Integrated Listening Therapy (iLs)
Target Group： Suitable for children aged 2 to 15, especially those with auditory sensitivity, attention difficulties, learning difficulties or communication challenges.
Therapeutic Benefits
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Improves concentration and overall learning performance.
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Helps regulate auditory sensitivity and enhances auditory processing skills.
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Strengthens communication, organizational, and self-regulation abilities.
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Improves behavior, supports positive emotions, and reduces anxiety.
Strong listening skills are closely linked to sustained attention and the ability to stay focused without being easily distracted.
For young children especially, early childhood is a critical stage for learning and social development, when cognitive, speech, auditory, reading, writing, and social skills are still developing.
Sound therapy uses specially processed music as a form of auditory training to support people who have difficulty with sensory processing, sound sensitivity, attention, or communication. It may be helpful for individuals of all ages, including those with autism, dyslexia, hyperactivity, or similar challenges.
By helping regulate auditory sensitivity and improve focus, sound therapy can support learning, communication, and emotional well-being, while also helping to ease anxiety and tension.
Benefits of iLs Therapy
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Self-regulation: Helps regulate the body’s internal state, supporting emotional control and the development of self-confidence.
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Auditory processing: Improves the ability to receive, process, and respond to auditory information, which can enhance communication skills.
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Attention: Supports better focus, overall learning performance, cognitive function, and memory.
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Motor coordination: Strengthens motor planning and body awareness.
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Learning abilities: Helps improve reading and writing skills.
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Social participation: Supports the development of language and social skills.
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Positive emotions: Helps reduce anxiety and feelings of helplessness, and may lessen socially withdrawn behavior.
Stage 1: Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), also known in Chinese as 安適療愈整合治療, was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges based on the Polyvagal Theory.
This approach focuses on the connection between the nervous system and social engagement, aiming to support regulation of the autonomic nervous system, particularly the parasympathetic branch.
When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it may help calm an overactive or anxious nervous system. As a result, SSP may help reduce anxiety, ease fear-based withdrawal, improve communication and social interaction, and provide a stronger foundation for attention and focus development.
It may also be beneficial for children and individuals experiencing behavioral or emotional difficulties, as well as attention-related challenges.
Treatment Details
The SSP program typically involves about 5 hours of sound therapy, with the number of treatment days determined by the therapist. Sessions may be conducted either at the therapy center or at home. Parents should make sure the child is in a quiet, relaxing environment before starting the session.
During the therapy, the child will listen quietly to specially processed music while taking part in calm, non-academic activities such as colouring, playing with clay, or building blocks. Vigorous movements such as running or dancing should be avoided, although walking around the room is acceptable.
Expected Benefits
Sound therapy may help activate the facial and vagus nerves, reduce anxiety, and support intervention for sound sensitivity. By helping to restore a more balanced nervous system, it may improve communication skills and support learning progress. SSP may also help shorten the overall course of occupational therapy.
If a therapist determines that a child is suitable for SSP, sound therapy may be recommended first to help stabilize the nervous system and enhance the effectiveness of later occupational therapy sessions.
Once the first phase of sound therapy is completed, other occupational therapy training can begin.
Scheduling SSP
Parents may try to choose a time of day when the child’s energy level is balanced — not too high and not too low. The key principle is “less is more,” so there is no need to rush through the program.
If the child asks to pause the music, parents may stop the session and allow a 5 to 10 minute break for movement, bathroom use, or drinking water. Slowing the pace when needed may help the brain process and integrate the experience more effectively. If the child reports pain, the session should be stopped immediately and the therapist should be contacted.
Because the program is designed to work with the muscles of the middle ear, some children may become very tired during the process, especially around the third hour. Parents should observe changes in the child’s behaviour and ask about sleep patterns.
We strongly recommend that SSP should only be used under the supervision of a trained therapist.
Intermediate Stage: The Focus System
In most cases, after completing SSP and achieving greater physical and emotional stability, the next stage of therapy is The Focus System, also known in Chinese as 多感官聽樂整合治療. This is a multi-sensory stimulation therapy designed to support further development and integration.
Treatment Overview
This treatment is carried out at the therapy center. The child wears specially designed headphones with a bone conduction component while listening to music based on classical compositions, featuring a range of high and low frequencies. This structured auditory input helps improve the accuracy of sound perception and systematically trains the child’s listening skills.
Therapeutic Benefits
As the child’s sound processing improves, they may be better able to understand instructions, which can support learning and communication and make therapy more effective. The program also provides simultaneous stimulation to the auditory, vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems, offering multiple sensory inputs to support overall nervous system development.
This may help improve attention, communication, organizational skills, self-regulation, reading and writing abilities, as well as emotional and behavioral functioning. Based on each child’s needs, the therapist will select suitable music and design a personalized treatment plan.
Personalized Programs
Following assessment, the therapist will create a tailored treatment plan based on the child’s specific needs. Available programs may include:
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Sensory & Motor Program
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Concentration & Attention Program
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Reading & Auditory Processing Program
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Optimal Performance Program I & II
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Calming Program
Integrated Listening Therapy
Goals
★ Improve concentration and overall learning performance.
★ Shorten and enhance the effectiveness of follow-up therapy.
★ Strengthen auditory processing skills.
★ Support better emotional regulation.
★ Improve communication skills and increase social participation.
Features
★ A therapy developed over 20+ years based on Polyvagal Theory, delivered through a 5-hour sound therapy program to help stabilize the nervous system, regulate auditory sensitivity, and improve attention for better learning outcomes.
Target Group
★ Children aged 2 to 15, or those with auditory sensitivity, attention difficulties, learning challenges, or communication difficulties.
Class location
★ Tsim Sha Tsui, Tai Wai, Yuen Long
