical Correlates in an Undergraduate Student Sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(10), 994–1007. https://doi.org/10.1002/JCLP.22098
Crossref
[52]
Zhou, X., Wu, M. S., & Storch, E. A. (2017). Misophonia symptoms among Chinese university students: Incidence, associated impairment, and clinical correlates. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 14, 7–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2017.05.001
Crossref
Journal of Otology
Volume 20 Issue 2,
April 2025
Pages 82-92
DOI: 10.26599/JOTO.2025.9540013
Cite this article:
Woolley MG, Johnson HE, Bowers EM, et al. Psychosocial and Audiological Characteristics in Misophonia: An Interdisciplinary Comparison Study of Adults with Misophonia to Healthy Controls. Journal of Otology, 2025, 20(2): 82-92. https://doi.org/10.26599/JOTO.2025.9540013

323

Views

75

Downloads

0

Crossref

0

Web of Science

0

Scopus

0

CSCD

Altmetrics
Received: 13 August 2024
Revised: 20 February 2025
Accepted: 10 March 2025
Published: 30 April 2025
© 2025 PLA General Hospital Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Publishing services by Tsinghua University Press.

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Return