It’s funny, this phenomenon doesn’t only exist with couples. My best friend since high school is driven nuts by a few of my habits, one of which is, in her words, ‘‘giraffing my food.’’ I don’t know exactly what that means but something like reaching out and touching it with my tongue before I put it in my mouth - like a giraffe does. I have never had anyone else tell me I do this or indicate that it bothers them.
We tried working together once, in high school. Let’s say it was a short-lived experiment.
Those of you with serious problems with coughing, lip-smacking, etc. in your partner, you might actually have a condition called misophonia. My husband treats it in both children and adults. In the most severe cases, people can’t eat out at restaurants or with their family because of the mouth noises. It can be treated, and might go a long way toward improving your relationship.