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FOAMS database limitations and the need for standardized valence, arousal, and broader stimulus validation

Trumbull et al., 2024notes that the Free Open-Access Misophonia Stimulus (FOAMS) database has improved the field by offering standardized, accessible stimuli, but also highlights key limitations. FOAMS sounds were validated only by self-reported bother rather than standardized valence or arousal ratings, which restricts comparisons with other emotionally relevant auditory research. In addition, the stimuli were chosen a priori based on researcher and clinical intuition. The author argues that incorporating a broader range of sounds commonly used in emotion research could provide a more informative and comprehensive stimulus set.