Therapeutic Listening

Therapeutic Listening

Therapeutic Listening® is an evidence-backed protocol that combines a sound-based intervention with sensory integrative activities to create a comprehensive program that is effective for diverse populations with sensory challenges. Therapeutic Listening can impact sensory modulation, attention, behavior, postural organization, and speech and language difficulties. Trained therapists learn to use modulated CDs to set up programs for clients in homes, schools and clinics. Listening is a function of the entire brain; when we listen, we listen with the whole body.

What does Therapeutic Listening involve?

  • Listening to electronically altered music of various genres on a CD player over specialised headphones
  • Completing an individualised movement (vestibular-proprioceptive) program focusing on core muscle strength and respiration (breathing) activities

How does therapeutic listening work?

  • The CDs vary in terms of musical style, types of filtering, and level of complexity.
  • The music on each CD is electronically altered to elicit the orienting response, which activates the muscles of the middle ear (stapedius muscle and tensor tympani) and stimulates the Cochlear and corresponding auditory processing centres
  • This sets up the body for sustained attention and active listening
  • Because of the links with 10 of the other 12 cranial nerves, other effects are often noted including improvements to sleep, better emotional regulation, improved digestion and stabilisation of bowel and bladder movements.
  • Therapeutic listening coupled with sensory integration type treatment appears to speed up neurological maturity including the maturation of time and space perception.

What kind of problems does therapeutic listening appear to help with?

Coupled with sensory integration treatment it appears to speed the emergence of:

  • Attention
  • Organised behaviour
  • Self-regulation
  • Postural control
  • Bilateral coordination (integration of body movements from two sides of the body)
  • Praxis (motor planning)
  • Fine motor control
  • Oral motor/articulation skills
  • Social skills
  • Communication
  • Visual motor integration

Other improvements noted (most likely due to links with the vagal nerve)

  • Improved sleep
  • Improved digestion
  • Improved bowel/bladder control
  • Improved energy
     

Process for enrolling your child in Therapeutic Listening

  • Book an assessment
  • Therapist does full assessment regarding the child and family's suitability for the program (4-6 hours in total over several sessions).
  • If accepted, a 6 month program is booked, parents and teachers are trained in the process and the child attends weekly to fortnightly therapy until the completion of the program.
  • (Commonly done alongside either the Wilbarger Protocol or the Astronaut Program)


For more information visit the Vital Links website >