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For example, think about having to listen to someone
speaking for one hour while someone else scratches their fingernails on
a blackboard. Typically, one’s nerves get on edge, they miss the gist of
what was said, they start moving around in their seats, they cover their
ears, they “tune out”, or the might shout out “Stop that noise!”. If
they listen intermittently, their receptive and expressive language
skills will be negatively impacted.
What is little known is that these hearing issues affect vestibular
functions like gross motor issues, fine motor skills, sensory
integration, oral motor skills, reading, spelling, listening, attention,
focus, and organization skills. Further, some children can develop
auditory processing timing lags. These issues impact a child’s overall
development.
There are 3 types of measurable hearing sensitivities. One is
demonstrated with testing of hearing function. The second is measured
through bone conduction sound stimulation. The third is demonstrated by
diagnostic otoacoustic emission testing. Some people have one, two, or
all three types of hearing sensitivities. It is important to determine
which ones are present when a child demonstrates any of the
hypersensitivity symptoms. A special test battery has been developed
that can determine if hypersensitivities are present.
The next question is what can be done if hypersensitivities are present?
The effectiveness of sound based therapies as a form of intervention has
been explored. When the type of hypersensitivity has been identified, an
appropriate sound based therapy is suggested. In some cases, more than
one therapy may be suggested. Many sound therapies are available.
Choosing the appropriate one is the key to success. The various
therapies include: Dr. Berard’s Auditory Integration Training that
retrains a muscle in the middle ear, the Tomatis® Method that works on
the general functioning of the ear, BioAcoustics™ that addresses
wellness issues that impact the transmission of sound throughout the
body, and other home based listening therapies.
For example, Lila, age 5, was adopted from Russia. Although little is
known about her birth mother or the pregnancy, alcohol may have been a
factor. Lila was also left unattended in her crib for most of the day,
and was fed by a bottle propped up with a pillow. Lila’s head was very
flat on one side when she was adopted at age 2. Her parents immediately
noticed that she over-reacted to sounds around her. She was fussy,
irritable, hard to console, and tantrummed easily when any noise was
made around her. Lila was a fearful child when she was first tested. She
was found to have all 3 types of hearing sensitivities. She needed to
repeat the baseline therapy three times before moving on to the next
supporting therapy. It was the second therapy that brought her more
overall comfort because it addressed the second and third type of
hearing sensitivity. After completing the series of recommended
therapies, a dramatic change occurred. Her academic skills shined. She
was interacting with other children more appropriately. Her overall
sensory integration skills improved. She was a happier child and her
sensitivities were gone.
Each child is different. Help is available for any child with
hypersensitivity to sound. The first step is appropriate testing to
determine the appropriate corrective intervention.
(for more information, go to Ms. Davis’s website:
www.thedaviscenter.com
or contact her office at 973 400-0010.
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