Make sure you have or that you’ve ordered your Over-the-Ear / Non-Noise-Canceling Headphones. The modulation of the music can become distorted with in-the-ear earbuds & active noise canceling technology. Whatever you use, just make sure it’s not distorted, especially for your first weeks of listening so you can get an accurate baseline. Amazon can send you an inexpensive pair quickly. They don't have to be fancy to work well.
To Find Headphone Options on Amazon:
Go To: Amazon.com or Amazon.ca or Amazon.co.uk
Search For: headphones over ear
Sort by: Featured
Enter Max Price: $25 or $30 or £20
Remember: NOT Active Noise Canceling
Make sure they Will Connect With Your Phone (wireless can be a good option for connecting easily)
Audio Tips
After your first month or two of listening to the Safe and Sound Protocol, then you can experiment with earbuds or noise canceling headphones since you will know how it feels or can recognize how it's feeling for your child.
Try to keep background noise to a minimum if you can. Rhythmic noise like fans should be turned off if possible, no TV playing (unless it's Subtitles without Audio).
Please Never Use SSP in a Potentially Dangerous Way, for example, it should Never Be Used While You Are Driving.
In certain circumstances, I understand that it might be more practical to use earbuds &/or noise canceling. When you feel like you have a good baseline, it's okay to experiment especially when listening in the flow of life - around a noisy family, doing chores, cooking, etc. Clients have still had great results with noise-canceling headphones & earbuds when needed.
When to Start with Using a Speaker Instead of Headphones?
People Administering SSP to Small Children - They tend to move around a lot or sometimes they don't like keeping headphones on. It's okay to start them listening with a speaker both during our 1-to-1 Zoom Session & in the days ahead. Simply putting a speaker next to their bed as they drift off to sleep is a great way to get them used to SSP listening. You can work up to the headphones as time goes on.
People With Misophonia or Hyperacusis - People with misophonia or hyperacusis - Speak with a medical doctor before & during SSP delivery as needed. People with auditory sensitivities like this might want to use speakers first to listen to the SSP music & keep the volume at the lowest comfortable level throughout the entire listening experience.
From Unyte Health : Decreasing hearing sensitivity was the original indication for the SSP in the early clinical trials. Misophonic responses are associated with difficulties with emotional regulation (Guetta, et al., 2022). Clients with hearing sensitivity have significant potential to experience benefit, though they may be especially responsive to the volume of the music.
People with Tinnitus - Speak with a medical doctor or audiologist before & during SSP delivery as needed. Depending on the severity of the tinnitus, remote SSP delivery can often still be used if your doctor thinks it's okay. Some things to customize the experience for tinnitus - You'll want to pause the SSP listening session if the tinnitus becomes activated & let your ears rest. Keep the listening times shorter. Keep the music at the lowest comfortable volume during listening. Feel free to listen through speakers instead of headphones as needed. There is no need to power through. If in doubt about listening times, message Rose & your doctor. There's been instances where listening to SSP helps with tinnitus especially when done in the slow modified way that is mentioned above.