Safe Sound Protocol

SSP what is it?   

The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges using the principles of Polyvagal Theory. It was designed to reduce sound sensitivities, improve auditory processing, enhance physiologic state regulation, and increase social engagement behaviors by listening to specifically modulated music.

 

When the nervous system is in a chronic state of defense, it is hard to access social engagement, clear thinking, openness to new ideas, and the possibility of growth.

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Watch Dr. Rinde lecture on PolyVagal Theory

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Why SSP works:

• SSP fosters the nervous system's retuning, which is called Neuroplasticity. The brain has the ability to change. For this to happen, the autonomic nervous system needs to be stimulated repeatedly through neural feedback loops. When that takes place, myelin (nerve fibers) becomes more efficient, and the nervous system becomes more flexible.

• SSP stimulates the part of the nervous system called the ventral vagal branch of the Vagus nerve, which is responsible for safety and connection. Getting into a ventral vagal state leads to greater availability and openness.

• The ventral vagal complex is also known as the social engagement system. This system is made up of the facial nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, accessory nerve, trigeminal nerve, and Vagus nerve. The social engagement system regulates voice, facial expression, breathing, and heart regulation. We can access the social engagement system through the auditory system.

• SSP fosters co-regulation, and safety and connection are bidirectional between client and provider. This is a key feature of the SSP process. 

•  Low frequencies, like thunder, trigger a state of defense, whereas high frequencies, like an alarm, can signal danger. Middle frequencies, which are melodic, foster safety and connection. The ssp uses the power of sound frequency to balance the nervous system.

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How does it work?

​Based on years of research by Dr. Stephen Porges and his Polyvagal Theory, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a five-hour therapeutic listening intervention designed to support the client's emotional regulation and Neuroception (i.e., sense of one's safety) and decrease the client's auditory sensitivity.

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The music stimulates the vagus nerve, which calms the nervous system. This allows for enhanced social engagement and resilience in children and adults. SSP aims to create new, positive connections in the brain that allow the client to regulate themselves by "stretching the nervous system, not stressing the nervous system."

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The Anatomy of listening: 

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 The eardrum or tympanic membrane, middle ear muscles and bones, cochlea, brainstem, and auditory cortex are all components of the listening process. When the muscles (stapedius, etc.) of the middle ear contract, they tighten the eardrum; this process is called the middle-ear transfer function. 

 

This is a key mechanism of auditory processing. It dampens loud sounds and low-frequency sounds so that the human voice can be heard. When the stapedius muscle is inactive, it does not dampen low-frequency sounds, but when it is active, it can. The muscles of the middle ear have interconnections via several cranial nerves.

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1. The stapedius muscle is innervated by the facial nerve VII

2. The tensor tympani is innervated by the trigeminal nerve (V)

3. Cranial nerve V, X, and 1X convey sensations from the tympanic membrane. 
    

When auditory cues are received by the tympanic membrane, the Vagus nerve regulates breathing and heart rate to maintain a calm physiologic state. Poor functioning of the middle ear muscle can be attributed to repeated ear infections/chronic otitis media, low tone in the hypotonicity of other muscles (low muscle tone is common in autism), and trauma of the chronic state of defense (PTSD).

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Other ways SSP might work:

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• Molecular influences from neuropeptides such as oxytocin or vasopressin

• Hormone influence (such as cortisol)

• Effects of neurotransmitters

• Brain wave changes

• Gut microbiome changes

• Brainstem function changes

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Who will Benefit from SSP?

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The Safe and Sound Protocol can be very helpful for children and adults who are going through life transitions, such as changing careers or starting a new school. SSP is great for emotional regulation and calming the nervous system, and can help you feel a greater sense of safety within yourself and the world.

Dr. Porges first began using the SSP with children with autism and it resulted in some incredible changes.

Please also see precautions and contraindications for the SSP.

 

Throughout the years, SSP has been proven to help individuals with:

• Auditory sensitivity

• Functional Gut Disorders (IBS, SIBO, GERD)

• Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD)

• Anxiety disorders

• Attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD),

• Depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

• Relationship difficulties

• Social anxiety

• Separation anxiety

• Anger

• Reading comprehension issues

• Sleep problems 

• It continues to be helpful for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

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