Overview

• What is iLs?• How does iLs work?• What is the science behind the method?• What is the equipment like? • How long is the iLs program?• Is there supporting research?• What is the cost of a clinic program?• Summary

What is iLs? • Combines auditory training with balance and visual

activities

• Stimulates parts of the brain involved in learning, communication, emotion, memory and balance and self-regulation

• Evolved from proven therapies used to help with dyslexia, attention, auditory processing, coordination, communication, cognitive function and optimal performance

Proven Techniques, New Technology

iLs combines sound and movement therapies:

Tomatis Method – sound therapy, 40 years in Europe, $50k for equipment/training

Kinesiology & Yoga – movement therapy known for its neurological stimulation

Brain growth occurs through stimulation - a concept known as “neuroplasticity”.

iLs’ combined sound and movement programs stimulate the learning and communication parts of the brain.

How Does Integrated Listening Work?

• Information from our environment is conveyed through our senses: taste, touch, smell, hearing, seeing, vestibular (balance) and muscle awareness.

• These sensory systems are very inter-related, especially the eyes, ears and vestibular.

• An example of the inter-relatedness is the act of reading:– As your eyes move from letter to letter your ear (cochlea)

translates each letter into a sound. – The vestibular system coordinates the eye movements and aids

the synchronicity of the eyes and ears.

Information Integration & Processing

• The vestibular and cochlear systems, located in the inner ear, work together to relay sensory input to the brain.

• They play a key role in our ability to integrate our senses, and their successful interaction is essential for language development, sensory processing and motor function.

iLs Equipment – Auditory

• Custom-fitted headphones> air/bone conducted delivery

• Mini-amp powers headphones

• iPod loaded with processed music and video demos of movement exercises

• Beltpack for portability

• Playbook: guide for movement activities

iLs Equipment – Movement

• Movement activities include visual,

vestibular & proprioceptive exercises,

performed simultaneous to listening

• The Integration Kit (pictured) is

included with all iLs systems

• Equipment includes balance board,

visual tracking tools, headband

and Playbook

iLs Listening Component

• Receptive and Expressive Phases – training the brain’s processing for input and output

• 3 frequency zones correlating to the body, communication and cognitive function

• Audio techniques: frequency filtration, gating, bone conduction

• Each program is customized for the individual

iLs Music – frequencies stimulating specific areas of the mind & body

iLs: Receptive & Expressive

Phases

Program Structure• Receptive Phase

– 40 - 60 Sessions– Each session is 60-minutes combined listening and

movement (movement activities ~ 15 min)– 3-5 sessions per week– total program 2-3 months

• Expressive Phase (optional add-on)– Excellent for expressive language issues– Begin toward last 1/4 of Receptive Phase– 10-20 min per session – make it fun!

iLs Receptive Programs

1- Sensory Motor: a 60-session program for those with sensory integration and developmental challenges as well as those on the autistic spectrum; gentle program focusing on lower frequencies

2- Concentration & Attention: a 40-session program for those with attention deficits; focuses on the frequencies of zones 1 & 2

3- Reading/Auditory Processing: a 40-session program for reading-related and auditory processing skills; focus is on zone 2 frequencies

4- Optimal Performance for Teens/Adults: a 48-session program to improve memory, processing, mood and balance; excellent for seniors, too; focus is on zones 2 & 3 frequencies

iLs Expressive Phase (optional add-on)

• Improves reading, listening, voice quality and self-confidence• Exercises for auditory processing

– Auditory memory– Phonemic awareness– Auditory processing speed– Left /right perception and processing– Concentration & listening skills– Auditory figure ground (language amidst background noise)

Research

• Auditory Processing & Other Learning Difficulties

– data collected by Aimee Weiner, AuD, and Julia Harper, OT • data on 29 children with APD, published in Advance Magazine 1/4/10 • pre-testing showed 0 of 29 had intact auditory processing skills and 0 of 29

had intact vestibular processing skills, • post –intervention 22 of 29 had auditory processing skills in normal range in

all areas; all 29 had intact vestibular skills

– Public school pilot study including 20 children with learning difficulties; teachers reported significant improvement in 19 of the 20 (2009)

– Private clinic study conducted by M. Fraval, DO, and H. Armytage with 30 subjects showed average improvement in auditory processing

skills of 78% after a 3-month program

Research (cont’d)

• Literacy

– Controlled study of 64 K-2 at-risk students conducted by University of New Mexico, Ann Calhoon, PhD

– results showed significant improvement in all areas of literacy; – average improvement in reading over 3-month iLs program was 2 years

See the Research pages of www.integratedlistening.com

Summary• iLs is a natural and safe therapy

• iLs programs are effective for helping with learning, attention and balance problems, for those on the autistic spectrum; mild head injury (whiplash); mood; improved cognitive skills; energy and enthusiasm for life

• iLs addresses root causes rather than symptoms

• iLs is fun, most kids and adults enjoy their listening

Follow Up

• Q & A• Hands-on listening• Schedule a complimentary Pitch Discrimination Test

or Symptoms Checklist Assessment