[EN] Tomatis Welcome booklet by Tomatis

FIND A TOMATIS® PROFESSIONAL IN OVER75 COUNTRIES

The Tomatis® Method is not considered to be medical treatment or a diagnostic tool. Practicing the Tomatis® Method is not a reason to stop medical treatment without your doctor’s recommendation. The contents of this brochure are for informational purposes only, do not constitute medical advice, and have no contractual value. Only the professionals listed on the website www.tomatis.com are authorized to practice the Tomatis ® Method. TOMATIS ® is a registered trademark.

TOMATIS® WELCOME BOOKLET

A FEW WORDS BEFORE BEGINNING

Sixty years ago, the ENT Alfred Tomatis developed a method to restore listening skills. This program, to which Tomatis devoted his life, consists of specific listening sessions. Your own voice, or music is modified in real time to naturally train your brain to enhance your motor, emotional, and cognitive abilities.

“We can hear well, but listen poorly.” Alfred Tomatis

This effect occurs because of neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s capacity to create new connections following specialized, sustained, and repeated stimuli. Considered a forerunner to modern neuroscience, Alfred Tomatis highlighted the importance of the auditory system to effectively stimulate the brain. His method is now used all over the world.

Since its creation, the Tomatis Method® has been constantly innovating to offer you the most advanced technology. Today, it works thanks to a compact, light and ultraperforming equipment: the TalksUp® device associated with the Tomatis® Infinite headphones. This equipment allows you to follow your entirely customized Tomatis® program at your Professional or at home. To get started, equip yourself now with the Tomatis® Infinite headphones.

The Tomatis® Method is a complementary program and may be used in conjunction with other programs or approaches. The Tomatis® professional that you work with may have their own specialization and treatment plan.

YOUR PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

SESSION 3

Your preliminary interview will last about 2 hours. During this interview with a professional trained in the Tomatis® Method, you will be asked to share your personal history or that of your child. At this time, you may also be tested to determine your listening profile. This session will allow you to think about a Tomatis® course, to set goals, and to define your expectations. Each session is followed by an interview in order to adjust the course as needed.

Each listening session generally lasts 14 days with 80 minutes of listening each day. These sessions are performed at home with TALKSUP®. The sessions consist of music that has been customized to your listening profile. As you go along, the program evolves, incorporating active sessions of reading and/or repetition.

After the first session, you will take a break of at least 4 weeks. After each session that follows, the duration of the break increases. During these breaks, you may be advised to continue stimulation with the « Follow-Up » programs and the audio-vocal function of the Tomatis® Infinite headphones and/or the Soundsory® headphones.

The Program Your course is personalized by a Tomatis® professional and can vary greatly depending on your goals and profile. As a result of this personalization, the number and duration of listening sessions and scheduled breaks can change significantly.

OVERVIEW AND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS You’ll start with an overview session which lasts approximately 1½ - 2 hours. This individual session will serve as an opportunity for testing. Each professional will utilize all the appropriate testing materials. Your Tomatis® professional may ask that you participate in evaluations specific to the Tomatis® Method. These tests are designed to determine your listening profile, personalize your treatment plan, and help to measure your progress along the way.

The listening test

Tomatis® Evaluation Database (TED)

This listening test reveals the way in which you perceive sound. You will be presented with sound stimuli through bone conduction or air conduction.

This online questionnaire was created for evaluating children. It consists of a series of psycho pedagogical questions which caregivers must answer in relation to the child.

Depending on the test, you will be asked to respond verbally, or with a gesture. Each ear is tested individually. Together, these results create your listening profile.

The questionnaire will take approximately 20 minutes and permit your professional to target problems and evaluate progress.

During the course of your program, several individual sessions are offered, which serve as the key to reaching your program goals. They aim to customize the program based on your test results, your own feedback, and your progress.

SESSIONS

Listening Sessions (Passive Phase) These sessions will serve as the majority of your sessions. The music presented is composed mostly of Mozart, which is filtered and modified. The music is transmitted by bone conduction while wearing specialized headphones.

You will perceive sound contrasts that modify the timbre and intensity while maintaining the rhythm and melody. These contrasts produce a naturally stimulating effect for your brain and improve your listening.

The number, duration, and the type of material covered during the sessions are customized to your listening profile and your program goals.

BREAKS

Listening Sessions (Active Phase)

Between each session, you will take a break for several weeks. These breaks are called “Integration Phases.”

