FAQ – EN

Does the Listening Program Work?

    The Toronto Listening Center studied the results of the program on 400 children and adolescents. They all had well-documented histories of learning problems, as well as a pattern of under-achievement on psycho-educational tests. The results of the study of the treatment were graded by parents on a percentage point scale. In this test, 95% of the parents responded that the program had helped their children. Here are the areas they saw improvement in:

    • Communication: 89%
    • Attention Span 86%
    • Frustration Level 80%
    • Reading Comprehension 85%
    • Quality of Speech 74%
    • Memory 73%
    • Spelling 69%

    In the follow-up assessment six months after the program ended, 83% of the children (according to the parents) had maintained the improvements and/or had continued to make further gains. An additional 145 of the original 400 had maintained some of the gains. Only 3% maintained none of the improvements.

    What is the average length of the program?

    Programs are tailored to meet the personal needs of each client. The length depends on two factors:

    • the nature, length and severity of the problem
    • the response of the client to the program. 

    Some clients respond more quickly than others. As much as possible, we try to give an accurate estimate for the duration of the program before starting. Keeping this in mind, an average program consists of three blocks and approximately 64 hours in total. However, some clients may need additional blocks.

    What is the reason for the breaks between the different phases of the program?

    If we were machines, we could take the program without interruption. But as human beings, we need periods of integration. Those so-called periods of rest are important. Parents often observe signs of obvious changes during those periods, as the child starts to process information in a more integrated and natural way.

    How is progress assessed?

    A listening test is performed for every phases of the program to track progress. This test is followed by a short interview or counseling session (if needed) to summarize what has been achieved and to explore reactions, thoughts and feelings of the client. We always ask clients to let us know when the experience reactions that may result from the program. The test results and the feedback are very important because they may lead to changes and furthering tailoring to the program.

    We also encourage parents (or adult clients) to chart their children’s progress by keeping a journal or writing a short report to summarize their observations during each period of the program. We have adults who keep a diary throughout the program, which deepens and intensifies their therapeutic process.

    What do we do during the daily two hour sessions?

    During the passive phase, children draw, paint, play games, do exercises that increase their sensory awareness or that improve their balance and coordination. Adults draw, work on a puzzle, meditate, rest, sometimes fall asleep as they start to relax more deeply. Art work is a great adjunct to the program: music, indeed, brings often a lot of mental images that, once projected on the paper, can bring about new ideas, associations, feelings that speed up the process, and expand awareness.

    The emphasis is not on the outcome (a good or bad drawing) but on the process itself. We ask adult clients to do two drawings a day and to keep them in a file since they often provide us with important information to adjust the program. That is because often the same themes appear, as if the unconscious of all of us contains the same archetypal images that are released by music and sounds being played during the sessions.

    During the active phase, children and adults still do some of the same kinds of activities, but they are also involved in doing vocal exercises as well.

    Does the program work well in association with other therapies?

    Yes. It works well in conjunction with occupational therapy, sensory integration and speech therapy. They are all complementary. In our experience, the program speeds up the other therapies. In case of emotional problems, psychotherapy may be of help.

    I have a hearing loss. Can the listening program help me?

    No. We do not treat hearing loss or deafness. This is the domain of the audiologists. Actually, we refer hearing impaired clients to them. Our role is very different.

    Which music do you play during the sessions?

    We play Mozart, Gregorian Chant and a recording to the mother’s voice, when available or suitable. Dr. Tomatis, the founder of this therapy, investigated many forms of music. He found that Mozart was universally accepted and had the best therapeutic results. However, the music is filtered and does not sound exactly like the music you play on your player.

    We also use Gregorian Chant because its rhythm is the same as that of our heartbeat, or breath when we are very relaxed. It has a very calming effect on people who are anxious or hyperactive. In addition, its vowels are elongated, leaving enough time to perceive them clearly. As a result, it helps children with auditory processing difficulties or speech problems to improve their speech.

    What is the difference between the Tomatis Method and recordings based on the  Tomatis Method?

    Some people sell tapes, CDs or recordings that claim to be based on Tomatis’s work. The benefits you’ll get from tapes, CDs or recordings pale in comparison to those obtained with the Tomatis Method.

    1. First of all, it is key to first test whether you would benefit from auditory stimulation, and if so, what program would be beneficial. For some people (like people with epilepsy or tinitus), auditory stimulated is not advisable, and should only be done under strict supervision of an expert. When you use a tape, CD or recordings, you by-pass this crucial step. These systems are based on the philosophy: „One size fits all”.
    2. Tapes, CDs or recordings cannot make you right ear dominant, the prerequisite for becoming a good learner. They talk about it, but it is just an advertising claim.
    3. Tapes, CDs or recordings do not have bone conduction making them less effective in addressing learning problems.
    4. Tapes, CD’s or recordings claim to use „gated music”, but what they call „gated music” has nothing to do with Tomatis gating system, and is less effective in training the muscles of the middle ear.
    5. Tapes, CD’s or recordings programs do not include vocal exercises under the Electronic Ear. It is a combination of passive and active listening that makes the Tomatis Method work.

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