Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.

Lottie anticipates being with her family during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll endure is by relying on her hearing protection - notably for the main festive feast.

In her case, this time of year can be a particularly difficult period as the sounds of people eating, slurping and nose-blowing make her feel extremely uncomfortable.

"I experience this feeling of immediate anxiety, my entire being will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these sounds."

The individual has lived with sound sensitivity for several years and for her that renders the Christmas time "deeply taxing".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, especially noises made by other people.

It is prevalent across the population. A study reported nearly 20% people suffer from it.

Frequently it's sounds connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

She explains: "I face so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you dread it.

"My family are aware, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure everyone else is happy."

So it's easy to understand why the supposedly joyous season can quickly turn into a source of agony for affected individuals.

Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a strong emotional response that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.

She, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity for over a decade, explains her strategy is to put her earphones in to cope. On any other day, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to minimize distressing triggers.

She explains her sensitivity is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "challenging".

"There is pressure to spend time with family, and I desire to, but it's draining.

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

"It may seem as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."

Three Ways to Handle It

If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, according to experts.

1. Visualise a Different Scenario: Imagination is essential. Work on connecting the triggering sound bothering you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to envision someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a competition involving the source. For instance, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you a little less affected.
3. Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person creating the sound is doing it. For example if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or maybe they're upset. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.