News Neuroscience

If chewing sounds irk you, blame your brain

Misophonia marked by excess activity in structure involved in emotion

person eating corn on the cob

CHEW ON THIS Scientists found structural and functional differences in the brains of people who find the noise of other people eating, drinking or breathing to be exceptionally annoying. 

©2013 Luca Tringali/istockphoto

By Laurel Hamers

- More than 2 years ago

The sound of someone slurping coffee or crunching an apple can be mildly annoying — but it leaves some people seething.