Ever clocked someone wince, get up, or put headphones on the second the radio goes on in the workplace? It’s not fussiness. It might be misophonia and it deserves a proper conversation, not an eye-roll.
This week, we’re unpacking what misophonia actually is, why it shows up so often alongside neurodivergence, and what it means for how we share space at work.
What is misophonia, really?
Misophonia means “hatred of sound.” But that’s a bit misleading it’s not about disliking noise in general. It’s a strong, involuntary reaction (think: rage, panic, disgust, or the urge to flee) triggered by specific sounds. Often:
- Chewing, slurping, or lip-smacking
- Pen clicking or tapping
- Sniffing or throat-clearing
- Keyboard clatter
- Background radio or TV chatter
For someone with misophonia, these sounds aren’t just annoying. They can trigger a genuine fight-or-flight response a nervous system reaction, not a personality quirk.
Why it matters for neurodivergent teams
Misophonia isn’t officially classed as a neurodivergent condition itself, but research increasingly points to significant overlap with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences. Many neurodivergent people already experience the world through a more finely-tuned (and sometimes overwhelmed) sensory system. Add misophonia into the mix, and a normal office soundscape can become genuinely exhausting to sit through.
For neurotypical colleagues, that same soundscape might be completely unremarkable which is exactly where the friction starts.
“It’s just a radio” and other things not to say
When someone asks for the radio off, or requests a quieter desk, it can look like an overreaction to someone who isn’t experiencing it. But misophonia responses aren’t a choice, and they’re not about being difficult. They’re a nervous system doing exactly what it’s wired to do.
A few reframes worth sitting with:
- It’s not personal. The trigger is the sound, not the person making it.
- It’s not about control. Nobody chooses to feel their heart rate spike over a pen click.
- Masking it is exhausting. Many people white-knuckle through it daily rather than “make a fuss” which quietly drains energy that should be going into their actual work.
Small shifts, big difference
You don’t need a formal policy overhaul to make things easier. Some low-effort, high-impact ideas:
- Default background music/radio to off, with headphones as the personal choice
- Offer noise-cancelling headphones as standard kit, not a special request
- Create a couple of quiet zones or bookable quiet desks
- Ask before assuming “does the radio bother you?” costs nothing
- Normalise headphone use in open-plan spaces, without reading it as anti-social
The takeaway
The colleague who asks for the radio off isn’t being precious. They may be managing a very real, very taxing sensory response and navigating it quietly, day after day, so it doesn’t become “a whole thing.”
A little curiosity goes a long way. Next time it comes up, try asking rather than assuming.
Take care of yourselves (and each other’s ears), Christina š
Want to talk about sensory needs in your workplace? Reply to this email ā I’d love to hear from you.
