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Kirby 2025 findings on the use of psychoacoustic tasks in Misophonia

In their 2025 study, Kirby et al. used a lab-based psychoacoustic task to assess misophonia severity in self-identified sufferers and matched controls. They found strong correlations between aversiveness ratings and both MQ total scores (r = .60) and self-rated severity (r = .50), with MQ total and severity scores also highly correlated (r = .72). The misophonia group showed significantly higher aversiveness, MQ, and severity scores than controls. Stimuli were correctly identified 98.5% of the time, and misidentified sounds elicited lower aversiveness ratings. The authors concluded that psychoacoustic aversiveness ratings are valid indicators of misophonia severity and may be useful diagnostic tools when paired with well-identified, ecologically valid stimuli in controlled settings.