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What are Therapeutic Listening Techniques?

In recent years, therapists have begun to explore the use of specific auditory input, including music, as an additional modality. Processing of auditory information is important for the development of communication, as well as environmental awareness and safety. The therapeutic use of specially designed music can help individuals to understand their sound environment. Through this understanding, sound sensitivities can be decreased and skills that are dependent on effective processing of auditory information can be improved.  Research has linked the positive use of music to relaxation and self regulation, pain relief, lowering blood pressure and heart rate, focusing skills, listening and communication, as well as enhancing cognitive, reasoning and academic abilities.

Therapeutic Listening techniques are based on the work of a French physician named Alfred Tomatis, who first explored the use of music as a therapeutic tool. From his work many programs have been developed that focus on the specific use of music and sound frequencies. These programs have been used successfully with a wide variety of clients including those with autism, attention deficit, learning disabilities, and other developmental delays. The purpose of therapeutic listening techniques is to help re-educate the way an individual listens to improve learning abilities, communication skills, creativity and social participation.

Listening Therapies may be used to support change in the following areas:

• Improve listening skills
• Provide comfort with environmental sounds
• Increase initiation and reciprocal language
• Facilitate better self regulation
• Enhance balance and security in movement
• Improve timing and sequencing
• Encourage improved attention and focus
• Support speech and language development
• Enhance body awareness and motor coordination
• Improve ability to follow directions.

At South Shore Therapies we offer three Therapeutic Listening Techniques:

• Therapeutic Listening
• The Listening Program
• SAMONAS sound therapy

Listening programs are individually designed based on the areas of difficulty and functional changes that are desired.

For more information please see www.vitalsounds.com, www.advancedbrain.com
or call 781-335-6663.