Why is it that we like some sounds and dislike other sounds (like tapping on a hardcover book or the scratching of a fork on a ceramic plate)? And why do people differ on what they like/don’t like?
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What you’re describing is [misophonia](https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-misophonia). It’s commonly accepted as a brain disorder. Much like some people might have depression, not everyone does. Clicking a pen, any kind of mouth sounds, taping on a book, all of these could set off a number of reactions from panic and feeling a need to flee, to anger, or even just mild annoyance.
Though that might not cover anything. The example of the fork on ceramic plates is possibly more like reacting to [nails on a chalkboard. ](https://www.livescience.com/57106-why-fingernails-on-chalkboard-hurts.html) that is more due to the shape of our ear canals or the fact that those frequencies are more akin to a baby crying, which we’ve evolved to really pick up on and respond to because talking care of babies is really important to species survival.
So… Those two things.
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