A Symphony Of Irritation

In the 2022 film Tár, Cate Blanchett played a conductor who was affected by misophonia—an acute sensitivity to certain sounds. For Lydia Tár, Blanchett’s character, the clicking of a pen or the beat of a metronome was enough to drive her to distraction.

- Richard Glover

Scientists say the condition affects about 18 per cent of the population, but I beg to differ. I think we all suffer from some from of misophonia.

Who doesn’t have a sound or two that sends them over the edge? For example, who can bear the slurping of soup? My understanding is that you are meant to lift the spoon and tip it, gently channelling the liquid into your mouth.

Instead, people hold the spoon a few centimetres from their face, blow on the soup, then inhale sharply, hoping—I guess—to create a low-pressure system that causes the soup to leap through the air.

It’s a very peculiar noise, like the sound of a thief siphoning gas from a car.

Not that solid food is much better. I’m surprised by how many people eat with their mouth open. The visuals involved are not great, but the audio is worse. The mouth, open wide, serves as a sort of trumpet, broadcasting the sound of wet chewing.