![]() When the middle ear muscles DO contract properly, the background noise can be dampened, the nervous system is less aroused or waiting to go into fight or flight/freeze mode, and the listener is better able to focus and perceive human speech (higher frequency sounds) properly. Illness, fever, and aging also reduce the function of the middle ear muscles. The middle ear muscles are primarily fast-twitch and they fatigue easily. Patients are often easily startled and sensitive to background noise while having difficulty engaging in conversations, making eye contact, hearing people when there is background noise, or understanding the entire meaning behind certain phrases. When the middle ear muscles are inactive, lower frequency sounds like background noise are perceived much stronger than human voice. Individuals relying on these circuits are more in-tune with lower frequency sounds (like background noise, which historically was needed in order to hear predators) and tend to be programmed to prioritize detecting danger from their environment. The older circuits are associated with the flee (fight or flight) response or the freeze (shut down/collapse/pass out) response. Individuals relying on this newer circuit respond well to human communication and are able to block out background noise to focus. The newer circuit is social and reflects a well-regulated state that supports visceral organ homeostasis, as evidenced by good eye contact, relaxed facial expression, and prosody of voice. In mammals, the neural regulation of the autonomic state is integrated with the neural regulation of muscles involved with listening (middle ear) and vocalizing (larynx, pharynx).įrom an evolutionary perspective, there are 3 neural circuits that form a response hierarchy. The vagus nerve is involved in the neural regulation of the face, head and viscera (organs). The SSP has been shown in peer-reviewed research to significantly increase vagal regulation of the heart – a vital component of ANS regulation. ![]() Just as the brain is plastic and can change based on experience, the ANS is also plastic. These are aspects of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The SSP exercises the neural pathways associated with regulating behavioral state and social engagement. The SSP is an innovative intervention designed to improve an individual’s social communication behaviors by reducing hearing sensitivities and improving the ability to process human speech. Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) Frequently Asked Questions
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