Developed by Stephen Porges (the “father” of the polyvagal theory), this protocol is a five-day intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience.  The intervention uses prosodic vocal music that has been filtered to train the middle ear muscles to focus in on the frequency envelope of human speech.  Once human speech is properly perceived, the portal to social engagement has been opened.  You’ll find you are (or your child is) better able to interpret not only the meaning, but also the intent in conversations.  And the sense of safety that is achieved by better understanding the fluctuations in human voice calms your (or your child’s) physiological state.  Once your system has been primed and your state is calm, further therapy is enhanced and behavioral regulation is improved.  

Dr Porges says:

“The SSP uses the auditory system as a portal to the vagus complex, which controls our physiological state. Once physiological state is regulated, we can accelerate or enhance subsequent therapy.”

Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, the program is derived from nearly four decades of research on the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and social-emotional processes. It is designed to stimulate nervous system regulation by exercising and systematically challenging the auditory system with specifically processed music.

The music trains the auditory pathways by focusing on the frequency envelope of human speech. As the client learns to process these speech-related frequencies, they improve the functioning of two cranial nerves that are important for promoting overall social behavior. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) helps clients focus on human voice and tune out irrelevant frequencies. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus Nerve) enables self-soothing and autonomic regulation.

Following successful completion of the intervention, individuals will be better able to focus in school, therapy, and everyday life and experience a calmed emotional and physiological state.  This is based on studies that suggest that skills such as attention, state regulation and the ability to engage socially will be enhanced.

This protocol involves five successive appointments of one hour each, listening to music embedded with specific frequencies in the presence of a safe person in a calm environment. The device will be ordered on demand for anyone who wants to do the protocol and will be done at my office on five consecutive days. Regular fee will be applied for each of the five sessions. 

For more information, please go to: https://integratedlistening.com/ssp-safe-sound-protocol/