My daughter was diagnosed with auditory processing disorders when she was five years old a short time after being diagnosed with epilepsy. I learned from the start that I had to handle conversations with her differently than my other children and had to have patience with her as learning was different compared to my other children. When I learned about Soundsory from Sound for Life Ltd, I definitely wanted to review it. Being able to help her with better memory and better attention is something that very much interested me. SOUNDSORY® can help people with more than just auditory processing disorders as it's a multi-sensory program designed to also help people with:
- Motor delays, Balance and Coordination;
- Autism spectrum and Developmental delays;
- Sensory processing disorders; and
- ADD and ADHD
The Program Contents
The SOUNDSORY® program comes with a nice carrying case to store the headphones, guide, USB cord and headband to keep the headphones in place as needed.How it Works and Set-Up
The neuro-acoustic modifications provides the person with music that is delivered through air and bone-conduction for auditory stimulation with the headphones that are provided. It's important to ensure the headphones are positioned with the top part directly on the head and special attention has to be made to the right and left sides of the headphones to the head. We were able to use the first part of listening to SOUNDSORY® while my daughter drew or painted. The second part included five minutes of a movement paired with music. After inputting the special access code on their website, it was easy to follow along with each movement as they weren't complicated which was really nice as sometimes children can be resistant to change or the perception something will be difficult.The setup was extremely easy with both an enclosed paper instructional as well as a quick guide available online. To charge, it only requires using the USB cord to a computer or an outlet adapter if you prefer (not provided). A nice feature is the headphones can be switched to bluetooth to listen to non-program music and phone calls.
While researching SOUNDSORY®, the information provided really grabbed my interest more:
- SOUNDSORY® was specifically designed to emphasis the rhythm of music as rhythm is connected to many brain functions. This connection has been shown to be critical in effective coordination of mental and physical activity.
- Did you know that the auditory function (sensory organ) and the vestibular function (motor organ) of the ear are interconnected and that music can have an impact on balance, coordination, and balance? I thought that was really interesting!
- The music was crafted to focus on rhythms which are similar to our body movement physiology such as the March music which I was listening to as I started writing my review. It's a very catchy motivational tune for me.
- Each song is short enough to avoid habitual processing while long enough to allow the brain to get use to the rhythm and each day is organized with a change of tempo many times to challenge the brain.
- Processing information requires the ability to predict and anticipate information. The tunes chosen provide a challenge to adapt as there are sudden changes in tonal contrasts triggered by timbre and intensity. Our brains are always trying to build a prediction on melody based on its understanding of rhythm and tempo. When the brain confirms the prediction, it provides satisfaction and confidence thus improving the ability to stay focused and develop organizational abilities. They provide the analogy of seniors listening to heavy metal music and how it poses a challenge to them. After I wrote this paragraph, I tried to reiterate this to my husband and kept forgetting key points so I've decided I will be utilizing the program starting today to see if it will help my brain functioning.
There are so many very interesting details, facts and information surrounding SOUNDSORY® it would be impossible to list everything so I tried to cover some that really were most interesting to me. The online protocol provides all the information needed to answer questions, to adjust for the auditory sensitive or the exercise portion, as well as how to utilize SOUNDSORY® to gain the maximum benefit.
After listening to the 30 minutes of music, the five minutes exercise concludes the daily program. It is recommended to use 5 to 7 days a week for 40 days. The exercises are found on the Sound for Life Ltd. website. They are divided into four exercises with a young boy providing the example to guide the child such as:
- Body Rubs
- X Stretch
- Front/Back Jumping
- Open/Close
The program can be restarted if there is a pause in listening but there are precise instructions on whether to restart at the very beginning or where one left off pending the number of days that had lapsed. The program can also be repeated but Sound for Life Ltd recommends waiting four weeks.
Our Review
My daughter was a little reluctant at first but as time progressed, she adapted to the use of the program and didn't mind it at all. I found that I at first, would help motivate her with performing the five minute exercises with her. After a few sessions, I allowed her to do the program in privacy as a 16 year old sometimes feel a little silly in situations like this. After I walked her through the benefits of the program and why it's an ideal fit for her and her epilepsy and learning disabilities, she was willing to continue the program. She liked that the duration of the music was only 30 minutes and that she was able to listen while doing another activity such as drawing. She also liked that the exercises were only five minutes. She noted how comfortable the headphones are and how well they fit. She said she feels she can think "clearer," and that she is having an easier time understanding directions. The true test will come this Thursday when she starts volunteering in the children's department at a local facility. I'm hoping she will have gained the perceived confidence in her ability to be an integral and effective addition. I will post an update in a few weeks. As of now, I definitely feel there has been an impact in her confidence level, her ability to listen and take directions as well as just seeming to be a little calmer and relaxed.
The ability to utilize this program from home makes it a hit and the versatility for who would might benefit from it is wonderful. I'd like to try it with my mother for a cognitive boost. Overall, we recommend Soundsory by Sound for Life Ltd.
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