The Holiday Season Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.

One young woman anticipates seeing her loved ones over the holidays, but admits a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her hearing protection - especially during Christmas dinner.

For the 23-year-old, the holidays often feels like a especially challenging time as the noises of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing trigger extremely uncomfortable.

"I experience this wave of sudden panic, my every muscle will just freeze and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these sounds."

The individual has suffered from sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that causes the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, particularly those made by individuals.

The condition is widespread in the UK. Researchers discovered nearly 20% people are affected by it.

Typically it's noises linked to bodily functions that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.

"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee others enjoy themselves."

So it's clear why the most wonderful period can transform into a living nightmare for those with the condition.

Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.

Jenna, a young adult, who has experienced misophonia for over a decade, states her strategy is to listen to music to get through dinner. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to escape triggering sounds.

She explains her misophonia is worse around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult".

"There's an expectation to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

"The sensation is this uncontrollable anger comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will take over.

"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."

A Few Techniques to Manage

If it's an issue then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, based on advice from experts.

1. Picture a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is crucial. Try to associate the particular sound causing distress with something completely different. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you is neutral.
2. Make it a Game: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt joining in. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
3. Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. For example if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or could be emotional. By doing this is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.