Why does the sound of chewing rile us up so much – and what can we do about it?

Does this fill you with rage? (Picture: Getty Images)

Perhaps you’re a pretty calm and rational person. Maybe it takes a lot for you to get irritated – or even angry.

But there’s one thing that really will push you over the edge and into full-on Hulk mode: the sound of loud chewing.

If this is ringing any bells, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, you’re probably in the 20% of people who experience misophonia – an extreme negative reaction to certain everyday sounds.

Maybe it’s the sound of a perfectly-lovely colleague biting into an apple that makes you see red – or even the stranger chewing gum loudly next to you on the train.

It might be crunching, chewing, slurping, or even loud breathing, these everyday noises can get you pretty worked up.

But why do these mouth noises make a certain cohort of people so incredibly uncomfortable?

Christopher Paul Jones, a leading phobia specialist on Harley Street, says: ‘The sound of chewing is one that many people find particularly grating, and can put people off from sitting near others while they eat.

‘While it’s not entirely clear why this happens, some theories suggest that it may be related to the way our brains process sounds. Certain frequencies or patterns of sound – like that of chewing – may activate parts of our brain that are associated with negative emotions, leading to a feeling of irritation or even anger. 

‘This is especially true for those who have sensitive hearing, who may find the noise too overwhelming for their senses.

‘For some people, the sound of chewing can be a full-blown phobia, known as misophonia. This is a condition where certain sounds, like chewing, trigger a strong emotional or physiological response, such as anxiety, anger, or even a physical sensation like pain. 

‘Misophonia can be very challenging to live with and can make it hard for those who suffer from it to be around those who are eating, with any mouth noises making them feel uncomfortable.’

But when eating, drinking and breathing is a crucial part of everyday life – what’s the best way to deal with this?

Crunchy (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Christopher says if you’re someone prone to getting riled up by chewing, there are a few things you can do.

He explains: ‘One strategy is to try to distract yourself or focus on something else when you know you’ll be in a situation where chewing sounds are likely, like using a white noise machine or a calming visualisation. 

‘Another option is to practice mindfulness techniques, like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, to help you stay calm in the moment and to help redirect your fear or annoyance – helping your mind to break the association between chewing and feelings of disgust.’

The third is a bit riskier – and is only really advisable with close friends and family.

Christopher says: ‘If you have a friend or family member who chews loudly and it’s causing you distress, it’s okay to ask them to chew more quietly or to move to a different room.

‘By being open and honest about your feelings, you can work together to find a solution that works for everyone and doesn’t leave anyone feeling uncomfortable.’

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However, as Dr Ramya Mohan – a senior NHS Developmental Consultant Psychiatrist and founder of CAPEforhealth – points out, you can’t always control your external environment and the actions of others.

So it’s more about controlling your own response instead.

‘It is important for us to recognise our triggers and learn to manage them before they start to impact our stress levels and responses,’ she explains.

‘Rather than avoiding such situations, training our mind to be self-aware (about the aspects of chewing that annoy us), staying in the situation and learning to manage/regulate our irritability goes a long way.’

Of course, it you feel like it’s affecting your everyday life, it’s worth chatting to a professional too.

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Does crunching, chewing, slurping, and even loud breathing get you worked up?