Does Awaken Listening work?
The Toronto Listening Center studied 400 children and adolescents going through the program. All the concerned subjects had well-documented histories of learning problems, as well as patterns of underachievement on psycho-educational tests. The results were graded by parents of the subjects on a percentage point scale. In the above mentioned test, 95% of the parents responded that the program had helped their children. Following are the areas where improvement was seen:
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Communication:
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89%
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Attention Span:
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86%
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Frustration Level:
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80%
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Reading Comprehension:
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85%
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Quality of Speech:
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74%
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Memory:
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73%
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Spelling:
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69%
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Six months after completion of the program in a follow-up assessment (according to the parents) 83% of the children had maintained the improvements and/or had in fact continued to make further gains. In addition 145 of the original 400 had maintained some of the gains. Only 3% failed to maintain improvements.
For additional tests and testing information, see Testing.
What is the average length of the program?
The average program consists of three blocks or a total of 31 days for 1 hour and 20 minutes per day. Programs are tailored to meet the personal needs of each client, and thus the actual length of any program really depends on the individual client and the nature, length and severity of their problem as well as to the speed at which the client responds to the program, as each of these factors vary from individual to individual. Individuals respond differently to the program and it is not uncommon for certain clients like our autistic clients to need additional blocks and actually a change in program right from the start to 2 blocks instead of three blocks but still totaling 31 days for 1 hour 20 minutes per day.
What is the reason for the breaks between the different phases of the program?
Being human beings, we require periods of integration. The periods of rest in-between the blocks are very important. Parents observe changes during these breaks. The child starts to process information in a more integrated and natural way. Behavior changes are observed. Often the biggest changes are observed during the breaks.
How is progress assessed?
A battery of tests including most importantly the listening test is performed after every 8 listening sessions of the program to assess progress. The testing is followed by a short consulting session with the parent or accompanying adult to summarize what we see as having been achieved and to explore reactions, thoughts and feelings of the client, and their ideas of what is taking place. We also have a daily observation sheet that parents fill out at every session to help the practitioner improve or tweak the program to achieve optimum gains. The test results and all the other feedback is very important as they lead to changes and further individualizing and tailoring the program to the individuals needs.
What takes place during the Listening sessions?
During the receptive phase, children may draw, paint, play games, do exercises to increase sensory awareness or improve balance and coordination. Adults may draw, work on puzzles, do yoga and meditate, or just rest. Art work is greatly encouraged and is at certain points in the program a requirement as it is an important adjunct to the program because, music, often results in various mental images which, projected on paper, bring about new ideas, associations and feelings accelerating progress and expanding awareness.
The end product, or the actual drawing, painting artwork is really not important here, the process itself is what counts. Clients work is kept in their file as they provide import insight into the client and afford the practitioner yet another channel of input on which to draw from in adjusting and further individualizing the clients program. The insight comes from the fact that more often than not the same themes are seen from client to client released by the music.
During the expressive phase, children and adults still do some of the same kinds of activities, except that for half the time they are coached in doing vocal exercises.
Do other therapies have to be stopped while going through the program?
Not at all. In fact we urge our clients to keep the schedule as complete as possible because the program serves to accelerate gains made in the other more conventional therapies. Awaken Listening works very well in conjunction with occupational therapy, sensory integration and speech therapy. They are all complementary. In the case of emotional problems, psychotherapy is a great adjunct.
Do Medications have to be stopped while going through the program?
Not at all. In fact we urge our clients to keep everything including medication use as regular as possible. It is not a good idea to change anything in the childs routine while doing the program. The program is very intense and will cause profound change often very quickly and it is enough for the body and mind to have to deal with those changes without having the added stress of dealing with medication changes be they a change in the medication itself, or the dosage. The program is changed according to reactions to the program by the client and if reactions are occuring due to changes outside of the program it only complicates programing in that it cannot be determined if the reaction is due to the medication changes or the program, and therefore will interfere with the best possible program being delivered to the client. If a medication change is being discussed with your doctor it is a good idea to either make the changes and start the program only once they have been made and stabilized or do the program without making any changes until the program is over. Either way after the program it is a good idea to revisit the question of medication, as in many cases the dose can be reduced if not completely eliminated.
Can Awaken Listening be helpful to me if I have hearing loss?
Unfortunately no. Awaken Listening doesn’t help with hearing loss or deafness. We would suggest you visit an audiologist. We could help alleviate other difficulties inspite of the hearing loss but we cannot do anything for the loss itself.
What kind of music is used during the listening sessions?
Mozart, Gregorian Chant and a recording of the mother’s voice, when it is available and/or suitable is the only music/sound used during listening sessions. Dr. Tomatis, the founder of this method, experimented with various kinds of music. He found that Mozart was universally accepted and had in fact the best results. The music however, is filtered and often does not sound quite like the music played on a regular CD player. Gregorian Chant is used because it follows the same rhythm as that of the human heart, or breath when relaxed. Its effect is calming. In addition, vowels are elongated, providing sufficient time to perceive them clearly. This results, in helping children who have auditory processing difficulties or speech delays/problems to improve their speech.
What is the difference between Awaken Listening and CDs derived from the work of Dr. Tomatis?
Most unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous people that have taken the work of Dr. Tomatis and claimed to do it better and cheaper etc. etc. In reality there are only a few people in the United States and Canada that have been thoroughly trained in the Method of sound stimulation of Dr. Tomatis. There are those that do the “Tomatis Method” that use the original electronic ear or Solisten machines and need two hours everyday to do the program as the machines are not digital. And there are those that do “Awaken Listening” using Dynamic Listening Systems which are digital state of the art machines that cut the time required to achieve the results by a thirds. Hence the program is achieved through 1 hour 20 minutes per day and only 3 days per week. You can find the names of practitioners by clicking here.
There are companies and people selling tapes and/or CDs who claim to be based on the work of Dr. Tomatis. Any benefits one can possibly get from these tapes and CDs cannot compare to those obtained through Awaken Listening because:
It is absolutely imperative to test whether an individual would benefit from auditory stimulation, if yes, then what program would be most beneficial and appropriate. For some individuals for example those suffering from epilepsy or tinitus, auditory stimulated is under certain conditions not advisable, and should therefore only be undertaken under the supervision of an expert. This crucial step is completely bypassed when using tapes or CDs that are based on the philosophy of "One size fits all". These can be potentially dangerous as auditory stimulation is in fant very individual. Tapes and CDs are incapable of making an individual right ear dominant, the prerequisite according to Dr. Tomatis in order to become a good learner. This absolutely requires specially designed equipment that is not available in the market. Tapes and CDs do not have bone conduction which is also prerequisite when addressing learning difficulties. Tapes and CD's claim to gate music, but what they call are referring to as gating has in fant no bearing at all to what Dr. Tomatis called gating, and is therefore not very effective in training the muscles of the middle ear which is what Dr. Tomatis created gating for. Tape and CD programs do not provide for the expressive phase of Dr. Tomatis method, which is a very important part of listening and one that makes the method of Dr. Tomatis work.
For further comparison of the various sound stimulation methods please click here.
How can I become a DLS practitioner?
There are several people throughout the world that provide training in methods that are related to the Dr. Tomatis’ Method of sound stimulation. The options are many and differ significantly. It would therefore be advisable to carefully compare them, not only in regards to the actual training but also in the terms and conditions of purchasing equipment and other contractual terms and conditions. After thorough research we can only endorse one source. www.dynamiclistening.com
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