Today I presented my first speech to my new Toastmaster's club - a speech where I not only introduced myself and described misophonia, but also related my misophonia experiences to their own environments. From the feedback I received after my presentation, it was clear that they were intrigued by the condition and were very appreciative that I shared my experiences with them. So many people commented that they never knew such a condition existed, and a few people even said that they became more aware of their actions, and making more of an effort to sit still during my presentation, the more I described my discomforts with triggers .
One comment in particular that came up frequently was how I was able to convey what it's like to them in a manner that they (as non-sufferers) were able to truly relate to what I experience every day. Right from the start, I held a snack-sized potato chip bag and kept crinkling it as I began my speech. They were able to experience how difficult it was to hear what I was saying through the distraction of the crinkling bag noise. I used several other props to demonstrate how distracting certain sounds can be when trying to focus on a task, such as when I kept clicking a ball point pen, opened a soda can right in front of them, and I even clinked a ceramic mug with a metal teaspoon during my speech to emphasize some of my points.
Although I mentioned the "nails on a chalkboard" analogy, since we were in a room that only had dry-wipe boards and a flat-panel screen, I also used some more generic analogies that were more relate-able in a modern day setting such as when a person is trying to read a book or focus on some other task while a mosquito keeps dive-bombing past their ears. First a mosquito, then a horsefly, then a bee, back to a mosquito, then a wasp... All the while the insects are bothering their ears, yet completely avoiding other people nearby. The insects are too small and fast to swat at, so they keep distracting them from what they were doing. If enough insects bombarded them, they would become so agitated and frustrated that their gut instinct would be to try to run away from the persistent bugs. (Several people said they could totally imagine what that would feel like.)
That was only one of several examples I used, and once I could see that they truly could understand what it is like to constantly have to deal with misophonia triggers, I connected the sentiments with what we do in our environments unintentionally affecting other people's environments - particularly in open office situations. I mentioned how partitions are getting lower to facilitate communication between employees, but that also makes it more noticeable when people use their speakerphones at their desks. I also commented that whistling while walking around the office can be just as distracting as someone playing their music out loud using speakers. If people are supposed to wear headphones to listen to music on public transportation (busses, subways, etc.) so as not to disturb others around them, then isn't whistling around the office just as distracting to a person who might be on a client call or trying to focus on a deadline? (Someone especially liked my comment about people not liking to have "ear worms" forced upon them.) I also pointed out how our workloads are so heavy that more and more people wind up eating at their desk, which can also be distracting to people around them who are trying to work. I suggested that they take an extra minute or two to go have lunch at a cafeteria or on an outside bench away from their desk, since research suggests that it's healthier to not eat at your desk anyway.
In the end, as rusty as I was giving a Toastmaster's speech (it's been over seven years since I was last a member), all of the feedback I received today showed that my speech helped them understand - and even sympathize - with my misophonia. Although my presentation was videotaped, I think I'm going to hold off posting it here. This may have been the first, but it will not be the last time I speak publicly about my misophonia. Once I feel I've got my message more polished, I will be happy to share it with you all.
One comment in particular that came up frequently was how I was able to convey what it's like to them in a manner that they (as non-sufferers) were able to truly relate to what I experience every day. Right from the start, I held a snack-sized potato chip bag and kept crinkling it as I began my speech. They were able to experience how difficult it was to hear what I was saying through the distraction of the crinkling bag noise. I used several other props to demonstrate how distracting certain sounds can be when trying to focus on a task, such as when I kept clicking a ball point pen, opened a soda can right in front of them, and I even clinked a ceramic mug with a metal teaspoon during my speech to emphasize some of my points.
Although I mentioned the "nails on a chalkboard" analogy, since we were in a room that only had dry-wipe boards and a flat-panel screen, I also used some more generic analogies that were more relate-able in a modern day setting such as when a person is trying to read a book or focus on some other task while a mosquito keeps dive-bombing past their ears. First a mosquito, then a horsefly, then a bee, back to a mosquito, then a wasp... All the while the insects are bothering their ears, yet completely avoiding other people nearby. The insects are too small and fast to swat at, so they keep distracting them from what they were doing. If enough insects bombarded them, they would become so agitated and frustrated that their gut instinct would be to try to run away from the persistent bugs. (Several people said they could totally imagine what that would feel like.)
That was only one of several examples I used, and once I could see that they truly could understand what it is like to constantly have to deal with misophonia triggers, I connected the sentiments with what we do in our environments unintentionally affecting other people's environments - particularly in open office situations. I mentioned how partitions are getting lower to facilitate communication between employees, but that also makes it more noticeable when people use their speakerphones at their desks. I also commented that whistling while walking around the office can be just as distracting as someone playing their music out loud using speakers. If people are supposed to wear headphones to listen to music on public transportation (busses, subways, etc.) so as not to disturb others around them, then isn't whistling around the office just as distracting to a person who might be on a client call or trying to focus on a deadline? (Someone especially liked my comment about people not liking to have "ear worms" forced upon them.) I also pointed out how our workloads are so heavy that more and more people wind up eating at their desk, which can also be distracting to people around them who are trying to work. I suggested that they take an extra minute or two to go have lunch at a cafeteria or on an outside bench away from their desk, since research suggests that it's healthier to not eat at your desk anyway.
In the end, as rusty as I was giving a Toastmaster's speech (it's been over seven years since I was last a member), all of the feedback I received today showed that my speech helped them understand - and even sympathize - with my misophonia. Although my presentation was videotaped, I think I'm going to hold off posting it here. This may have been the first, but it will not be the last time I speak publicly about my misophonia. Once I feel I've got my message more polished, I will be happy to share it with you all.
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