News & Events

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

This study used the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to understand how misophonia affects daily life across multiple areas of functioning. The ICF is a framework that categorizes functioning in categories such as emotional and cognitive processing (termed “Body Functions”), academic and social participation (“Activities and Participation”), environmental influences, and personal coping factors. The researchers used this structure to map how adults describe the challenges they experience in everyday life.

METHODS

51 adults (ages 18–30) diagnosed with misophonia completed two open-ended questions describing the problems they experience and how misophonia affects their life. The resulting 294 responses were analyzed using the ICF.

RESULTS

The category most affected by misophonia was Activity Limitations and Participation Restrictions, noted in 44% of the responses. Within this category, the most frequently reported challenge was focusing attention (nearly 20% of responses), followed by difficulties related to higher education, conversation, and socializing.

The second most affected category was Body Functions, noted in 32% of responses. The most commonly reported difficulties involved appropriateness of emotion, range of emotion, and sleep functions, including trouble falling or staying asleep. Nearly all participants reported strong negative emotional reactions such as anger, disgust, or irritation when exposed to trigger sounds.

The study provides data that supports the many ways that misophonia impacts daily functioning—including attention, academic work, emotional regulation, sleep, social interactions, and participation in everyday activities.

Notably, the WHO’s ICF framework used in this study complements the WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD). An application for misophonia to be included in the ICD has been previously submitted. As efforts to establish misophonia within the ICD continue, this kind of impact mapping underscores the growing focus on building a clearer clinical profile for the condition—an important step toward expanding diagnosis, treatment pathways, and access to care.

Research Paper: Exploring the Impact of Misophonia Through the Lens of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework

Authors: Prashanth Prabhu, Sajana Aryal, Aparna Rajan, Kavassery Venkateswaran Nisha

‍

ABOUT THE TEAM

Prashanth Prabhu, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in Audiology at the Al India Institute of Speech and Hearing with expertise in hyperacusis, tinnitus, and misophonia.

‍