Agreed breaks
Discuss whether short breaks would be useful, where someone could step away and how they could rejoin when ready.
Independent information · Republic of Ireland
Understanding
misophonia.
Finding support
in Ireland.
For people with misophonia, some everyday sounds can trigger intense emotional and physical reactions. This can affect home life, relationships, work and study. This independent guide brings together information about misophonia, ways to support someone and places to explore help in Ireland.
An independent information resource. Not a healthcare service.
Understanding misophonia
What is misophonia?
More than ordinary annoyance
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular sounds, or things associated with those sounds. These “triggers” can bring intense anger, disgust or anxiety, alongside physical reactions such as a racing heart or muscle tension. A person may feel a strong urge to get away. The pattern or meaning of a sound can matter more than its volume. [1]
The sounds involved, the strength of the reaction and the effect on daily life vary from person to person. Misophonia goes beyond ordinary annoyance. [1]
Examples of common triggers
Examples include chewing, breathing, sniffing, tapping or clicking. A sound that triggers one person may not trigger another. There are no audio examples on this page. [1]
Similar words, different experiences
Hyperacusis is when everyday sounds seem unusually loud and may be painful. Tinnitus is hearing a sound, such as ringing, without an outside source. These are different experiences, although a person can have more than one. [1] [4] [5]
These short descriptions are not a way to diagnose yourself. A qualified healthcare professional can help assess symptoms and how they affect you.
Everyday life
Misophonia in everyday life.
Misophonia can make shared meals, travel and time with other people difficult. It may interrupt concentration at work or in education, or lead someone to avoid activities they would otherwise enjoy. The impact varies. [1] [2]
Seating choices
Explore whether a different seat at a meal, meeting or on a journey would make things more manageable for everyone.
Communication plans
Agree how to explain needs at work or in education, what adjustments to discuss and who to involve, if anyone.
These are options to discuss and adapt together, not treatments. Any arrangement should respect everyone’s needs and can be revisited if it is not working.
Supporting someone
You don’t have to feel it
to take it seriously.
A thoughtful conversation can help partners, families, colleagues and educators work out what support could look like.
These are everyday communication suggestions. For background on how misophonia can affect people, see Oxford Health’s explanation [2].
Ways to approach a conversation
- Listen and take their distress seriously.
- Discuss adjustments when everyone feels calm.
- Agree a discreet signal for needing a break.
- Never deliberately make trigger sounds to test a reaction.
- Work towards arrangements that respect everyone’s needs.
Example wording · copy or adapt
“I want to understand what this is like for you. Is there a small change we could try that works for both of us? We could agree a discreet signal if you need a break, then talk afterwards about how it went.”
An illustrative example, not a real person’s story.
Start a conversation in your own setting
These examples are written for someone explaining their own needs. Copy or adapt any wording that feels useful. They are illustrative examples, not real people’s stories or treatment advice.
With a partner
Some sounds bring on a strong reaction for me, even when I know you are not doing anything wrong. Could we talk when we are both calm about a small adjustment that works for us both?
With family or friends
I would like to spend time together, but some sounds can be difficult for me. If I need a short break, it is not a rejection of you. Could we agree a discreet signal and a way for me to rejoin?
At work
Certain sounds can make it difficult for me to concentrate. Could we discuss whether a different seat or agreed short breaks would be workable? I would prefer to keep the conversation focused on practical adjustments.
In education
Some sounds can make it difficult for me to focus in class or while studying. Could we talk about possible seating choices or a discreet way to ask for a break? Who would be the best person to discuss this with?
Support in Ireland
Finding support
in Ireland.
The resources below cover the Republic of Ireland. A GP can be a starting point for discussing symptoms, their impact and possible referrals. The right route will depend on individual needs, local services and eligibility; specialist misophonia care may not be available.
Hearing services
HSE audiology
The HSE audiology service provides help with hearing loss. Its published eligibility includes all children, adults with a medical card, and students until they leave third-level education. A medical referral is required; adults can be referred by a GP or an ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultant.
The HSE page does not describe a specialist misophonia service. Being eligible for audiology does not mean misophonia treatment will be offered.
Read HSE eligibility & referral informationPsychologists
PSI directory
The Psychological Society of Ireland’s directory lists Chartered Psychologists who choose to be publicly listed. Their fields and services vary; not all offer clinical care.
Ask about relevant training, experience and whether they work with misophonia.
Find a Chartered PsychologistCounselling & psychotherapy
IACP directory
The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy provides a directory of accredited therapists, with location and other search options.
Individual therapists offer different approaches. Their listing alone does not show that they have experience of misophonia.
Find an accredited therapistDirectory membership does not establish misophonia expertise. These resources are places to investigate, not endorsements or guarantees of access. Service information can change. [6] [7] [8]
Questions you could ask a provider
- What experience do you have supporting people with misophonia?
- What does assessment involve?
- What approach do you use, and what evidence supports it?
- What are the fees and referral requirements?
- Do you work with my age group?
Treatment & research
Misophonia treatment
and research.
Research into misophonia treatment is still developing. In one randomised trial, adults receiving a particular group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme had greater symptom improvement than adults on a waiting list. This is evidence of benefit for some people; it does not establish that every form of CBT will help everyone. [3]
A small trial in young people compared a CBT-based programme with information about the condition and relaxation training. The CBT-based group improved more on some, but not all, measures. Larger studies and longer follow-up are needed, and findings in young people cannot automatically be applied to adults. [9]
Reduced distress and better day-to-day functioning are different from a guaranteed cure. These findings do not establish one approach that works for everyone. [3] [9]
This is a summary of selected research, not a treatment recommendation. A qualified healthcare professional can discuss how the evidence relates to an individual’s needs.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
about misophonia.
Is misophonia simply finding sounds annoying?
No. It can involve intense emotional and bodily reactions, with distress and disruption to daily life that go beyond ordinary annoyance. [1]
Can quiet sounds trigger it?
Yes. The particular sound or its meaning can matter more than loudness, so a quiet sound can still be distressing. [1]
Can it affect relationships?
Yes. Shared spaces and activities can become difficult, and people may feel misunderstood. [2]
How is it different from hyperacusis or tinnitus?
Misophonia involves strong reactions to particular triggers. With hyperacusis, everyday sounds seem unusually loud and may be painful. Tinnitus means hearing sounds without an outside source. A person can experience more than one; these descriptions cannot establish a diagnosis. [1] [4] [5]
Where can I start looking for help in Ireland?
A GP is one possible starting point for discussing symptoms, their impact and referral options. The Irish support resources above can help you investigate options. Check eligibility and ask directly about misophonia experience. [6] [7] [8]
Sources & project information
Sources and project information.
Information last checked: . This page draws on the sources below and has not been medically reviewed.
- Swedo et al. (2022). Consensus Definition of Misophonia: A Delphi Study. Definition, triggers and variation. Publisher full text.
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust: Misophonia. Clinical explanation and everyday impact. UK information, not an Irish service pathway.
- Jager et al. (2021). Cognitive behavioral therapy for misophonia: A randomized clinical trial. Adult group-CBT trial. PubMed abstract.
- NHS: Noise sensitivity (hyperacusis). Differences in sound tolerance.
- NHS: Tinnitus. Explanation of tinnitus.
- HSE: Using the HSE audiology service. Published eligibility and referral information.
- PSI: Chartered Psychologist Online Directory. Directory scope.
- IACP: Find an accredited therapist. Therapist directory.
- Lewin et al. (2026; online 2025). Treatment of Youth Misophonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Publisher version. Youth evidence, checked through the PubMed abstract.
About this project
“Understanding Misophonia Ireland” is the working name of an independent information project focused on the Republic of Ireland. Its purpose is to help people in Ireland understand misophonia and talk about it with greater confidence and respect. It brings together published information and links to existing support.
This may be a starting point for a future association or community initiative. No association has been established through this project, and it is not a registered charity or healthcare service. It is independent of the HSE and the organisations linked here.
Health information is attributed to published sources. Research summaries explain findings and limitations; practical examples are suggestions for discussion, not clinical advice. Inclusion of a source or service does not imply endorsement or a partnership.
This website provides general information and does not replace individual assessment or advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
This page does not ask for personal or health information and uses no advertising trackers. The conversation copy button works on your device without sending the text to a server. Other websites have their own privacy practices.