Sound sensitivity
If sounds either soothe or irritate you, start with steady, soft sounds at a low volume and add one new sound at a time. Skip mouth sounds and sharp tapping until you know how you react. If sounds cause strong distress or get in the way of daily life, see a doctor or an audiologist.
Start low and steady
- Choose rain, room tone or slow brushing before whispering.
- Keep the volume low, and raise it only a little.
- Add one new sound at a time.
- Stop the video if you feel tense, and rest.
Why the same sound can feel different
Two people can hear the same soft sound and react in opposite ways. One feels calm.
The other feels irritated. Researchers describe this and are still working out why, so we cannot give you a simple rule.
Sounds that often split opinion
Mouth sounds, sharp taps and close whispers divide listeners. If one bothers you, skip it without guilt. Try wood tapping, page turning, fabric or nature sounds, and note which feel comfortable.
Build your own list
Keep a short list of sounds you like and sounds you dislike. Check it before choosing a video. Over time you can see patterns, and you will not waste evenings on videos that do not suit you.
What the research says
No study that we found has tested ASMR as a way to treat sound sensitivity. A PubMed search in October 2026 for the full phrase autonomous sensory meridian response together with hyperacusis, sound sensitivity or sensory sensitivity words returned 4 records, out of 103 that mention the phrase in the title or abstract.
In a 2018 study, Janik McErlean and Banissy gave a misophonia questionnaire to people who report ASMR and to matched controls. The ASMR group scored higher on all subscales, so the authors concluded that people reporting ASMR have elevated levels of misophonia.
A 2022 study by Janik McErlean and colleagues found that ASMR experiencers had higher pain sensitivity than controls, with no difference in pain tolerance.
A 2024 online study by Mednicoff and colleagues found that reactions to misophonia videos were predicted by reactions to ASMR and musical chills videos, which the authors say could reflect a general tendency toward stronger emotional reactions.
A 2020 paper by McGeoch and Rouw proposes an idea, not a finding, that crossed wiring between hearing and touch related brain areas might help explain both ASMR and misophonia.
ASMR is not a treatment; talk to a doctor if symptoms persist.
When to get help
If everyday sounds cause strong distress, anger, panic or avoidance, see a doctor or audiologist. Our page on misophonia and ASMR covers the overlap in more detail.
Quick decision list
- Calm with soft sounds: continue at low volume.
- Irritated by mouth sounds: skip them.
- Unsure: add one sound at a time.
- Distress in daily life: see a professional.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some people feel ASMR and others feel nothing?
Researchers do not have a full answer. Reports differ between people, and some people feel only relaxed. You can try a few sound types and see.
Is ASMR the same as misophonia?
No. ASMR is usually described as pleasant and misophonia as a strong negative reaction. One study found misophonia scores were higher in people who report ASMR, so they can overlap.
Why do some ASMR sounds irritate me?
Mouth sounds and sharp taps bother many people. You do not have to push through them. Choose steady, soft sounds and see a professional if reactions are strong.
Can ASMR treat sound sensitivity?
We found no study showing that. ASMR is not a treatment. See a doctor or audiologist for care.
Quick tips
- Add only one new sound at a time and note your reaction, so you can tell which sound causes the problem.
- Keep the volume low enough that soft sounds stay soft, because loud quiet sounds often feel worse for sensitive listeners.
- Skip mouth sounds and sharp tapping until you know your reaction, and close any video that makes you tense.
- See a doctor or audiologist if everyday sounds cause strong distress or make you avoid places and people.