Therapeutic Listening In Raleigh, Cary, Durham & The Triangle

Developed by Occupational Therapist, Sheila Frick, Therapeutic Listening is an evidence-based auditory intervention intended to support individuals who experience challenges with sensory processing, listening, attention, and communication. It is an individualized intervention that involves using specially modulated music through headphones to activate both the auditory and vestibular (balance) systems simultaneously to set up the nervous system in preparation for the development of emerging skills. As an extension of sensory integration therapy that your child may receive through OT services, Therapeutic Listening can support clients with issues in arousal, regulation, modulation of sensory input, body and spatial awareness, bilateral coordination, postural control, social attachment and connection, and for individuals who have a history of chronic middle ear infections, leading to difficulty with auditory and/or vestibular processing. This intervention is a home based treatment program delivered under the guidance of a trained therapist and is typically administered for 10-12 weeks in conjunction with weekly occupational therapy services.

Therapeutic Listening In Raleigh &Amp; The Triangle

Who Can Benefit from Therapeutic Listening?

Individuals with:

  • Poor attention
  • Difficulties interacting with peers and limited play skills
  • Challenges with transitions or changes in routine
  • Difficulty communicating (both verbal and non-verbal)
  • Struggles with sleep, bowel and bladder control, and eating
  • Trouble following directions
  • Challenges perceiving and navigating space
  • Poor timing and sequencing of motor skills
  • Abnormal responses to various sensory stimuli (sounds, touch, taste, pain)

How Does Therapeutic Listening Work?

Music for this program covers a broad range of genres including classical music, children’s music, pop music, nature sounds, jazz, instrumental, and vocal. Therapeutic listening uses modulated music, which refers to re-recording composed music with the use of specialized filters. These filters allow only specifically targeted frequencies to pass through the inner ear system at a time, and as the music switches between high and low filtered music, it creates what sounds like subtle volume changes. The active changes you hear while listening to the modulated music become essentially a “work out” for the stapedius muscle within the inner ear, which is responsible for active listening. Since all of the middle frequencies are removed from the music, the stapedius muscle is constantly contracting and releasing while listening. Your trained therapist will choose music selections with higher tones (i.e. violin, piano) to impact attention, emotion, and cognition and choose music with lower tones (i.e. drums, guitar) to promote grounding and activate and organize motor systems.

How Is Therapeutic Listening Delivered?

Therapeutic Listening is delivered through the Vital Links app-based platform which is available on iOS and Android devices. Specialized headphones are required and are offered for rental through DTA. This program is often used in the clinic during an OT session and at home as part of a home based sensory diet and home program. Listening should be done two times per day for 30 minutes, 7 days a week. Typically, each album is listened to for about 2 weeks depending on the client’s response.

ContraindicationsTherapeutic Listening

  • Schizophrenia
  • Auditory-evoked Seizures
  • Tic Disorders
  • Active Ear Infections

Contact Us

Our Services

Contact Us For More Information Or To Schedule Therapeutic Listening in Cary NC

If you are looking to schedule an appointment or evaluation for therapeutic listening in Cary, Durham or Raleigh, contact our Cary office at 919-465-3966.  At DTA we also provide a number of other therapy services such as: Occupational Therapy, Reading Therapy, Handwriting Programs, Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening, Feeding Therapy, Sensory Enrichment Therapy, Autism Services, Speech Therapy, Safe & Sound Protocol, Bike Riding Lessons, and Irlen Screening. We have offices in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, which means we work with students all over the Triangle, from cities and towns like Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Clayton, and the surrounding area. Give us a call at any of our locations to schedule an initial evaluation or with any questions you may have.