Can’t stand ordinary sounds like chewing and breathing? Scientists may have found out why

People who have misophonia often have a hypersensitive reaction to everyday sounds, such as other people eating, drinking, breathing or sniffing. These reactions can range from annoyance to disgust, anger, or even lead to a fight-or-flight response.

The disorder is said to affect around 6% to 20% of the global population. But many people suffer in silence because they fear being labelled "cranky" or " irritable".

Now, scientists from Newcastle University have discovered a key brain connection responsible for setting it off – something they call a "supersensitised brain connection".