In these sessions, you will read, repeat, discuss or even sing while your voice is instantly changed and transmitted according to specific settings. This allows you to hear your own voice modified in real time.

They were be followed by tests and interim interviews before a new session begins.

The activities you perform during these sessions are dependent on your personal listening profile and your goals.

TIPS & GOOD PRACTICES BEFORE YOUR LISTENING SESSIONS

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Be sure to allow sufficient time to complete your entire session from start to finish. Be sure that the device’s battery is well-charged to avoid any interruptions. Make sure that the headband fits snuggly against your skull to benefit from bone conduction transmission of the sounds. Be sure that your headphones are on correctly (right earpiece goes over the right ear) Adjust the volume so that it’s comfortable. It should not be too loud or too soft. If you’re adjusting the volume for someone else, be sure that you have the same hearing and auditory sensitivities as them. Record the session number and what you do on the page provided in this booklet. Avoid beginning your sessions at bedtime.

DURING YOUR LISTENING SESSIONS We recommend that during your listening sessions, you avoid doing other activities that require concentration or that might generate stress. Such activities can vary depending on the person. For example, some children or adults enjoy puzzles while others do not and experience stress from attempting them. You can be creative with your activities or simply enjoy the music.

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Feel free to move, walk or dance. Feel free to be creative: draw, paint, or do other kinds of arts and crafts. Feel free to play games such as playing cards, board games, puzzles, or Lego®. Avoid chewing gum or snacking during sessions. Avoid watching screens (TV, computer, or phone). Avoid doing sessions while you are travelling (in a car, bus, or train).

ADVICE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

Introduce the headphones and the music to the child.

Introduce the listening sessions to the child.

What to do during sessions with a child.

Bone conduction is an intriguing concept. Explain to the child that our bones can be used to transmit sound to our brains. Have them hold the headband to feel the vibrations. They can also use the headphones while plugging their ears to feel the music transmitted directly through the top of the skull.

To elicit interest from your child, it’s a good idea to show them that you can use the headphones too. This is motivating to children and helps them be more comfortable with the idea of daily use.

Listening sessions are an excellent opportunity to share a moment with the child when life is so frequently busy.

Explain that bone conduction creates a direct connection with the brain, bypassing the ears. The sound contrasts can be surprising and to better understand them you can take a few minutes of listening during which the child notifies you when they detect changes in the sounds. Explain that the brain is very sensitive to these changes, and this is the best way to capture its attention; just like when we snap our fingers to get another person’s attention.

Since the headphones are wireless, you can follow the sessions simultaneously with the child (check with your professional first). Show them that they are not the only ones making an effort and that everyone can benefit from this program.

Try to plan activities that they enjoy such as painting, drawing, building blocks, or Lego® construction. Conversely, for some children, this may be an opportunity to go into their “bubble” and have a few moments alone.

POSTURE DURING READING

Depending on your posture, the timbre and rhythm of your voice can change significantly. Your listening and your voice are also impacted. Here are some suggestions to optimize your reading and repetition exercises. FOR ADULTS

FOR CHILDREN Head: your head should rest comfortably above your spine. Like you are suspended from a string!

Lips: round the lips forward and avoid straining the back of the neck. Like you are touching your lips to a microphone.

Stomach: breathe gently while using your diaphragm to allow your stomach to move in and out slowly. Like the waves of the sea!

Back: sit straight without over-rounding or pressing too firmly into the chair with the lower back. As if you have the tail of a kangaroo and you’re sitting on it! . Feet: your feet are flat on the ground and are spaced apart the same width as your hips. Like being rooted into the ground!

The child can imagine that they’re a tree. Their feet are the roots reaching into the ground, their back is the straightened trunk, and their head is the foliage. Mime the rain coming down to water the tree and watch them grow, grow grow!

WHAT TO LISTEN TO The Music. The music chosen for the sessions is mostly extracts from the works of Mozart. This music is dynamic and rich with harmonics, thus perfectly suited to the dynamic filter. Mozart’s music is also universally appreciated. Other types of music can be used including waltzes, rhythmic songs, or Gregorian chants.

Sound Contrasts (dynamic filter). The brain is particularly sensitive to sudden, unanticipated changes. During Tomatis® listening sessions, the music changes suddenly in its tone, timbre, and intensity. These changes are virtually undetectable for the brain and therefore create the effect of surprise. In response, the brain develops its ability to detect these changes which is very important for improving attention. You can witness the dynamic filter in use by watching the blue and green lights on your headphones, which blink during sound modification.

