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Comment by windock | Hacker News Reader

I have misophonia too, related to chewing sounds. It actually developed in offices. I don’t really go to offices anymore. But the thing that definitely helped was listening to violent noises: wind storm in the forest, sound of jet engine, etc. Naturespace app for phones have some really high quality recordings. Well, that and psychotherapy. My mental health directly allows me to spend mental resources resisting all these emotions.

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My son (11yo) has had this as well for the last 2.5 years. Seeing an Audiologist for treatment.

Can you elaborate a little on "listening to violent noises" approach? When do you do this, for how long? Is it graduated in intensity, like exposure therapy?

Thanks!

It is just listening to noises that would distort other unpleasant sounds in a way that they stop being distinguishable/audible. Not a therapy, just masking them temporarily. I know when the risk of disturbing noises is high, and turn on the noise beforehand, or right after it starts. Like, there is a kindergarten near my house, it is noisy, but predictable. So every day I close the window and turn on headphones during the time children are outside.

The therapy, unrelated to this coping approach, was focused on figuring out why I got sensitive to some noises in the first place during childhood. Very individual, but to give an example, appearance of stepfather in my life, whose eating habits were conflicting with the way I was raised before.

Thanks for taking the time to add these details. Will add to the arsenal of tools. Best of luck!

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