FAQ

Q:  Can We Really Change Brain Function?

A:  Yes, the ability of the brain to change or to adapt is called neuroplasticity.  One consequence of brain plasticity is that the location of a given function can move to another location in the brain as a consequence of training or brain damage.  Young brains and neural pathways are more flexible, more resilient, more adaptive and more responsive to change – they are more “plastic”.  Our brains and neural pathways are gradually shaped and defined during the first two decades of life and are basically completed by the early twenties.  Consequently, the systems that process sensory information like sound, sight and movement are much easier to normalize in children.  Sensory re-training becomes progressively more difficult in later adulthood, because plasticity diminishes with age.  However, it is never too late, because we know the brain always retains some plasticity.


Q:  What is “Treated” music?
 
A:  Through extensive study, Dr. Tomatis established that the music of Mozart was among the most beneficial for mental alertness and physical relaxation.  This conclusion was reached after studying the effects of many different types of music including other classical composers, modern, African, and Asian music.  He also found Mozart’s music to be universally accepted by people of all nations and backgrounds.  Because of the wealth of string instruments in much of Mozart’s music, his compositions lend themselves well to the audio processing (especially higher frequency filtration) for listening therapy.

Gregorian Chant is used during listening therapy for its calming low frequencies.  Given that the rhythm of the music is sung on the breath, rather than counted out in a fixed meter, Chant has the effect of calming heart rate and respiration, thereby bringing about a relaxing effect.  The music includes a number of very rhythmic Strauss waltzes in the music selections for their effectiveness in resonating with the body (created by the strong rhythm of the “one, two, three”).  The waltzes are presented as either full spectrum or filtered music to the sensory integration bandwidth music selection.

The selected music is processed in the iLs sound studio through a highly sophisticated audio software device and later through audio software using combinations of parametric equalizers and filters (high-pass, low-pass and band-pass).  Using a variety of filters allows iLs to crate a library of music where certain frequencies are removed, while other frequencies are left in to enhance the listening and perception of those frequencies.

Additionally, a complicated process of “gating” is achieved by boosting low frequencies and cutting the high frequencies on one channel, while doing the opposite in a second channel, namely cutting the low frequencies and boosting the high frequencies.  A threshold is then set for each setting for each piece of music to trigger the switching from one channel to another, called gating (note:  this is a different use of the term than that commonly used by audio engineers).  This gating mechanism strengthens and trains the muscles of the inner ear, enabling the ear to perceive the sounds of the entire audible spectrum more accurately.