The phonophobia It is defined as fear, anger or anxiety when hearing certain sounds that, although not loud, trigger very negative emotions. Some researchers believe that it is an extreme case of misophonia, the irritability that appears in some people when they hear certain common noises, such as a person's chewing or throat clearing..
Phonophobia is an irrational fear of certain noises, which are not necessarily loud noises. It is not an auditory disease: people with phonophobia have an anxiety disorder.
For example, if you start to sweat and your heart beats fast when you hear someone chewing gum, or when silverware makes a noise when hitting the plate, then you may have phonophobia.
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Phonophobia was recognized as a disease a short time ago. Many doctors are still unaware of it and therefore cannot properly diagnose it. For this reason, many may tell you that your problem is not "real", that your phobia is simply a suggestion, a trick that your mind plays..
However, phonophobia is a very real problem, and researchers have proven it..
A researcher at the University of California in San Diego conducted a very interesting study on this disease, placing electrodes on the skin of people with phonophobia.
When you feel anxiety, the sweat glands of the skin increase their excretion and the electrical conductivity of the skin increases, thanks to the electrolytes present in sweat.
In this group of people with phonophobia, electrodes were placed on their skin to measure their conductivity and they were made to listen to a series of sounds. The conductivity of their skin increased, because the sounds actually elicited a physiological response in their bodies..
In conclusion, phonophobia does exist, it is not a suggestion, because the body really reacts in a certain way to certain sound stimuli in people who suffer from this disease.
These are some of the most common symptoms when hearing various types of sounds:
If you are irritated by the noise that certain people make when chewing, the clinking of cutlery, the voices of certain people or the noise of a photocopier, then you have misophonia.
If the negative emotions these sounds provoke include extreme anxiety, sweaty hands, rapid heartbeat, and a desire to run away, then it is fungophobia.
Both conditions are characterized by low tolerance to sound, as is hyperacusis, although it should be noted that hyperacusis is a totally different disease.
Here are the differences:
Hyperacusis occurs when you are disturbed or afraid of loud noises, such as fireworks or a balloon exploding for example.
If you have hyperacusis, when you turn on the TV or the home theater you will first lower the volume to the minimum, then you will turn on the device and then you will increase the volume, to avoid sudden noise.
You will probably avoid going to parties where there will be loud music, drums or fireworks.
When there is hyperacusis, it is possible that there is an alteration in the perception of sound: the auditory pathways are more sensitive than those of other people, they overreact to loud noises and that is why they irritate you so much.
On the other hand, if you have misophonia, you are bothered by certain noises that are not really necessarily loud, high-pitched or bass, but can be any sound, such as the noise that occurs when you click your tongue, the murmur of running water, the crackling a campfire, or just about anything else.
In cases of misophonia or phonophobia there is no hypersensitivity in the auditory pathways, there is only an association of negative emotions, which can include extreme anxiety and fear, in the presence of certain sounds.
It is important to note that many people with hyperacusis may develop, secondarily, misophonia or phonophobia, because they also begin to associate loud sounds with negative emotions, due to the hypersensitivity of their auditory pathways..
It is not yet known exactly why the auditory pathways of some people are extremely sensitive to loud sounds or why other people associate negative emotions and feel anxiety when they hear certain sounds, even though they do not have a special sensitivity in their auditory pathways..
In the case of hyperacusis, it is believed that chronic exposure to noisy environments or a traumatic experience associated with loud noises can cause hypersensitivity of the auditory pathways..
In the case of misophonia or phonophobia, the trigger can be a traumatic event that has been associated with a certain sound, for example changing jobs or schools and having to eat lunch in a noisy environment, move and listen to sounds in a new neighborhood , etc.
Phonophobia can also have organic causes. A skull surgery, especially if it is near the ear, migraine, autism or certain genetic diseases can also cause phonophobia.
Many people suffer from hyperacusis, misophonia or phonophobia, and this can have a very negative influence on their lives. Most people try to avoid sounds that annoy, irritate, or cause anxiety..
But think about the following:
If you have phonophobia and are extremely irritated by the sound of clinking silverware, then you will have serious problems going to a restaurant. Some people loathe chewing noise so much (especially from a relative or close friend) that they no longer tolerate sharing a lunch or dinner together.
Thus, low tolerance to sound can affect your family life, your work and your social life. Even if you have a moderate intolerance to certain sounds, you may have problems driving your car in the city center, going to the cinema or the shopping center..
If you are bothered by the noises of the vacuum cleaner, the hair dryer or the lawn mower, your low tolerance to sounds will not leave you alone even at home.
These diseases are similar to each other and it is difficult to make a differential diagnosis.
It is possible to carry out a test by exposing the patient to different sounds, and checking their level of displeasure with each one of them.
Patients with hyperacusis typically show greater discomfort as the decibels increase. But this may not happen in patients with misophonia or phonophobia. Therefore, it is necessary to combine several tools to arrive at an accurate diagnosis..
The performance of an audiogram and a deep questionnaire to the patient, to which a detailed description of their symptoms should be requested, can be combined with the sound tolerance test to determine which of these diseases the patient suffers.
Phonophobia and the other conditions that involve low tolerance to sound are not well known yet and there are doctors who do not know how to handle them. Maybe you already consulted and the doctor answered that there was nothing to do about it, or worse, that you avoid the sounds that bother you or put plugs in your ears.
However, you have to know that avoiding noises that irritate or cause anxiety will not solve your problem. No, then, go around avoiding all kinds of celebrations, parties or demonstrations..
What will you do when you have to go to lunch at a crowded restaurant? You can't avoid family gatherings forever.
On the other hand, putting plugs in your ears will only make the problem worse. If your auditory pathways are very sensitive, they will be more sensitive even if they do not receive sound stimuli because you have covered your ears..
So what is the solution? There are several possible treatments for hyperacusis, misophonia, and phonophobia, and they are as follows:
Exposure therapy will be especially effective if you have hyperacusis. If your ears are sensitive to loud noises, a solution may be to start exposing them to loud sounds little by little, until the hypersensitivity subsides..
At the same time, it would be convenient if you were in an environment rich in sounds all day and perhaps also at night, as this will also help reduce the sensitivity in your auditory pathways..
Cognitive behavioral therapy will be especially effective if you have misophonia. The therapist will try to provide you with tools to help you overcome anxiety and negative emotions when you hear the sounds that irritate you..
On the other hand, it will try to change those negative emotions for positive thoughts, which are associated with the sounds that today are an unpleasant stimulus for your ears..
Relaxation techniques that include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation can also be helpful in controlling the symptoms of any of these disorders that involve a low tolerance to sounds..
These techniques will help you control the anger, frustration and anxiety that sounds provoke in you..
Before starting any treatment, it is best to have a professional consultation.
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