Having completed the first round of the Tomatis Sound Training, we were delighted as a family to see many positive changes in our 3 children, Katie, Amy and Matthew. 

Matthew had always been our primary concern as he has a bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and his processing of what he hears is slow.  Similarly his speech has always been clear and articulate, but slow so he was always being interrupted by his sisters.  His response to the first round of the Tomatis Method Sound Training was amazing! Three weeks after the course was completed my husband and I both noted that his speech was faster, he was less frustrated and being interrupted less.  He was using much more sophisticated phrases showing deeper thinking and problem solving than usual. 

Unfortunately now at +/-week 8 post program we noted a deterioration...it's time to start round 2!  We should have started after a 4 week break from round 1, but got a little complacent with his progress (note to all our parents out there!)  I'm on to it now!!

I've recently read some amazing books about therapeutic listening or as I refer to it ‘Auditory Integration’. Having completed the Tomatis ® Sound Training with my 3 children at home, I wanted to share our experiences and my observations about our journey.  I’ll keep it short, I promise!

 

Day 1:

We listened for 2 hours straight whilst doing puzzles, playing board games etc.  The kids kept asking for Katy Perry, but accepted it when I said that this was going to be a different style of music.

I had a headache, and so wasn’t looking forward to listening to anything…but I have to say that my headache lifted quickly without the help of panadol!  I noticed after the 2 hours that my hearing acuity was good – so good that I needed to turn down the volume on my mobile phone when talking to my husband, it was just too loud to be comfortable. Never needed to do that before.  Kids seem calmer, less arguing in the afternoon, even humming to themselves.

Day 3-5:

Kids are loving the creative family ‘listening time’.  They would still rather watch TV, but come to the table happily to join me with Lego etc.  I noticed that all 3 kids slept through the night last night…a rare event in our house!  Hope it lasts.

Day 6-9:

Kids are back at school now so we are listening for 1 hour in the morning, as we get up and then 1 hour in the evenings as we prepare dinner etc.  It’s a new routine to get used to, but manageable.  Kids are still sleeping through…fingers crossed!
 
I definitely notice better hearing acuity for myself and my son (who has a bilateral hearing loss).  I was cleaning his hearing aids and checked that the batteries were working – I usually struggle to hear the telltale ‘squeal’ (that means they have functioning batteries) as I hold them in the palm of my hand up to my ear, but not anymore – it’s as clear as a bell!   
 
I noticed similar improvements in my sons hearing – he is listening to me and answering my questions whilst he is in other rooms in the house.
 
Day 9-13:

All kids continue to sleep through the night!!

My youngest daughter – a very fussy eater – stunned me this week by willingly trying a new food.  Even better – she said that she “liked it”!  If you have a fussy eater you will understand that this is no small achievement! 

Even though I had no academic concerns for 2 of my 3 children, we started this journey to support my 3rd child who has a hearing loss and some signs of vestibular ‘seeking’.  He loves spinning, hanging upside down etc.  He seemed to have more trouble settling into Kindergarten than I had expected and was getting into trouble almost daily for rough behaviour.

He has been the focus, but I feel that his twin sister has also benefited from the therapeutic listening program.  As a sensitive, emotional child I was hoping this program may help her to be less emotional, less “high maintenance” and possible address some of her sensory aversions.  She dislikes any foods that are runny, sauce based, smooth or soft in consistency, and let’s be honest – there are only so many nights per week that I can serve the family chicken nuggets!

It’s fair to say that so far I am delighted with the small changes that I see each day in each of them.  Nothing ‘miraculous’ or life altering, but each little bit of positive change is adding up.  I'll keep you posted...