How iLs Works
Integrated Listening uses electronically modified or "treated" music to re-train the brain and auditory pathways to improve the processing of sensory input. During the initial receptive portion of the program, clients listen to music that has been filtered and gated through customized headphones delivering both air and bone conduction. The final sessions of the program combine listening with expressive work using a microphone to enhance voice quality and solidify the effects of the receptive program. The Listening Therapy program also includes simultaneous visual, balance, and sensory integrative activities to rapidly and efficiently train the brain to efficiently process multi-sensory input.
Psychoacoustic Techniques
The key processing methods employed by iLs originate with those psychoacoustic techniques developed by Tomatis. iLs has developed patent-pending filtration methods to improve overall sound quality and transition within listening sessions. These safe techniques have been tested over many years of application to children and adults.
Bone Conduction: Most of us are not aware of it, but we hear sounds in 2 ways- through air and bone conduction. The "flat or empty" sensation of hearing our own voice on a recording is because we only hear the air conducted sound of our voice in the recording. When we speak, we hear our voice through both air and bone conduction, which travels up our spine to the skull.
Frequency Filtration: Based partly on the theory that those who can hear more of the auditory spectrum have an advantage in learning, iLs programs employ gradually increasing filtration levels. By filtering, or letting only certain frequencies through, we are able to selectively train parts of the auditory spectrum. This allows us to deliver improvements in a range of auditory skills which underpin and facilitate learning: pitch discrimination, sound decoding, and auditory memory.
Gating: The muscles of the middle ear have as one of their functions the job of screening out unwanted sounds. iLs gating separates music into 2 channels, alternating (or "gating" them), with one channel boosting high frequencies and the other channel boosting low frequencies as the music volume increases and decreases. This causes the muscles in the middle ear to continuously tighten and relax, a process that strengthens them. As the muscles become stronger they are better able to protect our ears from damaging sounds and to screen out unwanted sounds. This improves the ability to focus and pay attention to meaningful sounds. As the gating occurs, the music may appear to rock from ear to ear.
For more detailed information about the mechanics of auditory processing, please click on "Key Concepts" at the top left of this page.
Dr. Alfred Tomatis (1919-2001) was the pioneer who first discovered the link between the ear and the voice. He was a highly regarded ENT doctor (ear, nose and throat specialist) in France, whose discoveries are the basis for all auditory training programs. Dr. Ron Minson studied and worked directly with Dr. Tomatis, resulting in Dr. Minson's development of Integrated Listening Systems in the United States.
Dr. Tomatis' research led to the discovery of these important core principals, leading to the use of treated music for therapeutic intervention:
• The voice only contains that which the ear can hear. If your ears can’t perceive it, you won’t be able to speak it.
•
The ear is like a battery to the brain, with a primary function of
converting sound waves to electrical pulses to charge the cortex of the
brain; this is particularly true of higher frequencies which have an
energizing effect on the nervous system. Sound is actually a nutrient
for the brain.
• Hearing is the passive ability to perceive a sound at normal thresholds; Listening
is an active and conscious process requiring the ability to tune out
distractions and irrelevant sounds. Listening is an active, motivated,
focusing process.
•
The quality of one’s listening affects spoken and written language
development, alertness, creativity and the ability to focus. Listening
also influences communication and shapes social skills, confidence and
self-image.
- Communication begins in utero. The unborn child hears from the 4th month after conception. Sound literally plays a role in the development of the brain and nervous system during fetal development.
For further information regarding specific diagnoses and the beneficial effects of Tomatis-based listening therapy, please visit: