The University of Sussex is running what it says is the first ever randomised control trial into a neurological condition which affects millions of people.<\/p>\n
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, particularly those made by other people.<\/p>\n
Often sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, as well as things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.<\/p>\n
Alex Ayling, from Sompting in West Sussex, who has had the condition since childhood, says: “Some noises make me so angry.”<\/p>\n
The HGV driver said people crunching on an apple, eating crisps or sniffing “drive me absolutely mad”.<\/p>\n
“If somebody has a water bottle and they crunch it, that noise goes right through me.<\/p>\n
“All the noises relating to my HGV are fine. But with my colleagues, when we have break time, I have to put ear plugs in as I can’t listen to them eat,” she said.<\/p>\n
In 2023, researchers from King’s College London and University of Oxford found almost one in five people have misophonia.<\/p>\n
Dr Louisa Rinaldi, a research fellow at the University of Sussex, who is leading the latest control trial told BBC Radio Sussex<\/a>: “Sufferers often have a fight or flight reaction to sounds and often just need to get away from them.<\/p>\n “They often feel isolated and the condition is not widely understood.<\/p>\n “So this new trial could be vital for improving treatments, as well as increasing awareness and potentially understanding the causes of the condition.”<\/p>\n Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a>, and on Instagram<\/a>, and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk<\/a> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n More on this storyRelated internet links