One of my goals for this year is to get my ambient environmental sounds sorted. It’s been quite revelatory for me to discover how much noise causes persistent baseline stress which saps extra reserves I might need for the “big stuff”. In terms of equipment: I’ve got some conspicuous noise cancelling over-ear Bose headphones which were a surprise guess-what-you’re-probably-neurodivergent solidarity gift from a family member. These are great for total blocking, and provide a certain “don’t bug me with unsolicited small talk” vibe which can be useful when grocery shopping. I’ve also got some Flare “Calmer” earplugs (https://www.flareaudio.com/products/calmer), but to be honest I can’t tell if the effect is real or just placebo. I’d like to identify a good solution in terms of more discreet notch filter / earplug tech for noise nightmares like department away-days and welcome week tea events which always seem to get booked into huge echoey rooms. For the noise sensitive folx on here: what sort of kit have you got that works for you? Has anyone found creative ways to get their equipment funded? Have you managed to get your team to put carpet on walls in all the rooms?

…that misophonia is a thing and that the emerging clinical definition indicates a sharp and involuntary reaction of anger (and not just anxiety etc) in reaction to certain sounds. This definitely explains some things for me!

https://www.entandaudiologynews.com/features/audiology-features/post/decreased-sound-tolerance-in-autism-understanding-and-distinguishing-between-hyperacusis-misophonia-and-phonophobia

One research team made an online test you can take (I love doing tests online!):

https://www.misophonia-hub.org/studies/sussex-misophonia-scale-adults/start