Therapeutic listening
Listening is a function that goes beyond hearing sounds, it taps into different parts of the body and helps an individual pay attention to and interact with the surrounding environment. This in turn, neurologically, connects itself to Therapeutic listening is a sound-based approach that targets brain function which has a vast range of influence, impacting not only a person’s physiology, but also their behavior. Therapeutic listening falls under a sensory integration perspective, targeting unique and precisely controlled sensory input. Music is electronically modified to trigger the nervous systems self-organization center assisting in a person’s response to their environment.
Standard practice consists of different protocols for different people. Each track ranges typically from 15-22 minutes and it is recommended to use circumaural headphones for the most optimal results. In terms of timing, it is recommended to listen 1-2 times daily at designated times. However, therapeutic listening can be used as an intervention tool to use on an as-needed basis or prior to events that typically present as challenging.
In order to engage in therapeutic listening, clients will need headphones and a music player. Vital Sounds is a popular brand for this. They are specifically designed for therapeutic listening anc come with a player and a compatible headphone set.
Therapeutic listening can be broken down into three categories: engagement, interaction, and discrimination. Sensory modulation covers basic modulation needs, verbal and non verbal communication difficulties, regulation and engagement, and regulation and biological difficulties, Spatial awareness covers issues with basic spatial awareness, space and core difficulties, and higher level space and attention difficulties. Core/praxis covers timing and sequencing, bilateral activation, postural activation and levity, breath and core activation, anchoring to place, transitions and refinement of core strength. Attention focuses on the refinement of communication and academics. Sensory modulation tracks consist of links to modulation, rhythm and rhyme, peach jamz, razbery jamz, early mozart, mozart for modulation. Spatial awareness which consists of links to space, nature pop, nature winds. Core/praxis which consists of rhythm and rhyme, peach jamz, razberry jamz, apricot jamz, surf jamz, baroque for modulation, grape jamz, strawberry jamz, vivaldi for modulation and bach. Attention which consists of peach jamz, early mozart for modulation, mozart for modulation, strawberry jamz, baroque for modulation, vivaldi for modulation, more mozart for modulation, mozart strings number 1, and bach for modulation.
Therapeutic listening programs are such a dialogue between the therapist and the client, selecting tracks that have good client responses. Typically, therapeutic listening is utilized as a tool while engaging in other sensorimotor tasks. Therapeutic listening can be utilized for a wide variety of symptoms such as the following: difficulty with sustained attention, social anxiety, limited play skills, transitional difficulties, sleep, bladder, bowel movement issues, poor sequencing skills, poor emotional regulation, poor motor planning, and difficulty with executive function skills.
In terms of therapeutic listening programs, therapists will create a dialogue about the impact that listening has on activities of daily living with the parents. Parents are involved in this process, as therapeutic listening will likely be carried over onto a day to day basis. Parental observation of this program increases the understanding of the impact the therapeutic listening has on their child’s ability to participate in valued activities. Some of the indicators a parent would be looking for is how the child interacts with the environment not only in terms of listening, but their entire body. This could be seen in their attention span, sensory defensiveness, emotional state, and energy levels. After about 2 weeks of listening, a new musical selection will be made to target new goals for the client. From here, adjustments can be made if necessary in terms of musical selection and duration.
