Attention and Auditory Processing: A Sensory-Based Exploration of Focus Judith B. Belk, PhD | CCC-SLP, CCC-A Center for Communication & Learning Skills Hosted by Alex Doman, Founder and CEO Advanced Brain Technologies 📅 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 60 Minutes 🕒 1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT | 11:00 AM MT | 10:00 AM PT 📍 Live on Zoom When focus breaks down, it is often assumed to be an attention problem. But for many individuals, the underlying challenge lies in how the brain processes sound and sensory information. When information comes in faster than the brain can organize it, in too many steps at once, or against a backdrop of noise, the brain works harder just to keep up. As confusion builds, anxiety follows, and staying engaged becomes increasingly difficult. This webinar explores what is happening beneath the surface when focus falters. Drawing on decades of experience as a developmental psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and audiologist, Dr. Judith Belk will help participants understand the often-overlooked role of auditory processing and sound sensitivity in attention, overwhelm, and emotional strain. Rather than approaching attention as a behavior or motivation issue, this session offers a sensory-based framework for understanding why focus can feel fragile and why common strategies do not always work. In this session, you will learn: Why difficulty following multi-step directions can quickly drain attention How background noise and everyday sounds can make it hard to think or stay engaged How specific auditory processing skills affect focus and mental effort Why attention challenges and anxiety so often appear together What kinds of supports help reduce overload and make focus more available Dr. Belk will also discuss how The Listening Program, a neuroscience-based music listening therapy, is used to support auditory processing, emotional balance, and engagement when focus continues to break down despite best efforts. This webinar is designed for parents who watch their child work hard yet become overwhelmed, educators and therapists who notice patterns that go beyond behavior, and adults who have spent years compensating for missed information without clear explanations. If focus and attention feel inconsistent, exhausting, or easily disrupted, this session will offer clarity, insight, and a new way of understanding what truly helps. About our Guest Dr. Judith Belk is the founder of the Center for Communication and Learning Skills in Oswego, OR. She holds credentials in speech-language pathology, audiology, developmental psychology, special education, counseling, and neurofeedback. She has worked in universities, hospitals, clinics, private practice, and schools, and currently works with individuals, families, parent groups, school districts, and community agencies. Dr. Belk is an international speaker and seminar leader, holding certificates of Clinical Competence in both speech-language pathology and audiology. She has served as a department chair of special education and as an adjunct professor in graduate programs, teaching courses in child development, child and adolescent psychology, abnormal psychology, and special education. A seasoned clinician who values multidisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Belk has extensive experience working with individuals with auditory processing disorders, sound sensitivity, learning differences, dyslexia, autism spectrum profiles, brain injury, attention-related challenges, and attachment and adoption concerns. She has been a certified provider of The Listening Program for nearly twenty years and integrates listening-based approaches to support auditory processing, focus, and emotional balance. Clients value her warmth, insight, and sincere commitment to facilitating growth and independence. About Our Host Alex Doman is the founder and CEO of Advanced Brain Technologies and the creator of The Listening Program®, a leading brain-based music program supporting learning, emotional regulation, and cognitive development. He is also a founder of Vital Neuro, a patented, mobile, clinical-grade brain training solution that uses responsive music and neurofeedback to reduce stress, support focus, sleep, and self-regulation. A third-generation pioneer in brain health and neurodevelopment, Alex has more than 30 years of experience helping families and professionals worldwide. He is the bestselling co-author of Healing at the Speed of Sound® and a recognized leader in making neuroscience practical and accessible to everyday life. Save your seat and join us live on Zoom!