The Transmission of Sound. Sound is vibration. When this vibration is in the air, we call it air conduction. Air conduction is the way in which we naturally perceive external sounds (for example, listening to music through headphones). But when this vibration is transmitted through bone, we call it bone conduction. We can perceive the sound while plugging our ears with our fingers or placing one hand on top of the skull. During Tomatis® listening sessions, music (or the voice) is also transmitted by air conduction and bone conduction. While the brain is perceiving sound signals arriving via bone conduction, the analysis of the sound signals arriving via air conduction are also facilitated. Favor the right ear. The left ear is connected to the right side of the brain and the right ear is connected to the left side of the brain. One ear usually predominates. Depending on our predominance, the analysis of the stimulus is not the same, and influences the way we process information. We now know that favoring the right ear over the left strengthens learning and communication skills. Thanks to the specific settings used, the Tomatis® Method favors the right ear by modulating the intensity of the sound in each ear. Work on auditory laterality with the Tomatis® method is not systematic.

Utilize the Mother’s Voice. From the 18th week of gestation, the fetus is capable of hearing. The voice of the mother reaches the fetus through vibrations in the vertebral column. The fetus, as it becomes a baby, will integrate all the characteristics of the mother’s voice such as her timbre, intensity, rhythm, and tone… . The mother’s voice is a fundamental source of sensory stimulation. In certain cases, when possible, your Tomatis® professional may wish to record the mother’s voice and apply it to the dynamic filter for use during sessions.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?

The Tomatis® Method is a natural, noninvasive sensory stimulation approach. Regardless of the program offered by the professional, there is absolutely no risk of hearing loss. The ears are powerful tool for processing sensory information, and this means that they are well-connected to the brain. The Tomatis® Method aims to optimize the ears’ potential to help train the brain. What you may feel in terms of mood, energy, and concentration can vary greatly from person to person. Here are some explanations of the processes behind the subconscious changes that occur with the Tomatis® Method.

● The Tomatis® Method is a program. It aims to train the brain by giving it opportunity to process sensory stimulation. Like any learning process, it requires time and repetition. This can result in feeling impatient or fatigued. ● The Tomatis® Method is a workout. Our ears work as a result of muscles that are both the smallest and the fastest in the entire human body. The Tomatis ® Method aims to develop these muscles to their full potential. At the end of a session, some people may feel fatigued as a result of this muscular effort. On the other hand, some people may feel immediate well-being. ● The Tomatis® Method is sensory stimulation training. Remember that sound is vibration. The role of the inner ear is to convert this vibration into electrical impulses. The musical component of the Tomatis® Method promotes the transmission of high-pitched sounds that are particularly effective in stimulating the brain. This intense stimulation can result in temporary fatigue, or conversely—a boost of energy. ● The Tomatis® Method is a psycho-educational program. The goal is to help the brain better analyze sensory information. This analysis has an important emotional dimension since everyone processes this information according to their own experiences and feelings. By promoting listening, we can be quickly overwhelmed by the sensory information our brain must now learn to process. Some people sense new emotions that they find difficult to grasp and verbalize. This can result in irritability and stress. This is called “disorganization before reorganization.” Experiencing one or more of these effects can be explained by the creation of new neural pathways, which initiates future progress. Therefore, it’s important to follow the program to completion, and to share your feelings with your Tomatis® professional, who can adapt the program as needed. If there is too much discomfort, we recommend that you stop the program temporarily while discussing the experience with your professional.

YOUR EQUIPMENT – INFINITE HEADPHONES Starting with Tomatis® Infinite headphones: You can connect the Tomatis® Infinite headphones to the TalksUp® either in wired mode or Bluetooth mode. For better sound quality, we recommend the wired mode. For connection in Bluetooth mode, see page 13. Here's how to use your Tomatis® Infinite headphones in wired mode for an individualized program created by a Professional. Always make sure you place the ‘R’ speaker on your right ear and the arch of the headphones touches the top of your head.

Begin with the music listening function (right speaker) 1. Connect the headphones in wired mode to the mini jack on TalksUp® 2. Ensure that TF mode is on (right speaker, above the screen). 3. Switch on the device (right speaker, bottom button) 4. Adjust the volume with the “+” and ”-” buttons located below the right speaker.

Quick start of the audio-vocal training (left speaker) 5. Plug the microphone on the left speaker into the correct jack. 6. Turn on the microphone using the ON/OFF button on the left speaker. 7. Position the microphone about 2 inches from your mouth. Adjust the volume with the “+” and “-” buttons located below the left speaker.

