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Misophonia often begins during childhood or adolescence, yet much remains unknown about how it affects young people. Although previous studies have described common misophonia symptoms in children and adolescents, less is known about how young people with misophonia process sensory information across different senses, particularly beyond hearing.

Dr. Lotte Rappoldt and colleagues at Amsterdam UMC and collaborating institutions in the Netherlands examined the experiences of children and adolescents seeking care for misophonia, including their common triggers, emotional responses, sensory processing, co-occurring mental health conditions, and quality of life. Researchers found differences in sensory processing that extended beyond hearing, alongside associations between greater misophonia severity and poorer quality of life for children and their families.

The study included 95 children and adolescents with misophonia, ages 8–17, who had been referred to a specialized clinic in the Netherlands. Using questionnaires completed by children and parents, along with clinical interviews, researchers assessed misophonia symptoms, mental health, attention, sensory experiences, and daily functioning. They also compared participants' sensory processing patterns with those of individuals in reference groups from the general population.

Researchers found the following:

• Eating sounds were the most common triggers, and irritation and anger were the most common emotional responses. Nearly all participants (98.9%) reported eating sounds as triggers, followed by nose and mouth sounds (89.4%) and tapping sounds (64.9%). Irritation (96.8%), anger (84.0%), and anxiety in anticipation of triggers (81.9%) were the most frequently reported emotional responses among children and adolescents.
• Sensory processing differences extended beyond hearing. Compared to the non-misophonia groups, adolescents with misophonia showed differences in how they processed auditory, tactile (touch), visual (sight), and taste/smell information. They also reported greater overall sensory sensitivity and avoidance of sensory experiences, alongside less sensation-seeking behavior (actively looking for sensory stimulation). These findings suggest that sensory processing differences in young people with misophonia may not be limited to sounds.
• Co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses were identified in 27% of participants. Approximately 73% had no co-occurring psychiatric diagnosis, while 27.4% had at least one. Anxiety disorders (10.5%) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 8.4%) were among the most common. Researchers also found that emotional difficulties, such as anxiety and depressive symptoms, were more prevalent than outwardly directed behavioral difficulties, such as aggression or rule-breaking.
• Greater misophonia severity was associated with poorer quality of life. Both children and parents reported associations between more severe misophonia symptoms and difficulties involving general health, mental health, and participation in family activities. Parents also reported greater emotional impacts on themselves, including worry and distress, as misophonia severity increased. However, researchers did not find an association between misophonia severity and family cohesion, or how connected family members felt to one another.

Together, these findings highlight the importance of understanding misophonia in young people beyond their reactions to particular sounds. The researchers emphasize that differences in sensory processing across multiple senses, emotional difficulties, and effects on family life may all be important considerations when assessing children and adolescents with misophonia and developing appropriate interventions.

Because the study involved young people seeking care at a specialized clinic, and most participants were girls from families with relatively high socioeconomic status, the findings may not represent all children and adolescents with misophonia, or the impact on all families. The researchers recommend further studies to better understand sensory processing differences and the factors contributing to misophonia in youth.

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Research Paper Title: Clinical Characteristics of Children and Adolescents With Misophonia

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Authors: Lotte R. Rappoldt, Carola de Wit, Marthe M. van der Pol, Simone Slaghekke, Caroline Houben, Kees J. Kan, André B. Rietman, Damiaan Denys, Elisabeth M. W. J. Utens, and Nienke C. C. Vulink

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ABOUT THE RESEARCH TEAM

Nienke Vulink, PhD is a Psychiatrist at Amsterdam UMC, with expertise in obsessive compulsiveand related disorders.