Auditory BLS With Wireless Headphones

Table of Contents

This information is only relevant if you want to use auditory bilateral stimulation (BLS) with a client AND you or your client will be using wireless headphones.

We work hard to make sure the Bilateral Base platform is compatible with whatever device you and your clients have available (and Bilateral Base supports the widest range of devices compared to other EMDR platforms).

Wireless headphones are becoming increasingly popular and we see a small but growing number of clients and therapists who want to use them during Bilateral Base online sessions.

In general we recommend that you and your clients use wired headphones for your sessions as they tend to be more reliable. However we recognise that wireless headphones may be preferred or they may be the only option available so we have made sure they can be used in most scenarios.

If you are NOT planning to use auditory BLS then wireless headphones can be used by you or your clients without issue on PC/Mac.

If you are planning to use auditory BLS and you or your client will be using wireless headphones then there are a few things to know.

Your client will be using wireless headphones with a PC/Mac (and auditory BLS is required) #

  • Information about this is included in the ‘Preparing For Your Session’ guide for clients
  • Some brands of wireless will work fine with auditory BLS on PC/Mac
  • However with many pairs, your client will hear the auditory BLS in both ears at the same time instead of in the correct alternating pattern
  • Your client must select to use a different microphone to the one that is built into their wireless headphones (either an external mic or the mic built into their PC/Mac)
  • Making this change should allow auditory BLS to be heard correctly by your client

Your client will be using wireless headphones with an Apple iPad/iPhone (and auditory BLS is required) #

Your client will be using wireless headphones with an Android tablet/phone (and auditory BLS is required) #

 

You (the therapist) will be using wireless headphones #

  • You don’t need to do anything different to usual.
  • The only thing you need to be aware of is that you will hear auditory BLS out of both ears at the same time instead of in an alternating pattern to your left and then right ears
  • Your client will still be hearing it in an alternating pattern to your left and then right ears (on a compatible device) and that’s what’s important for auditory BLS to be administered correctly
  • Tip – if you do want to hear auditory BLS in an alternating pattern AND your are using PC/Mac
    • Select to use a different microphone to the one that is built into your wireless headphones (either an external mic or the mic built into your PC/Mac)
    • Making this change should allow you to hear auditory BLS in an alternating pattern
  • Tip – you can choose not to hear the auditory BLS by selecting ‘Client Only’ in the ‘BLS Settings’ menu

 

Please note – we continue to work hard to ensure that the Bilateral Base platform ‘just works’ on any device/setup that you or your clients may have and we already offer the widest support of any online EMDR platform. With technology evolving quickly and with the petitions and pressure we are putting on the device manufacturers to address any special cases or compatibility issues, we are hopeful that at some point we no longer need to have any exceptions or special cases. These special cases are not unique to Bilateral Base and affect other online therapy platforms also (although they may not always provide clear information on them). Please also note that the goal posts for these issues do sometimes move as new products are released and software for Apple/Android is updated, so while we make every effort to keep this information correct and up to date, if you do experience something that is different to what we have described, then please contact us so we can assist you.

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