141. Misophonia: When Everyday Sounds Trigger Extreme Reactions – An Interview with Jordan Slingerland

Jordan Slingerland is a recent high school graduate from Gilbert, Arizona, currently in flight school. She has lived with misophonia since the age of 12 and has become a thoughtful advocate for herself and others with the condition. Jordan shares her personal journey of navigating school, family life, friendships, and work while managing intense reactions to common sounds like chewing, sniffling, and pen clicking. Her insight, vulnerability, and practical strategies offer hope and validation for anyone affected by this often-misunderstood neurological condition.

In this episode of the Concussion Coach Podcast, host Bethany Lewis steps outside the usual brain injury discussion to explore misophonia – a chronic neurological condition where specific everyday sounds trigger intense emotional and physical reactions such as rage, panic, or disgust. Bethany is joined by her cousin, Jordan Slingerland, who shares her lived experience with misophonia, from her first trigger at age 12 to developing coping strategies that allow her to reclaim joy and connection. Together they discuss the fight-or-flight response, the isolating nature of the condition, practical accommodations for school and work, tools like AirPods and loop earplugs, and the importance of self-advocacy and family support. This episode offers invaluable insight for anyone with misophonia, their loved ones, and even concussion survivors who deal with sound sensitivity.

Resources Mentioned by Jordan Slingerland

1. soquiet.org

• Comprehensive resource for misophonia research, support groups, tools, and free “misophonia cards” to share with others.

AirPods / Bluetooth headphones

• Used constantly to block trigger sounds and provide a sense of control.

Loop earplugs

• Reusable, discreet earplugs that reduce sound without full noise cancellation; helpful for testing environments where Bluetooth isn’t allowed.

Wax earplugs

• Moldable earplugs that block sound effectively.

504 Plan (school accommodations)

• Legal document in U.S. schools that can allow headphone use, preferential seating, separate testing rooms, and other supports.

AMC theater assistive listening devices

• Headphones that sync to the movie screen, available for patrons who need them (useful for blocking out audience sounds).

Family accommodations

• Non-food family activities (walks, pool time, family meetings) and separate seating during meals.

Breathing exercises & rainbow grounding technique

• In-the-moment strategies to distract the brain and calm the nervous system.

Daily reflection practice

• Reviewing both positive and negative moments to prevent misophonia from canceling out the good parts of the day.

Jordan Slingerland 

Email: jordanslingerland1@gmail.com 

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

• Free Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation