Using SleepPhones® Sleep Headphones For Sound Healing

What Is Sound Healing Therapy?

a practitioner using singing bowls to create healing sounds

Sound therapy is an overarching term that refers to sensory treatments that use music and sound as therapeutic tools. Traditional sound therapy often includes instruments such as singing/sound bowls, gongs, chimes, and a relaxing voice.

However, depending on the goal of the listener and the practitioner, modern sound healing therapy may include a variety of sounds including:

Atmospheric nature soundscapes, such as the steady rhythm of rainfall or the ebb and flow of ocean waves, to reconnect the listener with restorative natural elements.
Steady-state color noise - including white, pink, or brown noise—to create a seamless, non-intrusive shield against environmental distractions.
Binaural beats and Solfeggio frequencies, which leverage brainwave entrainment to guide the mind into states of deep relaxation or focused clarity.
Resonant acoustic vibrations from singing bowls, gongs, or chimes, which provide rhythmic, grounding auditory patterns.
Guided auditory meditations, which use vocal cues and breathwork to lead the listener through progressive relaxation.

History of Sound Therapy

Some researchers believe sound healing can be traced back over 40,000 years to aboriginal tribes in Australia and others point its origins to ancient Tibet.i

A quick aside: As of recently, there has emerged some interesting evidence that points to the fact that the “Tibetan singing bowl,” which is almost synonymous with sound healing, doesn’t actually have ancient Tibetan roots at all. In fact, the earliest recorded association with Tibet and the singing bowl was in the 1970s.

However, this is not to say that Tibet doesn’t have a rich musical culture, but the healing instruments that scholars have recorded over the years are more in line with bells and chimes, rather than bowls. In ancient Japan, bow-shaped instruments called “rin singing bowls” are known to have been used in ancient healing rituals.

Many cultures believe in music's healing abilities. Chanting, drumming, and singing are key elements of Native American and African healing ceremonies. The Peruvian Wacheripi tribe uses unique songs for different afflictions such as snake bites, headaches, and fevers. Grecians appealed to the gods through music to end conflicts and plagues.

While music has ancient roots, the formal study of music’s impacts on health only dates back to the 19th century. In the 1880s, a Parisian researcher named Diogel set out to discover whether or not patients who listened to live musicians could glean any health benefits. His findings showed that music could lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, and calm the nervous system.

But as we gained more knowledge of disease prevention, invented better medical tools, and discovered vaccines, the scientific discoveries of the post-industrial revolution pushed music aided-healing aside. However, as more is known as to the potential side effects of sleep medications, people are finding themselves returning to more holistic treatments and therapies. With today’s advances in headphone technology and science-driven sleep sounds, it’s easier than ever to explore the power of sound healing and music therapy.

Is Sound Healing Scientifically Proven?

While sound healing is an ancient practice with roots in many cultures, any rigorous scientific investigation of it is relatively recent. So while many are curious as to whether it is 'scientifically proven,' a definitive 'yes' or 'no' answer is not yet available. However, emerging research, focusing less on mystical vibrations and more about measurable physiological responses to auditory stimuli, is beginning to uncover the ways specific sounds can impact our brains and bodies. One fascinating discovery is brainwave entrainment, which is the ability of sound frequencies to influence our brainwave activity. Low frequencies and rhythmic sounds, such as chanting or certain musical patterns, are thought to stimulate the vagus nerve, a major pathway connected to our "rest and digest" response, potentially reducing heart rate and promoting calmness. Studies have also demonstrated sound's ability to modulate activity in the amygdala, the brain's fear center, reducing feelings of anxiety and stress.

Though promising and enlightening, it is important to remember that this research is ongoing and complex. While the placebo effect can undoubtedly play a role in any wellness practice, the physiological effects observed - changes in brainwaves, nervous system activity, and hormone levels - suggest that sound can be a powerful tool for supporting overall wellbeing when used thoughtfully and in conjunction with other healthy habits. It is also important to note that sound healing isn't a cure-all and individual responses will vary. We believe in embracing both the wisdom of ancient practices and the power of modern science to understand how sound can truly enhance our lives.

