The Holiday Season Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.

Lottie anticipates being with her loved ones during the festive period, but notes a key strategy she'll cope is by using her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the holiday meal.

In her case, this time of year is a particularly difficult period as the auditory triggers of people eating, sipping loudly and nose-blowing trigger intense distress.

"There's this feeling of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these sounds."

Lottie has suffered from sound sensitivity for several years and for her that renders the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, particularly those coming from other people.

It's surprisingly common in the UK. Researchers found nearly 20% people suffer from it.

Frequently it's sounds associated with bodily functions that cause distress, as well as things like chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

The sufferer notes: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.

"My relatives are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to ensure others enjoy themselves."

So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can transform into a living nightmare for sufferers.

Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a visceral feeling that can even cause them skipping events entirely.

Jenna, a university student, who has experienced misophonia from childhood, states the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Typically, she would often retreat in a quiet area to escape triggering sounds.

She notes her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "hard".

"People assume you to socialize with loved ones, and I want to, but it's draining.

"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will kick in.

"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."

A Few Techniques to Cope

For those affected then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, according to clinical psychologists.

1. Visualise a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is essential. Attempt to link the specific noise causing distress with something completely different. As an illustration, try to envision someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
2. Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. For example, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound stays the same, your interpretation of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral about it.