Music — a combination of sounds that produces a beautiful harmony — can move us and spark emotion. Sounds can calm us, make us happy or sad. And many people are tuning into sound therapy as therapeutic treatment to combat anxiety and stress. 

Per the British Academy of Sound Therapy, “sound therapy uses sound, music, and specialist instruments played in therapeutic ways, combined with deep self-reflection techniques, to improve health and wellbeing.” 

No pun intended, but is this therapy really as good as it sounds?

“If we have the tools and remedies like sound wave therapy to soothe our bodies and minds from time to time, we can lead a longer, healthier and more joyful life, no matter what outside influences there are to offset our inner balance,” shares Heather Reck, Energy Ambassador and Wellness Coordinator at the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui (4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., Maui, 808-875-4100, fairmont.com/kea-lani-maui).

Per Reck, awareness is key. While we’re constantly surrounded by noises — computers humming, air conditioners buzzing, cars honking — few of us take time to really stop and listen to calming, natural sounds: running streams, birds, rustling leaves, or Hawaiian waves rolling into shore. This is where sound therapy strikes a chord. 

 “Sound Healing and crystal singing bowls wake up our ability to listen and truly hear. We not only hear with our ears, but feel the vibration of sound through our bodies,” Reck shares. 

And Reck isn’t the only person in the islands trumpeting the benefits of sound therapy, offering guests and kamaaina the opportunity to experience it for themselves. 

Just ask Dr. Jurgen Klein — naturopath, biochemist, alchemist, inventor, author, skin care expert, and spiritualist, among other things — and Karin, his wife, who are somewhat of sound therapy experts themselves. 

“It is scientifically proven that sound therapy eases the nervous system and has a deep impact on all body and organ functions, easing stress on your body and mind.” Per the Kleins, the reason why sound wave therapy is so powerful is that “everything in our universe is information and energy vibrating at specific frequencies.” Specially selected sounds (music and/or voice-meditation) creates healthy brain functioning … a.k.a., a healing vibration.)

You can hear and feel the results for yourself at the Sullivan Estate and JK7® SPA Retreat (59-338 Wilinau Road, Haleiwa, 808-638-7020, sullivanestate.com) on O‘ahu’s North Shore, where sound therapy is integrated into the JK7® SPA Sensator.

“In this holistic treatment, we combine sound with weightless floating in Dead Sea salt water, natural aromas, and colors. With this joyful therapy, we can cover many aspects of healing,” the Kleins insist. (You’ll find more tips about sound therapy in Unearthing Nature’s Secrets and The JK7-Antistress Spa Sensator by Dr. Jurgen Klein). 

If you’re unable to head to the North Shore for a spa day at Sullivan or head to Maui for one of Fairmont Kea Lani’s sound baths, then you’re in luck: new sound therapy tools are hitting the market that enable you to chime in right at home. 

The first generation of Bose Sleepbuds’ reviews (bose.com) were loud and clear, so Bose launched the next generation: Bose Sleepbuds II. The upgraded version is still lightweight and tiny, and will feature the same type of battery used in hearing aids for incredible longwear, heightened connectivity and reliability — and no more night squeaking.

 And there are two other products for which you can get on the waitlist, which may even be available by the time this story publishes: The Opus SoundBed (feelopus.com) is one of them. This full surround “sound bed” touts immersive sound healing with a connected app that enables you to set your Zen intention. Stowable, portable and stylish, you can roll this out in any space, and expert sound artists guide you to your desired emotional state … So head online to reserve before they all run out!

 The second is Resonate (weresonate.com), which touts a modern meditation method using the combination of vibration, light and sound. The Resonate system will come with a chair and matching ottoman, light bases, headphones and a free, six-month subscription to the wellness program. Studies have proven that a 20-minute Resonate session reduces stress and anxiety by 51%: stats that sound like success.