The Listening Program

Home program
What is The Listening Program?
The Listening Program (TLP) is an auditory stimulation program (sound therapy). It uses sound to exercise the muscles and nerves in the ears and stimulates areas of the brain used in listening. This helps the brain develop and improves listening, learning, and communication skills. Instructions: Try to do TLP at the same time(s) each day. Consistency is important for effective changes. The volume must be low enough so that your child can have a conversation with you while listening. Always test the headphones first and adjust the volume before putting them on your child. Always put the headphone labeled R on your childs right ear and the headphone labeled L on your childs left ear. Your child will listen to 3 songs during each listening session. Your child should always listen to songs 1, 2, and 3 together; 4, 5, and 6 together; 7, 8, and 9 together; and 10, 11, and 12 together. Use the hold button on the bottom of the CD player to prevent your child from changing the listening sequence or volume level. Please make sure your child is not doing these activities while listening: - eating or drinking - airplane travel - homework - watching television - unsafe activities (inline skating, biking) After each session, remember to write in the listening log and, as needed, in the listening journal.

How can I help my child?

This home program should be used only under the guidance of an occupational therapist. Your childs listening schedule is: Extended schedule 15 minutes per day 5 days in a row 2 days off Use the CD for 2 weeks and then return it to the clinic. Base schedule two 15-minute segments per day at least 30 minutes apart 5 days in a row 2 days off Use the CD for 1 week and then return it to the clinic.

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Problem solving If your child appears to startle, suddenly takes the headphones off, or does not want to listen anymore, try these things: Turn the volume down and try again. Have your child do some safe heavy work while listening, such as pushing a weighted basket from room to room. If your child still refuses, skip to the last song of the sequence, and finish the listening session.

Questions?
This home program is to be used only under the guidance of an occupational therapist. If you have any problems with this home program, or any questions, please call your therapist in the Developmental and Rehabilitation Services Department.

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Check to see what song was playing when your child refused to listen, and write it down on the listening log. Most likely it will be song 2, 5, 8,or 11 (the training phase). Try to get your child to listen to a little more of the hard part at each listening session. Special instructions:

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For more information and to view case studies or research articles, please visit www.advancedbrain.com. For more reading material about this and other health topics, please call or visit the Family Resource Center library, or visit our Web site: www.childrensmn.org.
Childrens Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota Patient/Family Education 2525 Chicago Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404 10/09 Copyright

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Call your therapist if: negative changes affect your childs safety. you have questions about the way to use The Listening Program.

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