What is Therapeutic Listening?
Therapeutic listening (TL) is an evidence-based intervention utilized to support individuals’ ability to tune in and respond to the world around them. The approach uses a variety of sound-altered music selections to elicit an orienting response, which allows for active listening across environments.
How does Therapeutic Listening work?
The altered music stimulates the vestibular-cochlear system in the inner ear, which then sends signals to the brain, impacting the central nervous system and influencing areas responsible for sensory processing. This allows the brain to better organize and regulate sensory input, particularly in individuals with sensory processing difficulties; essentially, it “exercises” the auditory system to improve how the brain interprets and responds to sound, potentially leading to better coordination and overall sensory integration across the body. Depending how music is filtered, it will ideally trigger orienting responses (autonomic nervous system response, eyes searching/head turning, body stilling, softening, or quieting, increased depth of breadth, activation of postural muscles, change in facial expression).
How can Therapeutic Listening help my child?
Therapeutic Listening has been used to address the following:
– poor attention
– difficulties interacting with peers as well as limited play skills
– challenges with transitions or changes in routine
– difficulty communicating (both verbal and non-verbal)
– Sleep difficulties, bowel and bladder control, and eating challenges
– Ability to follow directions
– Challenges perceiving and navigating space, poor timing and sequencing of motor skills
– Responses to various sensory stimuli (sounds, touch, taste, pain)