Exploring Audiological Findings in Misophonia – A Systematic Review

Abstract

Misophonia is a complex auditory and psychological condition characterized by intense physiological and emotional responses to specific sounds, usually generated by humans, such as chewing or breathing. Despite its increasing clinical recognition, there is currently no standardized audiological protocol for its assessment, and its pathophysiology remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to explore audiological findings in individuals with misophonia and propose a structured assessment protocol based on evidence from recent studies. Eight peer-reviewed articles published between 2022 and 2025 were reviewed, including experimental, cross-sectional, and comparative designs. Study quality reported an overall low risk of bias. The findings support the need for an audiologist-led, standardized assessment framework that integrates objective and subjective measures. This review also highlights the necessity of differential diagnosis to distinguish misophonia from related sound tolerance disorders, such as hyperacusis and tinnitus. It emphasizes the audiologist's essential role in interdisciplinary care. This review highlights a definition and protocol that may be used in diagnosing misophonia. It also shows the necessity to standardize and validate assessment measures for individuals with misophonia.