- Written By Jennifer Vandecar, MOT, OTR/L
Therapists at Bothell Pediatric & Hand Therapy have been integrating the use of listening systems into their therapy sessions. Most recently, we have obtained an Integrated Listening System (iLs), The Therapeutic Listening Program, and The Listening Program (TLP).
All of these systems combine listening through air conduction and bone conduction. Bone conduction is where the sound is transferred directly to the inner ear via the skull bones. Hearing through bone conduction influences the vestibular system improving spatial awareness, body organization, balance, coordination, and therefore producing a calming grounding effect.
iLs is unique in that it is a multi-sensory program for improving brain function, which combines movement, listening, and visual stimulation. These 3 systems work together to change the functionality of the brain. This ability of the brain to change is known as neuroplasticity. The brain is able to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout one’s life if the neurons are stimulated through activity. When all 3 systems are stimulated simultaneously, the brain becomes better at integrating multi-sensory information which is the way our brain typically receives information from the environment. This system helps re-train the brain to become more efficient and effective and strengthens neural connections to improve performance and function.
iLs has a global effect on the brain and central nervous system, influencing the following systems: balance, visual, auditory, motor, coordination, behavior, and emotional regulation. As a result, it is successfully implemented for a wide variety of conditions: learning difficulties, reading, auditory processing, attention & regulation, sensory processing, speech & language, and neuro-developmental difficulties such as autism.
iLS Engages:
- The auditory system
- The vestibular system
- The visual system
- The proprioceptive system
- The receptive and expressive language centers.
iLs has been proven to be effective for people with the following:
- Sensory processing difficulties
- Learning difficulties such as reading, spelling, math, auditory processing and attention
- Dyslexia
- Stress, sleep, emotion regulation, and mood disorders
- Autism
- Neurodevelopmental delays
Success Story
I have been starting to incorporate the ILS system into my therapy sessions. I have one client that is renting the system and engaging in the full program. Thus far his family and I have noticed that he is sleeping better (He used to wake up before 5 am and is now sleeping until 6 am!), his attention to task has improve, and he is making better eye contact. The most noteworthy change I’ve seen with children who are using the system for 15-30 minutes of a therapy session is improved attention to task. To gain full benefit from the ILS System children need to participate in the program for 3-5 hours per week and complete at least 15 minutes of the associated movement activities for each 1 hour session.
