Sensory Listening Systems – Listening Systems that assist you in creating the change you want in life.
LISTENING FOR IMPROVEMENTS
We all have sensory systems that help us manage being in the world and feeling secure. Some people are more highly sensitive than others, some are less so, and we can all get overwhelmed with stress and anxiety from time to time or even shut down completely when burned out, traumatised, or hurt in some way. There are many ways to work with both developing and mature nervous systems to help bring about calm, focus, and safety that are non-invasive and work with your body’s own natural ability to grow, heal, and regenerate.
Sensory programmes that work through listening have a robust recent history of alleviating many difficulties from depression to insomnia to autism and more. We have a large collection of options for you to choose from as an additional support when pursuing psychotherapy, neurofeedback or any other support service with our team at the Psynamo Group.
The information provided below is taken directly from the websites of each of these providers with the link provided for each if you would like to learn more. Each programme targets a slightly different area and your therapist would be able to guide you on the one or ones that might be right for your needs. Call or write today to arrange an appointment to discuss your options for feeling better soon.
FOCUS
The Focus System is a clinical intervention used to improve brain function through brain and body integration via multisensory input. The Focus System is based on the fact that we can change our brain – we can essentially rewire it through specific and repeated stimulation, a concept known as neuroplasticity. As in building strength and endurance with physical exercise, we are able to build neurological pathways and synaptic activity at any age. Research has demonstrated positive results with learning, attention, reading, auditory processing, autism, strike and head injury.
The Focus System can be used in-clinic or at home, and consists of specially-treated music combined with fun movement activities, and, when ready, cognitive challenges to further activate brain networks. Ideal for both children and adults, the Focus System includes programs for sensory & motor, concentration & attention, reading & auditory processing and more, and with the flexibility of 60-minute or 30-minute sessions, it’s easy to implement in the office, at school or at home. The Focus System programs provide simultaneous multisensory input to help develop new, and reinforce existing, pathways governing organization of the body and brain function. Specially-treated music is delivered via air and bone conduction headphones, providing auditory input to the brain and sensory input to the body. Movement activities, customizable for all levels, provide additional sensory and motor input for body organization. Finally, cognitive activities, added later, challenge the brain to process multiple pieces of simultaneous information, which is reflective of demands required of the brain in our day-to-day world.
The Focus System is an effective therapy for both children and adults.
In younger people and those recovering from injury, this staged approach develops a foundation that may never have been fully developed or was interrupted due to an event. With appropriate stimulation, the brain’s ability to successfully process and retain information leads to better academic outcomes. In addition, there is an increased ability to control impulses, self-regulate behaviour and engage appropriately with others. Teens and adults see improvement in these areas, as well as improvement in reading comprehension, concentration, memory, and performance at work. Most report less stress and anxiety and a happier disposition. With a suggested frequency of 3-5times per week, home-based programs can supplement clinic visits. Focus System Programs include support for calming, sensory and motor difficulties, concentration and attention challenges, reading and auditory processing difficulties, and can even support optimal performance, not just areas in need of support.
Link to the webpage where you find more information about this programme and supporting research:
Forbrain
FORBRAIN
Forbrain® is a revolutionary brain training device that empowers everyone to harness their voice to boost their brain. Your brain is capable of learning and readapting throughout your lifetime. Forbrain’s patented device stimulates the brain’s natural auditory process for strengthened attention, memory, speech and other important life skills. Forbrain can improve self-awareness, sound articulation, and fluency by sending vocal feedback to alert the brain. This highlighting of the sounds of spoken language increases attention span, energy, and comprehension, which also results in increased productivity and knowledge retention.
Link to the webpage where you find more information about this programme and supporting research:
The Safe and Sound protocol (SSP)
The Safe and Sound Protocol is an evidence-based therapeutic tool designed to reset the nervous system and return it to safety. Designed to work with other therapeutic approaches and modalities, the SSP features specially filtered music that stimulates the vagus nerve. Suitable for children and adults, the SSP has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences, and much more.
Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, founder of the Polyvagal Theory, the Safe and Sound Protocol is a non-invasive acoustic vagus nerve stimulator that helps you to connect with yourself, others, and the world from a foundation of physiological safety. You would experience the SSP playlists through over-the-ear headphones, which can be delivered in-clinic or remotely. This engages the ventral vagal complex through the neural network associated with listening. It then helps to shift the nervous system into safety using the SSP’s algorithmically filtered music so that ultimately, therapy can be carried out you feeling more physiologically and psychologically available.
