Frequently Asked Questions

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Does the Listening Program Work?
What is the average length of the program?
What is the reason for the breaks between the different phases of the program?
How is progress assessed?
What do we do during the daily two hour sessions?
Does the program work well in association with other therapies?
I have a hearing loss. Can the listening program help me?
Which music do you play during the sessions?
What is the difference between the Tomatis Method and CDs based on the Tomatis Method?
How can I become a Tomatis practicioner

Q: Does the Listening Program Work?

A: The Toronto Listening Center studied the results of the program on 400 children and adolescents. They all had well-documented histories of learning problems, as well as a pattern of under-achievement on psycho-educational tests. The results of the study of the treatment were graded by parents on a percentage point scale. In this test, 95% of the parents responded that the program had helped their children. Here are the areas they saw improvement in:

» Communication: 89%
» Attention Span 86%
» Frustration Level 80%
» Reading Comprehension 85%
» Quality of Speech 74%
» Memory 73%
» Spelling 69%

In the follow-up assessment six months after the program ended, 83% of the children (according to the parents) had maintained the improvements and/or had continued to make further gains. An additional 145 of the original 400 had maintained some of the gains. Only 3% maintained none of the improvements.

For additional test results, please see "Research".

Q: What is the average length of the program?

A: Programs are tailored to meet the personal needs of each client. The length depends on two factors: 

» the nature, length and severity of the problem
» the response of the client to the program. 

Some clients respond more quickly than others. As much as possible, we try to give an accurate estimate for the duration of the program before starting. Keeping this in mind, an average program consists of three blocks and approximately 70 hours in total. However, some clients may need additional blocks. 

Q: What is the reason for the breaks between the different phases of the program?

A: If we were machines, we could take the program without interruption. But as human beings, we need periods of integration. Those so-called periods of rest are important. Parents often observe signs of obvious changes during those periods, as the child starts to process information in a more integrated and natural way.

Q: How is progress assessed?

A: A listening test is performed for every 15 hours of the program to track progress. This test is followed by a short interview or counseling session (if needed) to summarize what has been achieved and to explore reactions, thoughts and feelings of the client. We always ask clients to let us know when the experience reactions that may result from the program. The test results and the feedback are very important because they may lead to changes and furthering tailoring to the program.

We also encourage parents (or adult clients) to chart their children’s progress by keeping a journal or writing a short report to summarize their observations during each period of the program. We have adults who keep a diary throughout the program, which deepens and intensifies their therapeutic process.

Q: What do we do during the daily two hour sessions?

A: During the passive phase, children draw, paint, play games, do exercises that increase their sensory awareness or that improve their balance and coordination. Adults draw, work on a puzzle, meditate, rest, sometimes fall asleep as they start to relax more deeply. Art work is a great adjunct to the program: music, indeed, brings often a lot of mental images that, once projected on the paper, can bring about new ideas, associations, feelings that speed up the process, and expand awareness.

The emphasis is not on the outcome (a good or bad drawing) but on the process itself. We ask adult clients to do two drawings a day and to keep them in a file since they often provide us with important information to adjust the program. That is because often the same themes appear, as if the unconscious of all of us contains the same archetypal images that are released by music and sounds being played during the sessions.

During the active phase, children and adults still do some of the same kinds of activities, but they are also involved in doing vocal exercises as well.

Q: Does the program work well in association with other therapies?

A: Yes. It works well in conjunction with occupational therapy, sensory integration and speech therapy. They are all complementary. In our experience, the program speeds up the other therapies. In case of emotional problems, psychotherapy may be of help.

Q: I have a hearing loss. Can the listening program help me?

A: No. We do not treat hearing loss or deafness. This is the domain of the audiologists. Actually, we refer hearing impaired clients to them. Our role is very different.

Q: Which music do you play during the sessions?

A: We play Mozart, Gregorian Chant and a recording to the mother’s voice, when available or suitable. Dr. Tomatis, the founder of this therapy, investigated many forms of music. He found that Mozart was universally accepted and had the best therapeutic results. However, the music is filtered and does not sound exactly like the music you play on your CD player. We also use Gregorian Chant because its rhythm is the same as that of our heartbeat, or breath when we are very relaxed. It has a very calming effect on people who are anxious or hyperactive. In addition, its vowels are elongated, leaving enough time to perceive them clearly. As a result, it helps children with auditory processing difficulties or speech problems to improve their speech.

Q: What is the difference between the Tomatis Method and CDs based on the  Tomatis Method?

There are many people in this world that have latched on the work of Tomatis. Unfortunately, many of the people that claim to do Tomatis work, only do so in name. There are only a few people in the United States and Canada that have been thoroughly trained in the Tomatis Method.  You can find their names on this website (Addresses) 

Some people sell tapes or CDs that claim to be based on Tomatis's work. The benefits you'll get from tapes and CDs pale in comparison to those obtained with the Tomatis Method.

Q: How can I become a Tomatis practicioner?

There are several people in the US, Canada and Europe that provide training in methods that are related to the Tomatis Method. As the options differ significantly, it would be wise to carefully compare them, both with regards to the training, purchase of the equipment and other contractual terms. You can check out these options on the following websites: