Safe Sound Protocol

The Safe Sound Protocol (SSP) in non-scientific terms and in its simplest form was developed over years based on the Polyvagal Theory by Dr. Stephen Porges. The Safe Sound Protocol (SSP) is a compilation of familiar songs organized and altered in very scientific and specific ways to elicit the brain and middle ear to ever slightly shift over the course of 5 days. The specific songs are chosen to meet the scientific criteria discovered by Dr. Stephen Porges. These songs are everyday songs, well known artists, which we listen to on the radio, in concerts and in famous movies, including Disney Sound Tracks. If you are listening really closely, have worked in the sound or music industry you may notice that the songs have been altered ever so slightly by removing an instrument, emphasizing specific tonal ranges, adding noises, changing the volume of certain tracks within the song or even which ear is being targeted by specific tones. The goal is to ever so challenge the middle ear to listen or in some cases learn how to pay attention to particular tones, which begin to exercise the middle ear in new ways and within potential new ranges.

What Dr. Stephen Porges research discovered was that it was highly probable that the middle ear had become rigid in Autistic and traumatized individuals, which limited their ability to connect to human voices within a specific tonal range. Instead, the individual focuses on the tones which might be to some what we refer to as background noises; ie. the hum of the refrigerator, noises the electric base board heater makes, or the hum of the electrical transform pole outside our house and the ticking of the analog clock on the wall. If we are always focusing on background noises it is sending messages to the brain that it is possibly not safe or maybe even never safe. We would be on high alert and unable to focus or hear the person who is trying to speak to us calmly, make eye contact with us and connected with us. It also makes it very hard to rest, relax or sleep if we are unconsciously focused on all the background noises. The brain is getting constantly bombarded with messaging that it is not safe – overwhelmed by noise pollution. This brain signaling is thus creating a dysregulated Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and a rigid middle ear.

We often see in highly traumatized individuals and in the Autism Spectrum with an inability to hear female voices within a specific tonal range, any ability to make or hold eye contact or to focus on a task for very long. These individuals are constantly too distracted by what their brain and ears are literally fixated on. What if we were able to remove some of the noise pollution or what the brain was subconsciously fixated on listening to and creating a stress response to?

I have witnessed what I would call miraculous shifts in individuals and their symptoms and even some individuals whom there were no noticeable shifts reported. Some individuals experienced their depression and suicidal tendencies immediately subsided after the 5 consecutive sessions and to this day, 18 months after the Safe Sound Protocol (SSP) their suicidal tendencies have not returned. Another client had a total shift in their personality after reporting zero changes up to six weeks of integration. At six weeks something shifted and personality parts were able to merge and be more at ease then ever before in their life. I work for a young boy on the Autisms Spectrum who reports that he sleeps better, is calmer and able to focus longer after each administration of the 5 consecutive days. Individuals report being calmer over all and less irritated by noisy environments or crowded places.

Many clients have repeated The Safe Sound Protocol (SSP) multiple times as it beneficial to help the nervous system and individual to seek constant re-training for the middle ear. It is like peeling back the layers of an artichoke; layer-by-layer it becomes more delicate, responsive and healthier.

When I administer The Safe Sound Protocol (SSP), I highly recommend in person, in a very quiet and safe location and with physical support through Somatic Experiencing touch. On occasion certain songs might trigger a visual memory or a visceral experience. Having an experienced professional to provide support and reassure safety is critical to repair traumatic events or ruptures. I prefer to offer touch support during the entire 1 hour of the sound therapy focusing on regulation and integration. The goal is to listen to the music uninterrupted each day for 1 hour. It is extremely important to not have any activities or workouts or stimulus planned after each session. It is highly recommended to find a quiet environment when you get home to rest and relax and to avoid stimulus for the best results. Avoiding stimulus or suppressants would be highly beneficial during the 5 days. Contra symptoms can arise should one engage in too much stimulus after sessions. Gentle walks are fine but I would avoid workouts and errands, which are in noisy, bright or busy places for best results. Even watching television after a session could be too much. Avoid drinking any alcohol as the more relaxed your middle ear might feel the need to compensate by allocating old management patterns and strategies. These management patterns and strategies can block any changes from occurring or lasting.

5 consecutive days in my office for 90 minutes

Lying on a table fully clothed listening with specific ILS headphone to the Safe and Sound Protocol while Verdell works with your kidneys, brain stem and ankles.

The Safe Sound Protocol (SSP) was researched and developed over years based on the Polyvagal Theory by Dr. Stephen Porges. Dr. Stephen Porges is the Unyte’s Chief Scientific Advisor. I am ever so grateful to Dr. Stephen Porges and his research on Safe Sound Protocol (SSP) and the Polyvagal Theory.