Misophonia: When everyday sounds become unbearable

Most people find some sounds unpleasant, such as a baby crying or a siren, because of features such as their pitch, frequency or loudness. However, for some people, very ordinary sounds, such as chewing, sniffing, breathing, swallowing, finger tapping or clicking a pen, can cause an immediate, intense reaction that is difficult to control, a condition known as misophonia.