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Original poster

Misophonia rant - exam invigilator chomped through exam

68 replies

Macca84 · 24/05/2019 21:45

Just need a rant!! I've got misophonia and the worst possible sound to me is somebody eating and not being able to keep their mouths shut whilst doing so. I had a 3 hour exam today, one that I'd prepared so hard for, then all the way through I wasn't able to concentrate properly as I had to listen to to exam invigilator chomping apples through most of the exam - most of it I spent trying not to hear it sounds or discretely covering my ears and trying to read the paper and attempting to control my rage. I'm normally fairly calm but this kind of situation is a fooking nightmare to me. Just REEAALLY needed to get that off my chest!!

OP posts:

RevealTheLegend · 24/05/2019 23:07

I always take earplugs into exams.

NoBaggyPants · 24/05/2019 23:09

I have hyperacusis and have a separate exam room, a white noise machine to mask any background noise (exam is in a hotel), and it's on the invigilator's notes that no eating is permitted. Worth asking for next time?

Runkle · 24/05/2019 23:37

I would complain, that's ridiculous.

Original poster

Macca84 · 24/05/2019 23:52

Yes it might, GCA. I just honestly never expected an invigilator to start chomping on apples in an otherwise silent room

OP posts:

Original poster

Macca84 · 24/05/2019 23:54

I dont think I can bring myself to complain- I realise that's terribly British of me but I don't want to get him into trouble! I'll maybe compromise and send an email to the exam board explaining the situation and requesting they appreciate how distracting it can be for future? I'm a total wuss, I do realise!

OP posts:

MiniMum97 · 24/05/2019 23:56

You should have said something. I have midi phobia too and would have wanted to kill him. Regardless of that it was likely off putting to others as eating apples in a quiet room is extremely noisy. Very unprofessional.

I would complain so the institution can make sure it doesn't happen to others.

mouldyhousemouldylife · 25/05/2019 00:00

Email and complain. It won't be the last time be does it. I'm pissed off for you!

Original poster

Macca84 · 25/05/2019 00:03

Thank you all, you have eased my post-exam rage!

OP posts:

WontLetThoseRobotsDefeatMe · 25/05/2019 00:10

That's really shitty of an invigilator.

Ear plugs though - surely if there were others in the same exam hall you were running the risk of snot, heavy breathing or coughing causing a misophonia issue (I'd have found all ridiculously off putting, let alone apples!). Don't you use them as a matter of course in exams?!

mustdrivesoon · 25/05/2019 00:20

So what if he gets into trouble. He is paid to invigilate exams whilst being unobtrusive.

ChillaxingInMyKimono · 25/05/2019 00:23

That's completely not OK, misophonia, or not.

He needs to be told never to do that again. It would be distracting for anyone.

Jeez, what a total lack of cop on, on his part.

DamnShesaSexyChick · 25/05/2019 00:25

It's just someone eating an apple there's no need for all the hyperbole 'chomping' etc.

AlexaAmbidextra · 25/05/2019 00:39

It's just someone eating an apple there's no need for all the hyperbole 'chomping' etc

But it’s almost impossible to eat an apple quietly. People do ‘chomp’.
I had a work colleague who ate apples every day. She sounded like Desert Orchid. 🐎 I used to have to leave the room.

FiremanKing · 25/05/2019 00:51

I don’t have misophonia and the sound in a quiet atmosphere of someone eating an apple whilst I’m trying to complete an exam paper would be very annoying

JaneJeffer · 25/05/2019 00:58

I have to leave the room when DH eats an apple.

redeyetonowheregood · 25/05/2019 06:13

I have misophonia and tinnitus, so earplugs present their own problems for me.

Apple crunching would have been incredibly difficult for me to cope with. Well done for being able to stay in the room, never mind write an exam!

LividLaughLove · 25/05/2019 06:19

I have misophonia. I am also a teacher, so have invigilated as well as done more than my fair share of exams.

I would NOT have been able to tolerate this. You really should have complained after the first bite, but I understand you not wanting to. You absolutely must complain now. Even without misophonia that’s completely out of order.

TheoriginalLEM · 25/05/2019 06:23

I have this and i promise you, i would have stabbed him in the neck with my pencil!! This would have made me physically sick and i think you should complain, if your score is near a grade border you'll be forever questioning if you would have performed better without the distraction.

Our exam nemesis at uni was bloody seagulls on the roof. Urban ledgend suggests that one student actually wrote a poem about the gulls in lieu of an answer!

Submariner · 25/05/2019 07:07

I would complain to the examination centre. It's not going to get him fired but they'll issue a reminder to their invigilators, surely?

Original poster

Macca84 · 25/05/2019 10:01

You all maybe have a point. In any case, I will not sit through that torture again!

OP posts:

Original poster

Macca84 · 25/05/2019 10:04

To be honest snot and breathing don't bother me too much - eating and whistling are my nemesis and I didn't expect either in the exam. Lesson learned though!!

OP posts:

EdWinchester · 25/05/2019 10:04

I would definitely raise this - it's just not on. I would also have had to say something to him.

Original poster

Macca84 · 25/05/2019 10:05

It's just someone eating an apple there's no need for all the hyperbole 'chomping' etc

"Chomping" is hyperbole? 😆

OP posts:

DamnShesaSexyChick · 25/05/2019 12:32

Yes along with 'slurping' and 'smacking lips' I just hate the thought of people feeling self conscious about eating because of people like you sorry

Original poster

Macca84 · 25/05/2019 12:51

People like me? Somebody who stayed quiet and said nothing when someone was sat in front of an exam hall eating noisy food with their mouth oorn? Because I suffer with a condition that often makes my life hell? Well you sound delightful

OP posts:

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