Misophonia: when certain noises become unbearable

A chewing sound, breathing, a ticking clock: for most, these are just sounds. For someone living with misophonia, they trigger an intense reaction — irritation, tension, anger. And in the evening, these sounds quickly become unbearable.

What is misophonia?

It's a strong emotional reaction to specific sounds, often repetitive and human. It's neither a whim nor a lack of willpower: the brain associates these sounds with an alert. If misophonia weighs on your daily life, a health professional can support you — this article only informs.

Why it's worse at night

In the quiet, the slightest trigger sound stands out. Sharing a bed can become a challenge: a partner's breathing or movements are enough to prevent falling asleep. The lack of sleep then reduces tolerance — another circle to loosen.

Reducing exposure, especially in the evening

You don't "cure" misophonia by plugging your ears, but reducing exposure to trigger sounds at bedtime genuinely soothes. A neutral background sound and softening fine noises (breathing, ticking) can be enough to find sleep again.

How earplugs help

Muting the evening's trigger sounds, without cutting yourself off entirely, helps a lot. A comfortable soft silicone like Core softens these fine noises and lets you fall asleep more calmly.

Also read: sleeping next to a snoring partner and hyperacusis and sleep.