Reading this article has helped me to realise that there is something more going on than just a sensitivity to certain noises. I will be going to see my GP and seeing where I get to. Hopefully, at least I’ll get a diagnosis of hyperacusis at least! Reply

My experience of receiving support from the NHS has been rather hit and miss. Firstly, I approached my GP about misophonia (having done initial research online and buying Misophonia books) and after some persistence I was then referred to my local ENT department. During testing, I found these earplugs to be great for reducing stress throughout the day. I was, as the name suggests, calmer while wearing them. However, they didn't provide enough noise reduction when I wanted to really focus. I also found them to be a bit uncomfortable after a few hours of wear. Ear plugs often are incorporated into a misophonia toolkit. However, ear plugs often make misophonia worse, because the ears must work harder to search for sound. Once the ear plugs are removed, sounds may appear more intense.Misophonia isn’t well understood, and the exact cause isn’t known – though it’s thought to be caused by a combination of different factors, including genetic, neurological and environmental. But a pipe like this doesn't transmit sound perfectly, so the output isn't the same as the input. "It's similar, but the natural resonances of the pipe will amplify sound at some frequencies and attenuate sound at other frequencies," Davies says. The pipe acts as an acoustic filter, which is the basis for wind musical instruments, and the thinking behind earplugs that claim to attenuate different sounds and frequencies. I cannot get away from the constant trigger of a neighbors child running around upstairs constantly! (other times their dog barking for hours or music playing)

Flare Audio's Calmer earplugs don’t look like regular earplugs. They’re small, made of soft silicone and have a big hole in the middle. There are specific instructions about how to fit these – they need to go into your ear canal at a certain angle – but they’re easy to follow, and this is a crucial step considering they work by ever-so-slightly changing the way your ear works. I didn’t have a chance to try the Loop Experience at a concert – they’re sensory overload minefields for me – but I can imagine these would be firm winners for festivals and gigs.Misophonia symptoms include irritation, annoyance, anger, tension, stress, frustration, urge to flee, feelings of physical pain, changes in vital signs (increased respiration rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating), inability to concentrate, increased awareness of sounds, and uneasiness. Even the anticipation of a sound can trigger physical symptoms. Meltzer JB, Herzfeld M. Tinnitus, hyperacusis, and misophonia toolbox. Semin Hear. 2014;35(2). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1372528 It’s often also used as a misophonia treatment. Both misophonia and tinnitus originate in the brain, rather than being a problem with one’s hearing, and so both can benefit from similar treatments.

If you’re looking for ultimate sound reduction, read our best earplugs for sleep guide. This features noise-cancelling earplugs and earplugs that promise (almost) silence.So, how effective are the different pipe designs inside each of the earplugs? I asked Davies to comment on them, as well as Jérémie Voix, a professor at École de Technologie Supérieure in Montreal who leads the NSERC-EERS Industrial Research Chair in In-Ear Technologies (CRITIAS). The earplug comes with great customer service, It is very important and has a comfortable design. Also, the earplug is pleasantly surprised, is made with a sense of peace, it is super small and has a disposable design. Finally, the hearbliss misophonia earplug is incredible, It comes with great earplugs and has a discreet design. With the standard Flare Calmer in situ, I headed out. Since I was about twelve, I’ve always worn earbuds in my ears when I’m out and about walking, even if I'm alone. This has led to a few too many close calls with speeding drivers and even some unsavoury characters – so this was a big deal for me.