Therapeutic Listening
Why is Listening Important?
While hearing is largely a passive and mechanical process, listening is an active process that demands attention and engagement. It is a continuous process involving engagement (what is that sound?), interaction (what does that sound mean to me and my world?), and discrimination (should I attune more closely to that sound?).
In optimal, everyday listening, we attend selectively to auditory information and integrate it with other salient information from the other senses. It allows us to communicate with one another and with the world around us.
What is Therapeutic Listening?
Therapeutic Listening is a sound-based intervention. It involves listening to specially recorded and enhanced music on headphones as part of a daily program. The music gives the listener unique and precisely controlled sensory information to trigger attention and activate body movement.
The choice of music, type of modulation, listening time, and individualized activity program vary depending on the treatment goals and needs of the child. When combined with other therapy treatment approaches, Therapeutic Listening can have a significant impact on the client’s functional abilities and progress toward treatment goals.
Who can benefit from Therapeutic Listening?
Therapeutic Listening aids with:
- attention
- organized behavior
- self regulation
- postural control
- bilateral coordination
- praxis
- fine motor control
- oral motor/articulation
- social skills/communication
- visual motor integration