The Science Behind Bone Conduction for Animals

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How sound, structure, and sensory intelligence create well-being

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 At Tomatis-Zooeyia, we adapt core neuroscientific principles from the internationally recognized Tomatis® Method to support animal well-being through Bone Conduction sound stimulation. This gentle, non-invasive approach helps regulate emotional states, attention, posture, and behavioral responses.

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Sound is not just heard. It is processed, felt, and integrated throughout the body, especially in animals with highly sensitive nervous systems. Many species respond deeply to vibrations, rhythm, contrast, and pattern, all of which are essential to the Tomatis® approach.

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 What is Bone Conduction?

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Bone conduction transmits sound through gentle vibrations applied to the bones of the skull, bypassing the outer and middle ear. These vibrations reach the inner ear (cochlea) and the vestibular system directly.

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This allows us to engage auditory and vestibular pathways without causing discomfort or overstimulation, making it ideal for animals experiencing noise sensitivity, trauma, stress, or dysregulation.

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 Gating: Training the Brain to Pay Attention

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A core element of the Tomatis® Method is gating—a sound modulation process that alternates frequencies and intensities to break patterns of passive listening and stimulate brain engagement.

In animals, this supports:

• Heightened sensory awareness

• Improved arousal and emotional regulation

• Disruption of defensive or rigid behaviors

• Activation of curiosity and adaptability

Gating acts as a structured neurological wake-up call, inviting the brain to shift into active engagement with the sensory world.

 

 Salience: Recognizing What Matters

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The brain's salience system helps detect and prioritize important signals—whether external (sound, motion) or internal (bodily sensations, emotions).

In animals, this mechanism:

• Detects meaningful sensory changes

• Integrates emotional and bodily input

• Guides behavioral responses (alert, relax, explore)

Bone Conduction enhances this process by delivering predictably unpredictable stimuli—gentle contrasts that invite attentional shifts and sensory integration.

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 Interoception: Listening from Within

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Interoception is the brain’s way of sensing internal states—hunger, fatigue, pain, and emotional arousal. Though animals don’t express these states verbally, they feel them and react accordingly.

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Auditory–vestibular stimulation via Bone Conduction may support:

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• Awareness of bodily needs and tension

• Reduction of emotional intensity (e.g., anxiety, irritability)

• Improved sleep, digestion, and rest cycles

• Smoother motor coordination and body use

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A more attuned nervous system leads to better behavior, balance, and comfort.

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 Multisensory Integration

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Bone Conduction activates a network of systems:

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• Auditory – for sound processing

• Vestibular – for orientation and motion

• Proprioceptive – for spatial and physical awareness

• Interoceptive – for internal regulation

• Central Nervous System – for global coordination and behavioral output

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This multisensory input supports neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to adapt and reorganize toward healthier, more stable patterns.

 

 Gentle Stimulation. Real Results.

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Each BC Kit session:

• Lasts between 10 and 60 minutes, depending on the animal

• It is delivered via two bone conduction transducers and a soft harness

• Uses gated, filtered music based on the Tomatis® Method

• It is adapted to each animal’s behavior, signals, and comfort level

• Total program: 28 hours, delivered progressively

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 A Complementary Tool in Animal Care

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Bone Conduction is not a replacement for veterinary care or behavior therapy, but a science-based complement that supports animals—particularly those living in demanding or overstimulating environments.

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May benefit animals experiencing:

• Generalized anxiety or emotional sensitivity

• Noise reactivity or trauma history

• Disconnection from the body or posture irregularities

• Difficulty focusing, calming, or interacting socially

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 Sound That Works With the Brain — Not Against It

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The Tomatis-Zooeyia approach uses structure, timing, and meaning to deliver sound through the bones - to the brain, to the nervous system, and to the whole animal.

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We don’t just play music.

We create a space where the nervous system can feel, respond, and reorganize naturally.

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 Interested in how Bone Conduction can support your animal?

We’re here to guide you through the method and its benefits.
Contact us and book a consultation