ANTI-ASMR Typology Project

My plan for the typology project is to explore the phenomenon that has tried to be defined by many names but I am calling “Anti-ASMR” (as referenced to by some on the internet). It will take the form of a video compilation of terrible sounds, and possibly (if I have time) a compilation of people’s reaction to these sounds.

Names and definitions some people associate with this:

• Misophonia: (Not what I am studying, but related) is a disorder in which certain sounds trigger emotional or physiological responses that some might perceive as unreasonable given the circumstance. Those who have misophonia might describe it as when a sound “drives you crazy.” Their reactions can range from anger and annoyance to panic and the need to flee. Misophonia may cause a reaction to sounds such as dripping water, chewing, snapping gum, or repetitive noises, such as pencil tapping.
• Hyperacusis: (Not what I am studying, but related-ish) Not specific to a certain sound is a highly debilitating rare hearing disorder characterized by an increased sensitivity to certain frequencies and volume ranges of sound (a collapsed tolerance to usual environmental sound). A person with severe hyperacusis has difficulty tolerating everyday sounds, which become painful or loud. Hyperacusis is often associated with autism.
• Grima (Spanish term that is exactly what I’m exploring): Great article putting into words this feeling
  But although grima is most often associated with sounds, some participants said grima was triggered by the feel of certain objects – as foam rubber does for Schweiger. Some were objects associated with loud noises, but others were objects that don’t make noise, such as cork, velvet or sponges.

I think it is fascinating that we don’t have a word for this in English which is an obvious sign that this phenomenon lacks a lot of research. Most projects that I have seen that are similar to my idea (like this video) contain sounds that almost everyone finds somewhat annoying/disgusting. What sets this typology apart from others is the fact that most of these sounds except one or two don’t bother me personally at all. However, I know that many of these actions are largely despised among groups of people even though the subject is rarely talked about. I think I find it so fascinating because it is like we all have our own personal kryptonite of which we share with certain individuals (for example, my sister and I share a trigger but we don’t share it with our parents). Also, I think there’s something wonderful in the fact of discovering we are not alone in these weird repulsions many of us have. Therefore, I am planning to record a compilation of sounds and textures of mundane things that commonly give people a negative physical reaction in order to better study this phenomenon.

To do this I plan to record myself making many of these unpleasant sounds using both the binaural microphone for audio in order to simulate texture and the way humans hear such sounds and a DSLR camera to highlight the texture in the objects themselves. The actions will be filmed in a plain, ideally white, and, well lit area that has no background noise. Only the hands of the person performing the action will be shown. The objects and actions mentioned are gathered from sources from my personal social media, word of mouth, and from online sources such as Reddit.

Symptoms People Have Said They Experience:

• Shivers
• Goosebumps
• Have to bite their tongue
• Tongue swell up
• Gagging
• Repulsive reaction
• Feeling of “makes me want to turn inside out” “makes me feel like my teeth are going to fall out.” “My nerves are trying to burrow out of my body”
• Thinking about these triggers is enough to feel them

What Sounds/Textures I Plan to Record:

• Unpolished dry wooden spoons against dry skin
• Nail files on nails
• Styrofoam against Styrofoam
• Styrofoam against cardboard
• Styrofoam against Felt
• Scratching Styrofoam
• Scratching Vinyl/3D Folders
• Water bottle with ridges (especially when wet)
• Glossy photos (like for the dole show) scraped against nails
• Touching a blown up balloon with hands
• Silverware against teeth 
• Silverware against plate
• Silverware against unglazed ceramic
• Chewing Tin foil 
• Chewing wool
• Chewing cotton balls
• Fingers against the grain of velvet
• Sharpening Knives
• Teeth grinding
• Dry hands on Dry paper towels
• Chewing paper towel
• Erasing with pencil with just metal part