Misophonia audio gear: portable white noise

My 14 year old son developed misophonia earlier this year. We’ve received a lot of support from the online misophonia communities. I’d like to give something back by sharing details of the audio hardware we’ve found that helps him cope with the condition.

Most day my son uses a pair of Sennheiser PX-100 open-ear headphones connected to a Sound Oasis S-001 portable white noise machine to mask his trigger sounds.



This system has several advantages:

• Not a smartphone: Easier to persuade a school to allow it in class, exams, etc.
• Small: Both white noise device and headphones (folded down) fit in a pocket.
• Discrete: Headphones are slim and can be concealed under a hoodie.
• Easy operation: Power button and volume control can be operated by touch while in pocket.
• All-day battery: 20 hours per charge.
• Cheap-ish: $30 for the sound generator, $50 for headphones (but see below).
• Open ear: He can hear normally when he turns the noise off, without taking off the headphones.

However, there are significant disadvantages:

• Dangerous: Volume can be dangerously loud. While dealing with difficult triggers my son has occasionally set the volume to levels that can damage his hearing. Should only be used by responsible children.
• Poor labels: Device volume control has no up/down markings. You can accidentally set the volume to maximum while the device is off, then turn it on and blast your ears.
• Easy to accidentally drain battery: You can’t tell by looking if the device is on or off. No battery level indicator. It’s easy to accidentally leave it turned on overnight and wake up to a dead battery.
• Headphone model is only available used. You have to get it on eBay. Sennheiser sells a  “PX-100-II” model, but it is bulkier and doesn’t sound as good. I don’t recommend it.

We own two Sound Oasis machines due to the battery drain problem. One is always on the charger while the other is in use. We put stickers on them to tell them apart.

Other children might prefer earbuds to headphones. Earbuds would be small and also offer some sound isolation.

I have no financial interest in these products or companies. I don't get paid if you click the links above. These are just the products we've found work best for us.

Next up: How to hear your teacher’s voice when you’re using white noise in class.