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

• 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• Custom-fitted headphones

> air and bone delivery> vestibular stimulation

• Mini-amp powers headphones

• iPod holds processed music

• Beltpack: simultaneous sound and movement

• Playbook: weekly guide for movement activities

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

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)

Equipment: microphone, amp, headphones & voice

• Conditions the ear/voice feedback loop• Improves reading, listening, attention, voice quality and

self-confidence• Exercises designed to improve the following skills:

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

Research• Auditory Processing & Other Learning Difficulties

– Private clinic data collected by Aimee Weiner, AuD, and Julia Harper, OT on 29 children diagnosed with APD; post-intervention 22 of the 29 children had auditory processing skills within the normal range in all areas;pre-testing showed 0 of 29 had intact vestibular processing skills, post –intervention 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

• 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 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 the cause rather than the 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