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Why Is Bone
Conduction Important in Auditory Training?
What is Bone Conduction? How Bone Conduction Works The inner ear is encased within the temporal bone which resonates when stimulated by sound, providing direct stimulation to the cochlea and vestibular system (the inner ear). The bone conduction pathway is most efficient in transmitting the large vibrations produced by low frequency sounds (zone one). This makes a bone conduction program of particular value for clients with problems integrating zone one functions such as; body image, self regulation, time and spatial issues, motor skills and the rhythm of body and language. Further, problems may be addressed in zones two and three relating to the functioning of the middle ear as observed through; anxiety, hypersensitivity to sound, listening discrimination, filtering out background sound and poor vocal control. Our bone conduction system delivers auditory stimulation through headphones with standard air conduction to the left and right ear. In addition more amplified sound is delivered to the skull through a tiny bone conductor, or speaker, which rests on top of the skull within the headband. By applying auditory stimulation directly to the skull, the inner ear receives rapid stimulation by-passing the middle ear, prior to receiving it through the air conduction route. This experience is subtle and very grounding. The body is prepared and seems more ready to receive auditory input. This appears to be of particular benefit to those who present as being disconnected from or resistant to sound such as children on the autism spectrum. It is amazing how clearly you can listen to the music though bone conduction only, people are fascinated when they first experience it! Bone conduction is essentially, an added form of stimulation to the cochlea and vestibular system and is more intensive than air conduction alone. The increased input is observed to accelerate change. In addition, bone conduction is how a fetus hears sounds in-utero. It is in the womb where listening begins. Taking the listener back to this earliest developmental period using bone conduction is the foundation of the listening process.
How Do I Know if I Should Get The Bone Conduction System?
Does Your Child Cover Their Ears? Children who cover their ears to avoid particular sounds or avoid noisy places are hypersensitive to sound. They take in sounds too much with their bones instead of their ears. They often have a variety of sensory integration issues as well such as not liking things on their heads/ears or tactile and oral sensitivities (those picky eaters...). These children can greatly benefit from the bone conduction system. Bone Conduction desensitizes the body to all the hypersensitivities by sending the sounds first to the skull bone via a transducer imbedded in the headphone before it goes to the inner ear for processing. Bone conduction is a more effective means of stimulating the vestibular system (inner ear) than just air conduction alone. Sounds travel faster through bone than through air. Bone conduction is also the dominant means of intra-uterine listening, the way a fetus becomes wired for sound.
Think your child won't wear these headphones due to their hypersensitivities? Think again. That's why they need it! Your child will totally surprise you...
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