Therapeutic Listening is an evidence-based auditory intervention intended to support individuals who experience challenges with sensory processing dysfunction, listening, attention and communication. Therapeutic Listening activates listening which is the process of detecting sound, organizing it and integrating it for use with information from other senses.
Therapeutic Listening involves listening to modulated music through specialized headphones twice a day for 30 minutes. The headphones are open air meaning the child can also hear others around them and can talk to others while listening to the music. The child can go about their daily activities while listening to the music (except for watching TV, playing video games and other similar activities). The time period between listening sessions must be at least 3 hours apart.
Therapeutic Listening is not a specific protocol but rather a dynamic process in which a trained therapist chooses modulated music specific to the child’s needs. The child will listen to each music album for a period of two weeks. After two weeks is up the child will be reassessed by a therapist and a new album will be recommended. There is no specific time frame for Therapeutic Listening, some children will benefit from listening to the music for twelve weeks and others will listen for 6 months plus.
Therapeutic Listening has been used to address:
- poor attention
- difficulties with social interaction and play skills
- abnormal responses to various sensory stimuli (e.g. sounds, touch, taste, pain)
- poor timing and sequencing of motor skills
- challenges perceiving and navigating space
- struggles with sleep, bowel and bladder control, and eating
- difficulty communicating (both verbal and non-verbal)
- challenges with transitions or changes in routine
Here is a short video explaining more about Therapeutic Listening – Therapeutic Listening
Here are a few testimonials from parents that have used Therapeutic Listening – Therapeutic Listening for Parents
Here is some more information on the science behind Therapeutic Listening – Science Behind Therapeutic Listening
Therapeutic Listening is used along with many different OT activities to help children in these areas. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to start exploring Therapeutic Listening for your child!
References: Therapeutic Listening – Listening with the Whole Body