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Misophonia Evaluation and Treatment

If everyday sounds like chewing, jingling keys, tapping, or breathing makes you feel angry, anxious, or upset, you might have something called Misophonia. This condition can make it hard to focus or enjoy time with others. But don’t worry—there are treatments that can help you manage your reactions to these sounds and feel better.

Dr. Allison Archer of Austin Hearing Aid Center provides expert misophonia evaluation and treatment in Austin, TX.

What is Misophonia?

Misophonia is when certain sounds make you feel really upset, angry, or anxious. It means “hatred of sound,” but it’s not just about disliking noises. People with Misophonia have strong, negative reactions to everyday sounds that most people wouldn’t even notice.

For example, hearing someone chew, tap their foot, or click a pen can make someone with Misophonia feel very uncomfortable or even angry. These sounds, called “triggers,” can cause people to feel stressed or frustrated.

Misophonia can make it hard to be around other people or enjoy activities where these sounds happen. But with the right help and treatment from an audiologist, people can learn to manage their reactions and feel better.

Why Early Evaluation is Important

If you think you or someone you care about might have Misophonia, it’s a good idea to get help. Dr. Allison Archer of Austin Hearing Aid Center carefully checks your condition and creates a treatment plan just for you.

Getting diagnosed and treated early helps you find out what sounds trigger your reactions and teaches you ways to handle them, making your life better.

How Misophonia Affects Daily Life

If you have misophonia, you might start avoiding being around people or going to public places. This happens because certain sounds make you feel really upset or stressed. Many people with misophonia feel like others don’t understand what they’re going through because those sounds don’t bother everyone.

But with the right treatment, you can learn how to handle these feelings and start enjoying your life again.

Causes and Risk Factors of Misophonia

Some people’s brains react differently to certain sounds, like chewing, tapping, or even breathing. This might be because of how their brain and hearing system work together. Stress or anxiety can make these reactions stronger, but there could also be other reasons that are not fully known yet.

Who is at Risk?

Age: Misophonia often starts in childhood or during the teenage years.
Other Conditions: People with anxiety, OCD, or sensory processing disorders may be more likely to have Misophonia.
Family History: It could be genetic, meaning it runs in families.

If you have Misophonia, you’re not alone. Understanding these possible causes and risk factors can help in finding ways to manage them.

How is Misophonia Diagnosed?

The process of diagnosing misophonia includes:

Questionnaires to understand which sounds trigger your reactions.
Sound tests where you listen to different noises to see how you react.
Talking about your experiences to understand how Misophonia affects your everyday life.

The Role of Audiologists in Misophonia Diagnosis and Management

Audiologists play a big role in diagnosing and treating Misophonia. With specialized tests, they can identify your triggers and develop a treatment plan to help you cope.

Dr. Allison Archer is trained to understand how sound affects the brain, making her an expert in managing sound sensitivities like Misophonia.

Treatment Options for Misophonia

There’s no cure for Misophonia, but several treatments can help reduce the impact of triggers and improve your quality of life. Dr. Allison Archer will work with you to find the right solution for your specific needs.

Sound Therapy

One of the main ways to treat Misophonia is with sound therapy. This treatment uses background sounds to cover up the noises that bother you. Over time, it can help you react less strongly to those sounds.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Another option is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This therapy helps you change how you think about and react to the sounds that trigger you. With CBT, you can learn to handle your emotions better and feel less stressed when you hear certain noises.

Lifestyle Modifications

You can also make small changes in your daily life to help. For example, wearing noise-canceling headphones in loud places or creating a quiet space to work can help lower the effect of Misophonia.

Other Treatment Approaches

Medications: Doctors might give you medicine to help with feelings of anxiety or stress.
Relaxation techniques: Relaxing exercises like deep breathing, mindfulness, or yoga can help you feel calmer when you hear sounds that bother you.
Coping strategies: You can also try coping mechanisms like keeping yourself busy with something else to take your mind off the noise.

Testimonials

What People Say?

He loves helping people hear better and have had the pleasure to serve many people for years.

Bill Rudolph, the founder and clinical audiologist of this business, is the nicest guy you will ever meet--and impressed me as being the most knowledgeable and professional hearing and hearing aid service provider I've come across in Austin. I am a PA to a retired college professor, and I brought him here because we'd had such terrible (and frankly, greedy) service at New Sounds Hearing. When I told Bill how much money my boss has practically flushed down the drain with this other company, and how much they wanted to charge him for a single lost device (almost $4,000.00-for ONE hearing aid), he knocked off a big chunk of his bill, and my boss got a new pair of very high tech hearing aids for less than the cost of a single one at New Sounds.

Mr. John Smith

I was looking for good quality audio batteries for my lapel microphones. I talked with Dr. Rudolph about the LR44 battery. Although they don't carry the LR44, they DO carry a compatible replacement, the 675 which will give me longer recording life than the LR44s I was using! Needless to say I am EXTREMELY SATISFIED with the attention and service I received today over something as small as a box of batteries. Dr. Rudolph is an order of magnitude better than any big box audiologist just wanting to make a sale. I didn't need anything to do with hearing aids, I needed help from someone who knew about hearing. I got that, I learned something, and got great service!

Steven G.

Bill gives personal , top quality service. This is not a high pressure store that will sell you more than you need. First rate products at competitive prices. Thanks

Richard S.

FAQs about Misophonia

What causes Misophonia?

The exact cause of Misophonia is not known yet, but it might happen because of the way the brain reacts to certain sounds. It could also be connected to anxiety or other conditions that affect how people sense things around them.

Can Misophonia be cured?

There is no cure for Misophonia, but treatments like sound therapy and talking to a therapist can help manage your symptoms and make things easier.

How do I know if I have Misophonia or just a sensitivity to noise?

If certain sounds make you feel really angry, stressed, or upset, you might have Misophonia. If noise just bothers you but doesn’t make you feel that way, it might just be a sensitivity.

How can sound therapy help with Misophonia?

Sound therapy plays gentle background sounds that can help cover up the sounds that bother you. Over time, it can help you get used to those sounds so they don’t bother you as much.

Do I need to see an audiologist for Misophonia?

Yes, an audiologist is trained to help with Misophonia. Dr. Allison Archer can check your symptoms and create a treatment plan to help you feel better.

Book Appointment

Get Directions

Our office is conveniently located off Ben White and Menchaca Road. We take our time with each person, therefore, it is necessary to schedule your appointment in advance.

Why Choose Us?

Experience and Expertise

Dr. Allison Archer has experience diagnosing and treating Misophonia. We understand how challenging it can be to live with sound sensitivities and are here to help.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Dr. Allison Archer works closely with each patient to develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to their needs. Whether it’s sound therapy, lifestyle changes, or counseling, she ensures you get the support you need.

Advanced Technology

We use the latest technology to diagnose and treat Misophonia in Austin, TX. With the right tools and knowledge, we can help you manage your condition and improve your daily life.