Battery 5. The battery needs to be recharged approximately every 8 hours. Charge your headphones when you have one bar left on the battery that appears on the screen or when you hear a repetitive «beeping» sound while listening. The battery will fully charge within max. 4 hours.

For detailed instructions on Tomatis® Infinite headphones usage visit: https://infinite.tomatis.com/user-guide/

YOUR EQUIPMENT – TALKSUP®

Getting Started with TalksUp® Your TalksUp® has been programmed by your Tomatis® professional. Here is how to use it:

Getting Started ● Connect the wire from the headset to the mini jack. ● To turn the device on, press and then release the On/Off button. ● Press “Program.” ● To get started, click on the corresponding day (DAY 1, DAY 2, etc.) ● Press “STOP” twice to stop the program. ● To turn off your device, go back to the home page and press the On/Off button. Know-how ● After 30 seconds without activity, the screen automatically locks. Slide your finger across the screen to unlock it. ● In case of inactivity of 3 minutes or longer, the device goes to sleep (this may occur during navigation or reading). Press the on/off button to reactivate it. Battery ● Your device has an 8-hour battery life. Plan to recharge your device when the battery life light displays two green squares. Note that you cannot charge the device during a session. ● The maximum time the device can be charged is 5 hours. In order to recharge the battery, the device must be turned on. It will automatically shut down once charging is complete. Precautions ● Do not use an object (such as a stylus) to navigate the touch screen. ● Leave the device in it’s protective cover during sessions. ● For children, it is recommended to attach the device to a belt to facilitate movement. ● To recharge the battery, use only the charger and cable provided. ● If the device crashes, turn it off and then back on. ● Do not lend your device to another person.

CONNECTIONS & BLUETOOTH MODE

Mini USB port for connecting to charger and electrical outlet

On/Off Button

Some of TalksUp® devices are equipped with Bluetooth® technology and can be paired with the Tomatis® Infinite headphones that way. However, for better sound quality, we recommend the wired mode. For cable connection, see pages 11-12.

Connecting the Tomatis® Infinite headphones to the TalksUp® in Bluetooth mode: To connect the Tomatis® Infinite headphones to TalksUp® Bluetooth, turn the Tomatis® Infinite headphones ON and activate Bluetooth mode on the right speaker.

Microphone port to connect microphone during active sessions

Audio Port for connecting Tomatis® headphones directly, or a wireless transmitter for wireless connection of Tomatis® headphones.

Next turn on the TalksUp® Bluetooth. On the home screen, click on "settings". You can then activate the Bluetooth function by dragging the button to the right.

For more information on the Bluetooth connection of our devices follow detailed instructions in this video: http://bit.ly/TI-Connections-EN

NAVIGATION

Indicates the volume level. The volume is adjusted using the dial on the headphones. Be careful not to reverse the right and left side.

Indicates the connection and adjustable volume for the microphone.

Indicates the remaining listening time—daily or per session—depending on the setting chosen by the professional.

Volume adjustment. This feature can be blocked by your professional. Important : If you connect your BT Headphones to a TalksUp® by cable, the volume adjustment must be done on the TalksUp® device, and not on the headphones.

● Press the “Play” button to being a session. ● Press the “Stop” button to discontinue the session. ● Press the “Pause” button to pause listening.

YOUR APPOINTMENTS

Evaluation DATE

TIME:

First Session: Interview DATE

TIME:

2nd Session: Interview DATE 3th Session:

TIME:

Complete the following two pages and give them to your professional at the end of each session. How did you feel at the end of your session? 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Name: Session Number: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 Date:

Your Comments (share your thoughts at the end of a session)

How did you feel at the end of your session? 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Other Comments:

Your Comments (share your thoughts at the end of a session)

DIPLOMA LISTENING SESSION

The TOMATIS® Team congratulates

for successfully completing Listening Session #1

DATE

SIGNATURE

DIPLOMA LISTENING SESSION

The TOMATIS® Team congratulates

for successfully completing Listening Session #2

DATE

SIGNATURE

DIPLOMA LISTENING SESSION

The TOMATIS® Team congratulates

for successfully completing Listening Session #3

DATE

SIGNATURE

DIPLOMA LISTENING SESSION

The TOMATIS® Team congratulates

for successfully completing Listening Session #4

DATE

SIGNATURE