Have you ever heard of therapeutic listening? It’s a type of treatment that can be very helpful for people who have experienced trauma or who have sensory processing disorders. In this blog post, we will discuss what therapeutic listening is, and how it can help you or your loved one!
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What Is Therapeutic listening?
This is a type of auditory intervention that is based on the premise that the ears are connected to the brain, and that sound can influence the way the brain functions. This intervention was developed by Dr. Alfred Tomatis, a French Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. He observed that many of his patients with learning and developmental disabilities also had hearing impairments. He theorized that if he could improve their hearing, he could also improve their overall functioning.
Therapeutic listening is typically used with children and adults who have difficulty processing auditory information, such as those with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, sensory processing disorder, and other conditions. The goal of therapeutic listening is to improve the way the brain processes sound, which can in turn improve communication, behavior, and learning.
What Are The Examples of Therapeutic Listening?
There are various examples of therapeutic listening. They are as follows:
- Listening to calm music: This can help you relax and ease your mind.
- Listening to nature sounds: This can help you feel more connected to the natural world and reduce stress levels.
- Listening to guided relaxation or meditation: This can help you focus on positive thoughts and achieve a state of peace and calm.
- Listening to positive affirmations: This can help you change negative thinking patterns and boost your self-esteem.
How Does Therapeutic Listening Work?
Therapeutic listening is based on the theory that certain types of sound can help to stimulate and organize the nervous system. When we hear these types of sounds, our brainwaves begin to slow down and become more rhythmic. This change in brainwave activity is thought to help improve communication between the different parts of the brain, as well as between the left and right hemispheres. This, in turn, is thought to lead to improved social, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
There are different ways that therapeutic listening can be provided:
- One common method is through the use of specially-designed music that has been specifically created to provide the desired brainwave-changing effects. This music is typically played through headphones for a set period each day.
- Another method of providing therapeutic listening is through the use of sound-generating devices that create vibrations that are then transferred to the body through bone conduction. This type of therapy is sometimes used with children who have difficulty processing auditory information, as it can help to stimulate the parts of the brain that are responsible for processing sound.
Why Would You Use Therapeutic Listening?
Therapeutic listening is often used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other conditions that can cause difficulties with social, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
- Therapeutic listening is also sometimes used with children who have difficulty processing auditory information.
- As it can help to stimulate the parts of the brain that are responsible for processing sound.
- This type of therapy may also be beneficial for children who have difficulty regulating their emotions or who experience a lot of anxiety.
- A therapist will typically provide therapeutic listening for a set period each day, typically for 30 minutes to an hour. The length of time that a child receives therapeutic listening will depend on his or her individual needs and goals.
If you are dealing with a specific issue, such as pain or trauma, therapeutic listening can also be an effective tool for healing. It can help you process difficult emotions, release negative energy, and find inner peace.
What Are The Equipments Used?
There is various equipment used in therapeutic listening. The three main pieces of equipment are:
- ILs (Integrated Listening Systems): It is a multi-sensory approach that uses sound, movement, and touch to improve brain function.
- SOMA: SOMA is an interactive platform that helps deliver personalized treatment by measuring the user’s response to different stimuli.
- BTE (Brain Training Equipment): BTE is a computer-based system that uses brainwave entrainment to improve cognitive function.
How Does It Help?
It helps in various ways:
Improved attention
Research suggests that this listening can improve attention span in both children and adults. For instance, one study found that children with ADHD who underwent therapeutic listening training showed significant improvement in their attention span and working memory.
Improved academic performance
Studies have also shown that it can help improve academic performance. One study found that students who received therapeutic listening training showed significantly improved reading comprehension, while another study found that students who received the therapy showed improved math scores.
Improved behavior
Several studies have shown that this can help improve behavior in children and adults. For instance, one study found that children with autism who underwent this type of listening training showed significant improvement in their social skills and communication. Another study found that adults with Alzheimer’s disease who received the therapy showed improved memory and cognitive function.
It has been shown to help improve social skills in children with an autism spectrum disorder. For example, one study found that after eight weeks of this type of listening, children with ASD showed improved social skills, including increased eye contact and turn-taking during conversations.
Improved communication
This listening can help improve communication skills in children with speech and language delays. For instance, one study found that after eight weeks of therapeutic listening, children with speech and language delays showed improved communication skills, including increased use of words and phrases.
Reduces anxiety
It can help reduce anxiety and stress levels in both children and adults. For instance, one study found that anxiety-standardized attention test results improved following eight sessions of therapeutic listening intervention in children with ADHD.
If you are looking for a way to improve your overall well-being, therapeutic listening may be a good option for you.
This listening can help you in many ways. It can reduce stress, ease anxiety, improve sleep, and increase focus and concentration. It can also boost your mood and help you feel more optimistic.
Conclusion
It may be concluded that therapeutic listening is an effective intervention for a variety of disorders and can be used to help individuals improve their communication skills, social skills, and overall functioning. It can also be used to help people who are struggling with emotions or behaviors that are difficult to manage. If you are interested in learning more about therapeutic listening, please speak with your doctor or mental health professional.
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