The Precision of Perception: Why Hardware Matters for Healing

There is a huge difference between just listening to music and using sound as a precise therapeutic tool. When you're using specific frequencies for healing, accuracy isn't optional; it's crucial. If your headphones can't transmit the deep, low end notes of something like a singing bowl or if the stereo separation isn't good enough to keep the left and right channels distinct, you won't actually get any therapeutic benefit. It's almost like watching a 4K movie on an old black and white TV. You may get the gist of the story, but you'll miss all the nuance. I always tell people that your headphones are effectively the delivery system for your therapy.

How Does Sound Therapy Work?

Listening to pleasing music and sounds can release dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters that are important for mood regulation, focus, and of course, sleep. There is also another school of thought that points to a phenomenon called brainwave entrainment.

Brainwave entrainment, also referred to as brainwave synchronization, is a method of stimulating the brain with sound (light and electromagnets can also be used). The goal behind entrainment/synchronization is to align one’s brain waves with brain-state frequencies associated with relaxation, happiness, and sleep.

A Note on Sensory Comfort and the Nervous System

If you've ever tried to sleep with earbuds in, you know the constant pressure in your ear canal is a huge distraction. It's hard to drift off when you're constantly adjusting something poking and irritating your eardrum. SleepPhones® headphones are different though. Because we use a soft, comfortable headband, sound is delivered via air-conduction and not by direct pressure on your ear canal. This results in a gentler, more tactile experience that helps your nervous system actually settle down rather than making you hyper-aware of hard plastic in your ear.

Reported Effects of Sound Healing

New-age claims of sound healing’s effect on the body’s "energy" don't quite hold up to peer review, although science has highlighted a variety of benefits that are research-based. For instance, a recent study published in PLoS One found that subjects who listened to relaxing music before a stress test not only performed better, but also recovered faster than those who listened to sounds of “rippling water” and those with no acoustic stimulation.

Another 2016 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine suggested that sound meditation by way of a singing bowl can profoundly reduce tension, anger, anxiety, and depression, while also boosting feelings of spiritual-well being.

While more research is still needed to determine the exact mechanisms behind sound therapy, those who use it report:

Reduced tension
Reduced anxiety
Improved sleep quality
Improved memory
Reduced pain
Lowered blood pressure
Improved blood circulation
Reduced depression

How to Try Sound Healing for Yourself

Listening to music and healing sounds can help you address issues that impact your quality of life, such as anxiety, insomnia, and pain. Try incorporating it into your routine by:

Finding sounds that help you relax. Consider trying out the AcousticSheep Harmony Project, which algorithmically finds the right sounds and tunes for you.
Using a pair of headphones that are designed to be slept in. Earbuds and bulky over-the-ear headphones are uncomfortable to wear to bed.
Tune out distractions. Music and healing sounds can drown out intrusive noises that interfere with your sleep. However, we recommend turning off smartphone notifications while trying to fall asleep.

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Choosing the Right Tool for Your Practice

The gear you choose should really depend on what you are trying to achieve:

Binaural Beats and Brainwave Entrainment: You need precision. If the left and right channels aren't perfectly separated, your brain won't perceive that "third" brainwave frequency. You'll want to ensure your connection is rock solid to keep those channels distinct.
ASMR & Detailed Soundscapes: It's all about the fine details. You need headphones that can relay those tiny, high-frequency sounds, such as a whisper or soft rustle, without turning them into digital static.
Deep Sleep & Anxiety Relief: Comfort becomes a technical spec. If you're listening to sounds for several hours, the physical feel of the gear becomes just as important as the sound itself. You want something that feels more like pyjamas for your ears and less like technology.

Sounds That Heal

For millennia, music and sound have been used across different cultures for healing. That impact remains as relevant today as it was then. If you’re ready to try sound therapy for yourself, consider using the world’s most comfortable headphone for sleeping, SleepPhones® headphones.