At Auditory Processing Services we offer our clients a range of evidence-based therapies to help adults and children manage their APD. We believe that no matter what age a person is, diagnosis can be validating and therapy can be life-changing, giving a person the best opportunity to succeed. We specialise in a range of therapies and long-term solutions including Auditory Training Therapy, Interactive Metronome (IM), Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and coming soon, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy.
Therapies
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Auditory Training Therapy
Auditory training therapy focuses on decoding, listening in noise, organisation, dichotic listening, short term and working memory and auditory integration skills.
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Interactive Metronome (IM)
Interactive Metronome is a tool that uses rhythmic sounds and movements to help train the brain’s ability to process and respond to sensory information.
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Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
Safe and Sound Protocol uses specially designed music and vocal exercises to help regulate the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety for people with APD.
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Tinnitus Retraining Therapy
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy will be available at our clinic from early 2025. This is a Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) recognised tinnitus treatment.
Auditory Training Therapy
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Auditory training therapy is an evidence-based therapy where we work on decoding, listening in noise, organisation, dichotic listening, short term and working memory and auditory integration skills.
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Auditory Training Therapy is ideal for any adult or child who has been diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), also known as Central Auditory Processing (CAP) Disorder.
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Auditory training therapy consists of 12-14, 45-minute sessions that take place over 14 weeks.
Testing and therapy can be online or face-to-face at our Hobart clinic located in Kingston.
When undertaking online testing and therapy for children we do like a parent nearby to assist if necessary.
Testing is repeated at the end of the 14 week therapy period to measure overall progress.
Interactive Metronome (IM)
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Interactive Metronome (IM) is a therapy that trains neural rhythm and timing in the brain and body.
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Interactive Metronome (IM) is recognised as a therapy that can help children with auditory processing disorder, ASD, ADHD, specific learning disorders, sensory processing disorders and more. It is a useful complement to other therapies or treatments, such as speech therapy or occupational therapy.
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Supported by more than 20 years’ research, IM can support improvements in overall academic results, reading comprehension and speech fluency, handwriting, organisation, behaviour, self-esteem, coordination and sport performance.
Overall, Interactive Metronome is a fun way to help clients improve their coordination and sensory processing skills, which can have a positive impact on their overall quality of life.
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More information about Interactive Metronome is available here: https://www.interactivemetronome.com/
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
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Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) therapy is a non-invasive intervention for sound intolerance. It is an evidence-based tool to help decrease auditory sensitivities and improve emotional and nervous system regulation.
There are many published studies that support this as a therapeutic tool for vagal nerve stimulation. It works well with and complements other therapies.
The Safe and SoundProtocol is based on the work by Dr Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory.
The goals of the program are to improve social skills and social engagement, improve auditory processing and listening skills and to reduce anxiety by enabling the client to hear higher pitched sounds which we recognise as ‘cues of safety’.
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Children with conditions such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, auditory processing disorder and anxiety or early childhood trauma are often great candidates for the program and research shows children seem to benefit greatly when the SSP is used in conjunction with other therapies such as auditory training therapy, OT and speech therapies.
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Throughout the 5-hour SSP program, a person listens to special music for 1 hour or less per day in a quiet and relaxed home environment whilst being supervised by a parent or caregiver.
During SSP therapy, clients listen to a series of specially designed music tracks, which are designed to stimulate the vagus nerve, a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for regulating the body's stress response.
SSP is non-invasive and can be done in the comfort of the client's home, making it accessible and convenient for many people.
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The goals of the SSP program are to improve social skills and social engagement, improve auditory processing and listening skills and to reduce anxiety by enabling the client to hear higher pitched sounds which we recognise as ‘cues of safety’.
SSP is designed to:
regulate the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety.
help to calm the body and mind, leading to improved emotional regulation and social engagement.
help to balance the autonomic nervous system, which can lead to improved attention, focus, emotional regulation, and social engagement.
Overall, SSP is a safe and effective therapy that can help clients reduce stress and anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and increase social engagement.
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Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (available in 2025)
Tinnitus Retraining Therapy will be available at our clinic from early 2025. This is a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) recognised tinnitus treatment which we are pleased to make available to our clients. More information to come or contact us to discuss.