Simulating the human ear using Dynamic Listening Systems
Audio-vocal  reeducation through Dynamic Listening Systems
Recordng the Mother’s  Voice
Suggested activities during listening
Awaken Listening is divided into two principal parts
The Receptive  Phase
The  Expressive phase
After the  program

Simulating the human ear using Dynamic Listening Systems:
Dynamic  Listening Systems which is technologically the most advanced  simulation of the human ear available today, is essential to the provision of Awaken Listening, a method of sound stimulation following the method of the late Dr. Alfred Tomatis. The purpose of  this equipment is to engage the human ear in acquiring its function of listening and to ensure it plays its intended role as the center  of control for language and  laterality.

Audio-vocal  reeducation through Dynamic Listening Systems:
Before beginning a program of audio-vocal education or reeducation, the adult or the child is put through a thorough assessment covering audio-psycho-phonology. The assessment consists of the client  filling out a history form, preferably before they come to the center and either mailing it or bringing it in with them on their  initial assessment visit. The client is subjected to a series of tests, the main one being the listening test conceived by Dr. A. A. Tomatis. The client or the client’s parents in the case of a child consult with a center consultant to discuss the course of action proposed and to answer any questions the client may have.  The dates for the program  are also determined at this point.  The initial assessment runs between 1 – 2 hours.

The  program consists of 3 blocks.  The first block consists of 15 sessions, 1 hour and 20 minutes each.  There are 2  additional evaluations, and consultations to assess progress and any  changes necessary, each comprising approximately 45 minutes and take place prior to the 8^th and the 15^th sessions. Then there is a break of 4 – 6 weeks which is crucial to the assimilation process.  The client then returns for 8 more sessions with testing and consultation before starting the program and before the  8^th session.  This is once again followed by a break of 4 – 6 weeks, after  which the client returns to complete the program.  This block is done in the  same configuration as the 2^nd block.  In severely affected cases  like autism, and downs syndrome several programs may be necessary,  but the center will work with you on finding the best solution.  These evaluations and  consultations are crucial to making sure the client receives the  best possible individualized program possible.  It is also a time for us to  gather information on reactions and experiences the client has during listening, so we can help them work things through where  necessary.  In the case of severely affected clients especially our autistic clients who present with severe auditory processing difficulties as well as with sensory issues the protocol needs to be changed in that the optimum results can be achieved.  In such a  case one is typically looking at a 2 year program which is very individualized to fit the clients needs and typically follows a  protocol of 15 sessions followed by a break followed by 10 sessions followed by a break and so on.  The client is  continually tested to assess progress and the breaks get  consistently longer until optimum results are reached.

Recording the Mother’s Voice:
A  recording of the mother’s voice is necessary in the cases of a  child.  Sometimes it is also pertinent and necessary in the case of an adult.  The mother should be prepared to make a recording of herself reading a book during the  intake process while her child is being tested.  A technician at the center will set it up and there is no need to bring any material with  you.  This process takes  approximately 30 minutes.  This recording of your voice belongs to you and you can request you be given the CD at the end of your child’s last  session.  Unclaimed  recordings will be disposed of six months after the last  session.  We will ask that you make an appointment to come and get a free evaluation and  consultation 4 – 6 months after finishing the program so that we can keep track of gains made following the program and assess and  discuss options for any follow-up treatment.

Suggested activities during listening:
Listening  requires the client to be in a state of relaxation.

Children and Adolescents may play games, draw, paint, build models, etc.

Adults may play games, do art, knit or other handicrafts, build models, do  puzzles, etc.

It is extremely important not to chew or swallow continuously during  listening as this directly impacts the muscles of the middle ear, that are already being acted on by the listening.

Awaken Listening is divided into two principal parts:

1. The  receptive phase during which the client listens to various sounds and music that is gated, filtered and otherwise manipulated through  head phones equipped with both air and bone conduction, without any  active participation in the program itself.
2. The  expressive phase during which the subject takes part by repeating  specified singing exercises, nursery rimes, words or sentences.

The different phases of the program strive to imitate the various  ontogenetic processes of the function of listening and therefore  remain identical for all the clients. The duration of the different phases however, differs according to the extent of trauma suffered by the client, which prevented the client from acquiring structured language through listening. The individualized program is written by the consulting DLS consultant based on history, test results,  observation, consultations with the various therapists, teachers, aids, baby-sitters, and doctors currently working with the child, and  the consultation with the client and his/her parents.  The program is adapted to  the individual needs and difficulties of the client.

The Receptive  Phase:
During this phase, the person receives auditory stimulation using headphones equipped not just with air conduction but with the  highest quality bone conduction imported from Australia, as it is there that the best bone conductors in the world are produced.

Specially  recorded full spectrum music written by the great composer Amadeus  Mozart is initially used as a stimulus, This music is gradually  filtered over several days (individualized to the clients needs) to simulate the sonic universe corresponding to the processes of listening one goes through before birth.

Usually, in the case of a child, the child will also listen to the voice of his/her mother, filtered in the same way. The maternal voice and the music are then gradually unfiltered in order to allow the client to  rediscover the intricacies of communication. The purpose of this  phase is to help the client gain the desire to communicate with his/her surroundings.

During this first phase, the client can play and speak, while listening to  the recordings. However, the client is strongly encouraged to draw  and his/her drawings are kept in a folder and are made part of the  consultations as these drawings are an integral part of the changes  occurring and tell their own story on the progress and transformation being made. Listening is done in rooms specifically designed to accommodate various age groups of clients.

In the course of this first phase, a client can primarily expect to see changes in sleep patterns, appetite, and behavior. The person appears calmer, more relaxed, and more open with others. There is an increase in the desire to speak. In the case of children, the  parents notice them asking more questions and having a greater  interest in participating in activities, both at home and in school.

We notice  behavior starting to skew to the mean, i.e. the restless child is calmer and the withdrawn child starts interacting. The child starts listening more and becomes more positive across the board.

If a child, progress towards communications requires the collaboration of the parents, and in the case of severely affected children like  those with autism just to name one will also require the  collaboration of their speech pathologist and very importantly of their behavior intervention therapist, as change is hard for these children and they will retreat to the old behaviors of dealing with  change which they will have to be helped to work through again on  this new plane. The parents play a role of support and actively participate in the changes the child is going through. This collaboration is of significant importance to ensure the effectiveness of the program with regard to assisting the child to make maximum gains. This requires, in the case of children, that the parents fill out a daily observation and discuss any issues that may have come up with the child in order for the program to be reevaluated and corrected to fit the changing needs of the child, to ensure maximum benefits. Their active participation, which is  related to an in-depth comprehension of the action undertaken on their child, makes it possible to obtain positive  results.

The  Expressive phase:
The  purpose of this phase is to offer the client the opportunity of using the desire to listen that was awakened in the preceding phase.  The client is asked to repeat certain spoken or sung elements like  nursery rhymes, singing exercises, readings, words and sentences,  done using a microphone that is attached to the Dynamic Listening  System, which is in turn regulated in a way that allows the client  to control his/her voice. Gradually, using an intricate system of balance will enable the client to control him/herself more and more  by using his/her right ear, in turn reinforcing the audio vocal system.

After the  program:
Once the client has acquired audio vocal control, and is thus able to control oral and written language, the client is expected to continue certain exercises at home.  The client should read in a high voice making it possible to  maintain the gains made and to reinforce and continue the progress  made during Awaken Listening.

We offer a free consultation 4 – 6 months after completion of the program in  order to evaluate gains made and determine if any follow up or  maintenance is required.

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