Episode 7: Using Sound to Improve Learning and Reduce Stress – Alex Doman

In this episode:

Can sound really help your child learn better and feel calmer?

Yes—when used intentionally, the right music can rewire the brain to improve learning, focus, and emotional regulation. It’s not magic. It’s neuroscience.

In this episode of LD Expert Live, Jill Stowell is joined by Alex Doman, the creator of The Listening Program® (TLP), a music-based auditory therapy used by thousands of families and professionals worldwide.

With decades of data and brain research under his belt, Alex explains how specific sound frequencies and tempos can strengthen auditory processing, support emotional resilience, and reduce stress—especially for kids with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), ADHD, or learning challenges.

Jill shares how her own family used upbeat music like “Don’t Worry Be Happy” in the mornings to lift everyone’s mood—something we now know is backed by science. When used strategically, music can become a powerful tool to energize the brain, support regulation, and improve daily functioning.

 

What you'll learn in this episode:

• How sound frequencies influence brain function, emotions, and learning readiness

• Why music-based therapy can help improve focus, mood, memory, and sleep

• The role of sound therapy in strengthening auditory processing—especially for students with learning challenges like APD or ADHD

• How programs like The Listening Program are used at home and in schools to create lasting neurological change

 

Episode highlight:

“We need periods of quiet. We also need space from sound, space from music…”

– Alex Doman

In this episode, Alex explains why today’s nonstop sensory input is overloading our brains—and how the right sound at the right time (paired with intentional quiet) can help reset the nervous system, improve stress resilience, and support deeper learning.

Resources:

• The Listening Program – A therapeutic listening program developed by Alex Doman, used at Stowell Learning Centers to strengthen auditory and sensory processing.
• Advanced Brain Technologies – The parent company behind TLP and other neuroscience-based sound programs that support brain health, learning, and stress relief.
• Advanced Brain Podcast – Conversations and insights on music, brain performance, and neurotechnology with Alex Doman.
• Brains Need Breaks – Jill Stowell’s blog post with brain-friendly movement breaks that support focus, learning, and calm.
• What is Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)? – Learn how APD affects learning and behavior, and why sound therapy is a powerful tool for change.
• At Wit's End

Chapter 10 – Auditory Processing
This chapter provides a foundational explanation of why poor listening skills often underlie learning and behavioral challenges. It includes:

• • • Symptoms of auditory processing issues such as mispronunciations, poor social skills, and trouble with reading and organization.

    • The concept that poor auditory input can mask as attention issues or learning disabilities.

    • A detailed explanation of how auditory processing supports all areas of learning and functioning.

Chapter 16 – Auditory Stimulation and Training
This chapter explores how sound therapy (like TLP) retrains the brain to listen and process sound more accurately. It includes:

• • • The science behind auditory training programs like The Listening Program.

    • Real-world student progress examples showing improvements in speech, language, attention, and academic skills.

    • Discussion on how these programs support the entire learning skills continuum—helping the brain become more efficient overall.

• Take the Stone Out of the Shoe

Chapter 8 – Smart but Struggling
Includes a list of foundational processing skills—including auditory and visual processing—that are often weak in struggling students, even when intelligence is high.

Chapter 18 – Music-Based Auditory Training
A rich dive into sound frequencies, entrainment, and how programs like TLP and inTime affect the brain:

• • • How different sound frequencies target different brain functions.

    • The neurological science behind sound therapy and how it supports learning, communication, and emotional regulation.

    • Overview of TLP and related programs including SSP and iLs.

Chapter 19 – Auditory Stimulation and Training (AST)
Builds on the previous chapter with specifics about Stowell Learning Center's proprietary AST approach:

• • • Details on how AST targets reading, spelling, comprehension, and language.

    • How it supports the auditory feedback loop and strengthens brain pathways needed for effective learning.

    • Discussion of right-ear/left-brain stimulation for language development.

 

 

Bonus Q&A:

How can music influence behavior and brain neuroplasticity?

The short answer is that music, when used in a prescriptive way, can train our brains to better process the different frequencies in sound. Different frequencies can reset our nervous system so we can rest, recover and re-energize. 

 

Other questions:

• Can sound therapy help with brain injuries or PTSD?
• Can listening programs help sleep issues in a child with ADHD?

Tune into the Bonus Q&A below.