The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) is the only practical application of Polyvagal Theory and is designed to improve sound sensitivities and auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through specially-filtered music. The SSP allows for the repatterning of neural networks and improved regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) for lasting change. Based on hierarchical recruitment of the ANS, the SSP trains the middle ear muscles to tune-in to cues of safety signaled by the frequencies of human voice, which stimulates the social engagement system through the neural network associated with listening. To do this, the SSP interrupts chronic states of nervous system defense by stimulating the neural networks associated with listening. The SSP uses algorithmically filtered music focused on the frequency range of the human voice that alters the way sounds are interpreted. This ushers the nervous system out of a defensive (fight, flight or freeze) state and into a socially engaged (ventral vagal) state.
The SSP is suitable for children and adults, and has been designed to work with a diverse variety of therapeutic approaches and modalities. Its effectiveness has been proven in a wide range of studies including clinical trials involving children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, along with numerous case studies demonstrating effectiveness with emotional regulation, trauma, anxiety and more. Research has even begun on how the SSP can affect the impact of Long Covid. Explore SSP case studies and research or purchase now to get started.
Link to the webpage where you find more information about this programme and supporting research:
TOMATIS
The Tomatis® Method offers children, adults, and seniors one of the most innovative and advanced neurosensory stimulation training programs to improve brain function. Backed by numerous studies, the Tomatis® Method is commonly used to improve motor skills as well as emotional and cognitive abilities. Its unique technology modifies music and voice in real time to improve brain stimulation.
The Tomatis Method is based on the principle of the transmission of unanticipated sound contrasts through music and a person’s voice in order to constantly surprise the brain. That element of surprise forces the brain to develop automatic mechanisms to detect change, which ultimately serves to develop stronger focus and attention. The Tomatis Method uses the natural plasticity of the neural circuits involved in the decoding and analysis of sounds to retrain the brain. It can help both children and adults develop effective coping strategies to deal with learning difficulties. The fundamental principle of the Tomatis Method is that any influence on the mechanisms of reception and analysis of acoustic message will affect the way in which this message is reproduced. By enhancing phonological and linguistic awareness, the Tomatis Method helps to understand, analyse and finally interpret the basic sounds of language. The brain tends to protect itself naturally by filtering the analysis of sensory information. It especially happens when the external environment is perceived as threatening or after an emotional shock. By stimulating the vast network of nerves that controls the overall level of brain activity, the Tomatis Method has positive effects on the control of emotion as well as on the regulation of stress. The most important organ in the ear associated with balance, movement and coordination is called the ‘vestibular nerve’. The Tomatis Method, through its direct interaction with the vestibular nerve, has an effect on the regulation of muscle tone as well as on both verticality and laterality disorders. The vestibular nerve in association with several other parts of the brain plays an important role in the coordination and rhythm mechanisms. The Tomatis Method stimulate the neural circuits linking the ear to the brain called “mirror neurons”. The mirror neuron system plays an important role in social interaction, cognition and communication. The Tomatis Method is a complimentary approach which is often used in conjunction with other therapist and programmes to help those on the autism spectrum. Overall, the Tomatis Method has the potential to effect and improve all of these areas, attention, learning, voice and language, emotional regulation, motor skills and coordination, autism spectrum disorders and more.
Link to the webpage where you find more information about this programme and supporting research:
SoundSory
Soundsory is a multi-sensory home-based program. This program consists of specially designed music processed with neuro-acoustic modifications as well as a series of movement-based exercises which combines sound with movements to stimulate the vestibular and auditory systems simultaneously. The main purpose of Soundsory is to establish good foundations, from the fundamentals of sensory integration to more complex cognitive functions. It is based on a concept known as neuroplasticity: the brain can change itself and create new connections through specific and repeated stimulation. It is a supplementary product that can help you maintain the improved body, brain and ear connections from our Tomatis® program and like the Tomatis® Method, Soundsory® is a sensory training program that uses the power of music with the brain’s neuroplasticity to improve one’s cognitive and motor skills as well as auditory processing and even emotional regulation.
The concept behind the product: neuroplasticity
At any age, the brain can change itself and create new connections throughout specific and repeated stimulation. The Soundsory program is designed to capture brain attention and provide strong, multi-sensory stimulation. It helps the brain reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Neurons and neural connections can grow throughout the human lifespan. Soundsory helps the brain to develop new connections.
The Program
Soundsory® is more-or-less a home-based program that does not really require any therapist to set up. Much like the Tomatis® Method, it transmits modified music using specialised headphones. The listening segment of the program takes about 30 minutes a day, followed by five minutes of exercises.
