Hamden, Conn —The Tinnitus Practitioners Association (TPA) is applauding The New York Times and NBC’s TODAY Show for calling attention to misophonia, a condition in which people are unable to tolerate certain sounds. While pleased with the attention, TPA is calling for media outlets to include more information about possible treatments.
Marsha Johnson, AuD, a Portland, Ore-based doctor of audiology specializing in sound sensitivity disorders, was featured in both segments. Johnson is a TPA board member and also sits on the board of 
the American Tinnitus Association.
The TODAY Show piece opened with Dr Johnson, but then turned to a network medical contributor who did not offer much hope for the condition, according to the TPA press statement.
Roshini Raj, MD, said on the program, "Unfortunately right now we don’t have a lot of treatments. And honestly, many doctors don’t recognize it as a condition." The segment ended without mentioning that audiologists with specialized training in sound sensitivity disorders can offer significant help.
TPA stated, “Although public awareness of conditions like misophonia is important, it is just as important for patients and medical professionals to understand that help is available. It also is critical for hearing health professionals to understand the need for advanced training to treat sound sensitivity disorders. “
TPA also called for more misophonia specialists and offering courses for audiologists interested in gaining the knowledge and experience to work with sound sensitivity patients. Visit www.tinnituspractitioners.org for more information. The site also offers a listing of practitioners with specialized training.
It is important to have compassion for patients with sound sensitivity disorders and to direct them to the “right place” for help and hope.
