Our Story
Misophonia International started in 2015 as an advocacy project, information site, and a resource to help bridge the gap between researchers, advocates, and sufferers (or concerned relatives). Misophonia International does not solicit donations personally, we are an advocacy resource that works closely with researchers, and supports the work of ethical and outstanding researchers and scientists. All donations go directly to the research programs at reputable universities. It is our goal to provide an accurate reflection of current scientific ideas, as well as sufferer and family perspectives. We accept submissions from both scientists and sufferers in an attempt to facilitate a conversation around our disorder. It is our goal to disseminate information and help persons identify Misophonia. We provide coping resources and information documents for schools, parents, and medical professionals. Misophonia International works alongside the brilliant researchers of The International Misophonia Research Network, and provides resources such as books, PDFs, and articles that reflect the current scientific basis of the disorder. We do note that information is rapidly changing, and that these ideas are subject to editing as the science moves forward. It is our hope that Misophonia sufferers, advocates, professionals, doctors and researchers can work together in a multidisciplinary approach to wellness and treatment.
What We Do
Misophonia International and the IMRN are dedicated to accurate and ethic-based information and research of misophonia. We check facts. The following are projects we are involved in.
- Facilitating research on misophonia that helps underpin the disorder and reach a potential treatment.
- Provide PDFs, booklets and resources for professionals and sufferers.
- Provide articles and blogs for and by sufferers, researchers, and concerned family members and friends.
- Developing projects such as the Misophonia Provider Network that connects suffererers to multidisciplinary clinicians.
- Working with the Duke Misophonia Emotion and Regulation program to promote misophonia research.
- Providing resources that explain misophonia, coping methods, and potential treatments to the public.
- Supporting evidence-based treatments, and research.
Who We Are
Shaylynn Hayes, Founder
Shaylynn Hayes is a writer, graphic/webdesigner, and student in Political Science. Alongside Dr. Jennifer Brout, Shaylynn runs the News site Misophonia International. The site focuses on Research, Coping, and Awareness for the disorder. Shaylynn has also been actively involved in the web management and development of Dr. Brout’s research page, Misophonia-Research.com. What used to be a life-ruining disorder has become an interesting and defining adventure that has proven that the things that are “ruining our life” may very well be creating a new, interesting life in the place of the old.
Contact: shaylynn@misophoniainternational.com
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Dr. Jennifer Jo Brout, Research Director
Jennifer Jo Brout is a New York State Certified School Psychologist, a Connecticut Professional Licensed Counselor, and she also holds a Doctorate in School/Clinical-Child Psychology. She graduated from New York University, Columbia University, and Ferkauf School of Psychology (at Albert Einstein School of Medicine) respectively. She is also the mother of adult triplets, and is a Misophonia sufferer herself. Disappointed by her own experiences with the state of the field when seeking help for her own child in 1999, Dr. Brout began efforts to establish better research practice, improved diagnosis, and innovative clinical practice related to Misophonia (under the name “auditory over-resposivity). Dr. Brout has been at the forefront of research in this area for over 18 years, having established the Sensation and Emotion Network (SENetwork) in 2007, along with Sensory Processing and Emotion Regulation Program at Duke University in 2008.
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Let’s Talk About Misophonia!
We are willing to help your publication explain misophonia to your audience. With a full research advisory board (with clinicians, researchers, and neuroscientists), we have experts that are willing to make written comment or go on the air to explain misophonia. We can also connect you to local sufferers that can explain the hardship that misophonia sufferers face. Dr. Jennifer Jo Brout is available for media appearances in the NY and CT area and would be happy to guide you to experts in your own area – or come in via phone or skype. Our main concern is that your program is helpful and accurate! We’ll do our best to ensure your producers get the best possible information.