Integrated Listening Systems
I am very happy to announce that I now use Integrated Listening Systems in my practice to improve children’s and adults’ auditory processing abilities.
Safe and Sound Protocol
Safe and Sound Protocol is a research-based therapy designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience. By calming the physiological and emotional state, we open the channels for improved communication and more successful therapy.
The SSP shows significant results in just five days in the following areas:
• Social and emotional difficulties
• Auditory sensitivities
• Anxiety and trauma related challenges
• Inattention
• Stressors that impact social engagement
This non-invasive intervention involves listening to music that has been processed specifically to retune the nervous system (regulating state) to introduce a sense of safety and the ability to socially engage. This allows a child or an adult to better interpret not only human speech, but, importantly, the emotional meaning of language. Once interpersonal interactions improve, spontaneous social behaviours and an enhanced ability to learn, self-regulate and engage are often seen.
Highlights
• Calms the emotional and physiological state by improving vagal regulation of the heart and improving auditory functions
• Addresses difficulties in social communication
• Accelerates subsequent therapies
How Does it Work
Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, the program is derived from research on the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and social-emotional processes. It is designed to stimulate nervous system regulation by exercising and systematically challenging the auditory system with specifically processed music.
The music trains the auditory pathways by focusing on the frequency envelope of human speech. As the child learns to process these speech-related frequencies, they improve the functioning of two cranial nerves that are important for promoting overall social behavior. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) helps to focus on human voice and tune out irrelevant frequencies. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus Nerve) enables self-soothing and autonomic regulation.
Following successful completion of the intervention, individuals will be better able to focus in school, therapy, and everyday life and experience a calmed emotional and physiological state.