Unlocking the Benefits of Integrative Listening Systems: Improving Sensory Processing and Auditory Function

Written by Brenna DeStefano, MS, OTR/L

What is an Integrative Listening System?

Integrative Listening System (ILS) by Unyte is an auditory program designed to improve brain and body functioning. Developed by Dr. Ron Minson and based on the work of Dr. Alfred Tomatis, this psychoacoustic therapeutic program utilizes a multisensory experience utilizing specially treated classical music and movement. To understand the positive effects of using specialized programs in therapy, let's take a look at sensory processing and auditory input.

What is sensory processing?

Sensory processing is how we take in the information from our environment and use it to engage in our lives. With auditory processing, we are tuning into sounds from all around us, whether it's a friend asking what time it is, the sound of your shoes hitting the pavement mid-jog, or the sirens of a firetruck roaring by. When someone experiences auditory sensitivity, their sensory system works overtime to acknowledge and experience every sound in the environment. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed, shutting down from the world, or missing key information as they struggle to tune out background noise. Imagine a young boy at the grocery store who has auditory sensitivity. They can hear the squeak of that one wheel on his mother’s cart, the radio playing pop hits, a customer nearby talking on the phone, and the click of their mom’s heels on the tile floor. While focusing on all this, he missed his mom calling his name and directing him to pick a cereal for breakfast. After his mom asked him several times, both people felt frustrated and left the aisle without getting cereal. From the outside, it appears that the boy isn’t paying attention or ignoring his mother when in reality, he is so overwhelmed by all the sounds he struggles to tune into his mom’s voice and follow directions. Sensory processing challenges can impact engagement in many aspects of life, from success with daily routines, or required and preferred tasks, to personal and social interactions. Someone who experiences sensory processing challenges may have to work harder than their peers to feel comfortable and engage in their environment. They can struggle to thrive like peers and work harder to accomplish the same task of self-soothe from daily challenges. What can be done to help make life easier and allow someone to feel like they are thriving rather than just surviving? Fortunately, intervention strategies and programs have been developed to combat sensory processing challenges and help integrate sensory systems to be more effective and functional. Auditory programs like the Integrative Listening System (ILS) are improving sensory processing and auditory functioning.

So, how does ILS truly work?

Let’s dive deep into the science behind this auditory program and its effects on the brain and body via neuroplasticity. The brain initially develops through multi-sensory input from the environment. Think of a baby in the womb responding to the sound of their mother’s voice or an infant watching a bright toy move across their line of sight. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to change and continue to develop throughout life from new information by creating new synapses through repeated stimulation of nerve cells. ILS provides this repeated simulation to increase the brain’s capacity to organize and efficiently process incoming information. To further enhance its effects on the brain, ILS uses a multi-sensory approach of air conduction, bone conduction, and motor exercises to incorporate auditory, proprioceptive, and vestibular sensory systems. Additionally, by targeting specific frequencies of sound in the classical songs, ILS can provide repeated stimulation to different brain regions based on the targeted goal: motor skills, body awareness and coordination; emotional regulation or sensory regulation; speech and language; concentration and attention; and social communication and behavior. For auditory processing challenges, ILS would focus on low frequencies to regulate and recognize the brain and process auditory information more effectively, decreasing sensitivities.

Is ILS used only for kids with auditory sensitivity?

No! ILS has a variety of applications and is beneficial across the lifespan. Whether it is a child who struggles with motor skills or an adult who is overwhelmed and stressed, ILS can help. Unyte reports that people who struggle with delays or difficulties in the following areas may benefit from ILS:

Stress or feelings of anxiousness and overwhelmed
Sensory Processing
Motor skills and balance
Processing speeds
Concentration, attention, and memory
Speech and Language
Written expression and reading comprehension
Social communication, behavior

How can ILS be used to help such a range of challenges?

Think about the music frequencies and their ability to affect different brain regions. Depending on the problem, ILS may focus on programs with higher or lower frequencies. People feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious, as well as those with sensory processing challenges, will focus their ILS program on lower frequencies. Meanwhile, someone who wants to improve attention, focus, reading, and language skills will focus their ILS program on the higher spectrum of frequencies. Because ILS uses neuroplasticity and creates new pathways in the brain, the benefits should carry on.

Does the ILS actually work?

Sasco River Center has seen improvements in our clients experiencing a wide range of challenges using the ILS auditory programs throughout the years. A child who once shut down in community events or without their preferred music blasting finally felt comfortable shopping in a grocery store and attending a sleepover. Even something as simple as using the program for a few minutes has made a noticeable difference in a child's regulation during an occupational therapy session. Unyte has many case studies and testimonials on their website that highlight the success stories of the auditory programs. Now, let's think about the young boy in the grocery store again. Let’s say his family recognized his sensitivity to sound was different from his peers and decided to receive help. During therapy this young boy started on the ILS program and used their tailored sensory motor program that focuses on low frequencies. The goal is that by undergoing the program, the boy will not be overwhelmed by auditory stimuli as his brain can process sounds more efficiently. Now, at the grocery store, he can tune into his mom's voice and gets to pick his favorite cereal without rising tensions or frustration on either side.

Interested in using the integrative listening system?

ILS is delivered by a qualified professional who is certified in the program. It can be integrated into many different practices, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, ADHD coaching, autism specialists, physical therapy, psychology/counseling, and sports coaching, to name a few! The psychoacoustic program involves specialized headphones and treated music that utilizes air conduction and bone conduction for effective listening. When paired with motor exercises, the experience is further enhanced. Check Unyte’s website to find qualified professionals using ILS in your area. Here at Sasco River Center, all occupational therapists in the clinic are certified to administer ILS to their clients. Depending on the goal, ILS can be completed in 24-60 hours of listening. Seems like a lot? Not to worry, as the program is broken up into manageable sessions that can be as short as 30 minutes to as long as an hour. ILS can also be tailored to your schedule as it has remote or in-clinic delivery options.

So what now?

In summary, our sensory and nervous systems process information about the world around us so that we can engage in personal, functional activities and social interactions. For some, their sensory systems can be overwhelmed or struggle to process all the incoming information effectively, leading to shutdown, feeling overwhelmed, or missing key points in social interactions. Therapeutic programs and interventions have been developed to help address these concerns, including the Integrative Listening System. Through the power of neuroplasticity, ILS helps address various sensory, motor, cognitive, attentional, and speech challenges across the lifespan. With the guidance of a licensed professional, ILS can be an important tool to incorporate into therapeutic practices, as seen in occupational therapy services at Sasco River Center. If you or a loved one ever felt like these examples or experienced sensory processing challenges, speak with a licensed professional about auditory programs. At Sasco River Center, our occupational therapy team is happy to answer questions and discuss using Unyte’s Integrative Listening System.