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