About Susann

“Music is healing.” Many people who read this sentence will nod in agreement. While music certainly cannot do everything, sounds have an enormous influence on our mood, our subconscious, and our sensory experiences. It is therefore no surprise that music therapy has become a central medical element in alleviating a wide range of conditions.
This belief is embodied, for example, by PD Dr. Susann Kobus, a music therapist with heart and soul. As a young woman, she devoted herself to music, graduating from a music-focused secondary school and studying piano in Dresden and Cologne with the goal of becoming a concert pianist. Alongside her studies, she began teaching piano at an early stage and frequently worked with children and adolescents, noticing how clearly the “encounter with music” benefited them.
She also worked musically with people with physical disabilities, which ultimately led her to study music therapy in Münster. During this time, Susann became acquainted with music therapy for premature infants and found this form of treatment deeply fascinating. She describes the tiny signals emitted by babies when a sound begins as touching and unique.
Ten years ago, Susann began her work in the pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit at the University Hospital in Essen. It was there that she also began conducting studies demonstrating that music has measurable healing effects. Among other instruments, Susann particularly favors the Hokema Sansula for her treatments. Not only is it compact and easy to handle, but its unique sound creates an atmosphere for the children that is difficult to describe in words.

The Study

The Sansula is known for its enveloping sound, combined with pleasant vibrations produced by its resonance membrane. These tones come remarkably close to the auditory experience of the “safe space” of the womb.
At the University Hospital in Essen, Susann’s work quickly gained recognition. Enthusiastic parents of treated children, as well as colleagues, increasingly approached her requesting appointments. It soon became clear that the effect of the Sansula on premature infants in the intensive care unit should be scientifically validated, as the results were simply so fascinating.
For example, studies were conducted with extremely premature infants born before the completion of the 32nd week of pregnancy. Immediately after birth until discharge from hospital, the children received live music therapy with the Sansula. The positive effects were immediately visible: there were significant improvements in vital parameters. Heart rate and respiratory rate decreased during music therapy sessions, while oxygen saturation increased—even during sleep.

You can find the studies at >here<

 
A Few Questions for You, Susann…

• a. Hearing is considered the first developed sense. Is that correct? How and when did the idea arise to use music therapy with premature babies?
  

Yes, that is correct. One can imagine that all sounds in the womb are perceived in a very muffled way—more like sound waves. The baby can hear the mother’s heartbeat, along with a comforting whooshing sound, digestive noises, and later also sounds from outside. The amniotic fluid dampens all sound and initially creates a kind of vibration.
The Sansula produces a similar effect through its resonance membrane. The tones are accompanied by vibrations that can even be perceived throughout the room. This reminder of the protected womb environment appears to have a positive effect on babies, as heart rate and breathing demonstrably regulate while the instrument is played very gently for them.

• b. How did you come to use the Sansula? How did you become aware of it?

I had already been using various instruments such as kalimbas, the monochord, and an ocean drum in music therapy on the neonatal and pediatric ward. However, many instruments are bulky and impractical. When I discovered the Sansula and its beautiful sound, it quickly became clear that it was the perfect instrument for my work.
It is compact and works true wonders. Sitting beside a baby and playing it simply feels much more appropriate in terms of size and proportion. And as mentioned, the effect of its sound is unparalleled. I have now been using it in my work for ten years.

• c. Would you consider the Sansula the most widely used instrument in music therapy?

There are many colleagues and students who are very interested in my work and equally fascinated by the impact of the Sansula on our young patients. As a result, its use is spreading widely. Unfortunately, music therapy is still not covered by health insurance. We continue to rely on donations and financial support, for example through the Foundation for University Medicine Essen.
However, the more public awareness we generate, the clearer it becomes that our work has an incredible effect on patients—whether in obstetrics, neurology, or neonatology. Ultimately, it also relieves hospitals when patients can be discharged sooner with peace of mind or experience comforting, positive moments during their stay.
The Sansula has certainly become one of the most important instruments in this field. Its ease of use—requiring no prior knowledge and producing immediate effects—is unique and extremely practical. It is easy to transport and suitable for use on the go. I also enjoy using it privately outside of work, for example with my own children.

• d. Is it true that using the instrument during sleep helps create an atmosphere similar to that of the womb?
  

As mentioned, the vibration generated by the resonance membrane creates an atmosphere somewhat reminiscent of the womb. If we consider the soundscape to which a premature infant in intensive care is exposed, we can imagine how soothing a beautiful tone must be.
When I work with my students at the university hospital, they quickly notice how loud the devices around the incubators and beds actually are. The children constantly hear the beeping and humming of medical equipment. We cannot turn these off, of course. But by playing the Sansula, something beautiful is added. The children hear a pleasant tone combined with gentle vibrations that they demonstrably perceive. Our study evaluations showed that the children’s vital signs improved significantly and that they fell asleep more quickly.

• e. When used during pregnancy, what should be considered? Can parents continue using the instrument after leaving the hospital, and how does it affect parent-child bonding?
  

It is undeniable that the Sansula is an investment for the whole family, including for the future. During pregnancy, its sound can allow the baby in the womb to experience beautiful tones and relax. However, one should avoid placing it directly on the abdomen while playing. The vibrations transmitted through the amniotic fluid can be very intense and may have the opposite, even negative, effect. Played at a slight distance, it is a wonderful way to do something good for the baby in the womb.
Once the child is born, it is excellent for calming and regulating breathing and heart rate. Even completely healthy children love its sound and enjoy relaxing to it. I have often seen older children who remain fascinated by it and eventually begin playing it themselves. Parents have sent me deeply touching photos of children playing the Sansula—children whom I once accompanied musically in the neonatal intensive care unit.

• f. What is the most astonishing effect you have observed?
  

Once, I treated twins who were both blind and deaf from birth. The babies stayed on our ward for months, and I repeatedly played for them, even though I knew they likely could not hear me. But we must not forget the vibrations produced by the Sansula.
One day, as I played for one of the twins and held the instrument slightly above his crib, the previously motionless arm of the child moved directly beneath where I struck the tone. Moments like that are incredibly touching and unforgettable. Just because certain senses may not function does not mean the whole person does not function. To this day, I do not know what the child felt. But there was clearly a reaction. For that alone, all the hard work is worthwhile.
 
“Even the smallest song can brighten much darkness.”
— Francis of Assisi