It operates on the same principles of neuroplasticity as our main program. But where Tomatis® is considerably larger in scope and requires the supervision of a certified practitioner, the Soundsory® program is a lot simpler.
The Technology
Soundsory® uses a variation of the Gating® process also used by Tomatis®, but this one is more automated and does not require any parameters for a professional to set before using.
However, much like in the Tomatis® program, Soundsory® also uses bone conduction modules to better deliver quality music to the listener. These modules are located strategically in places like at the top part, where sound can be transmitted to the skull.
The Music
The way music works in Soundsory® is that there is a strong emphasis on rhythm and there are even more genres you can listen to from jazz and gospel, to children’s songs and classical composers.
Each session usually takes up about 9-12 tracks. However, the way the music is presented is to really keep the brain trained on the rhythm of the music but makes enough sudden changes as to keep the brain sharp and attentive.
Who can benefit from this?
Soundory is designed to be safe, effective, is suitable for all persons from three years of age upwards, and can help anyone but more specifically people with:
- Autism spectrum and developmental issues
- Sensory and auditory processing disorders
- Motor delays, balance and coordination
- ADD and ADHD
What to expect?
Soundsory will have an impact on
- Timing and sequencing skills
- Praxis and motor planning
- Perception and navigation in space
- Ability to follow directions
- Reading and writing
- Attention and focus
The Benefits
The physical exercises in Soundsory® are an excellent way to reinforce the pathways that allow the body and brain to coordinate each other. Because while Tomatis® is also excellent in building these up, Soundsory® further adds upon that by actually getting the body to move. The combination of movement and music specifically helps in the training of the vestibular system in the inner ear (which is also responsible for the way our body balances itself, controls sensory processing and fine and gross motors skills).
Another benefit from Soundsory® is that it helps to regulate emotions as the vagus nerve (parasympathetic system) is connected to the vestibular system too. This can help children with issues like overwhelming sensory stimulation that leads to emotional meltdowns. Using Soundsory can help strengthen the systems for regulating these emotional and sensory responses. And lastly, the independent nature of the program is very convenient whether it is between breaks of Tomatis®, or if you are just simply looking for ways to better improve your motor and cognitive skills. (And as a side note, the headset can also function as a regular wireless one that connects with phones and other devices via bluetooth). All in all, Soundsory® is a product designed using the same science of neuroplasticity, auditory processing and multi-sensory training as Tomatis®. However, its process is simpler, needs no supervision and can be used more casually. It is truly a wonderful supplement that works excellently with other therapeutic programs and at any age, from toddlers to seniors.
Investing just 30 minutes of your day utilising modern neuro-acoustic modifications and a series of movement-based exercises can help you to achieve your goals.
Advantages:
Movement, balance and coordination
The Soundsory movement program focuses on building proprioceptive abilities through specific, repetitive movement exercises. The rhythmic music program is also designed to stimulate the vestibular system which helps the brain better integrate information related to body position, balance and movement.
Auditory and sensory processing
The goal of the Soundsory music program is to activate the neuronal connections in different areas of the brain through the auditory channel and ultimately train the ear and the brain to analyze and process sensory information more quickly and accurately.
The rhythmic music programme
The music has been specifically recorded to emphasize the rhythm of sounds in order to activate body movement. In addition, it is electronically processed using a patented dynamic filter system to create specific sound contrasts. This effect is designed to help the brain adapt to these changes as well as to develop the ability to predict the change: just like in real life where you are constantly adapting, predicting and adjusting to the changes around you. Finally, the sound is transmitted using both air and bone conduction to deliver a unique and efficient stimulation of both the auditory and vestibular system.
- Specifically composed to emphasize rhythm
- Uses a patented dynamic filter to capture attention
- Uses bone conduction to stimulate the entire auditory system
The body movement exercises
These exercises are designed to support the integration of the brain and body through a developmental progression. They incorporate the integration of primitive reflexes, while supporting and developing body awareness, postural control as well as body coordination. By strengthening these foundational sensory motor skills, we see improvements in more complex cognitive functions that help to support learning. In 30 minutes a day for 40 days, Soundsory provides powerful stimulation of the brain and triggers the self-organizing capacities of the nervous system.
- From primitive reflexes to repetitive complex movement
- Focus on body awareness and coordination
- Easy to adapt to you or your clients profile
By strengthening these foundational sensory motor skills, we see improvements in more complex cognitive functions that help to support learning.
Link to the webpages where you find more information about this programme and supporting research: