How can something that seems so simple—listening to psychoacoustically modified classical music—actually impact a
wide range of abilities, such as reading, communication, learning, and memory?
The Listening Program
Numerous studies worldwide, including research at the University of Sheffield, provide empirical evidence that
substantiate The Listening Program’s efficacy. And while that
affirms The Listening Program’s credibility, for many the question remains, how does
The Listening Program work?
The Listening Program The Ear-Brain Connection
First, let’s examine the connection between the ear and the brain. In oversimplified terms, the ear has three parts:
the outer, middle and inner ear. Sound travels as “vibratory energy” through these three parts as information relays
to the brain.
The Listening Program
To break it down further, sound is received by the external portion of the ear and passes through the auditory canal
to the eardrum. The eardrum then vibrates, passing the vibration though the middle ear bones to the inner ear. The
inner ear then converts the vibratory energy into electrochemical messages that are carried along the auditory pathways
to the brain. Once there, the brain perceives and interprets the messages.
Auditory Processing Skills This process of perceiving sound is complex. In fact, it requires a number
of skills that comprise auditory processing:
Amplitude Perception - To perceive the loudness or intensity of sounds. This is measured in decibels
(abbreviated “dB”).
Frequency Perception - To perform a frequency analysis; for example, the ability to split sounds into
various frequency bands. Frequency is measured in Hertz (abbreviated “Hz”).
Auditory Attention - To attend, focus, or listen to sound.
Sound Localization - To identify the source of a sound in your environment.
Auditory Discrimination - To distinguish between sounds or words that are similar or different in the
way they sound.
Auditory Closure - To fill in the missing pieces of sounds or words.
Auditory Anticipation - To expect what sound is coming next.
Auditory Temporal Processing - To analyze the timing and pattern of sounds.
Auditory Memory - To sequence sounds, words, or other meaningful combinations. To receive, store,
process, and recall auditory information.
Auditory Cohesion - To understand the meaning, abstraction, and intention of verbal communication
and music.
Auditory Figure Ground - To perceive speech or other sound when other competing sounds are present.
Auditory Scene Analysis - To separate sounds when a large mixture of sounds is present.
What if Auditory Processing is Impaired?
Imagine a distortion anywhere along the auditory pathway. Maybe it’s the effect of childhood ear infections, or the
long-term impact of toxic noise*. Or perhaps there are problems in how the brain perceives
sound once it is received. Whatever the cause, this disruption “disorganizes” the information, which diminishes the
brain’s ability to make sense of the input and respond appropriately. The result? Auditory processing problems can
lead to academic, social and emotional challenges.
The Listening Program
Are auditory processing problems permanent? With sufficient intervention, no. Neuroscience is proving that brain
function can change, thanks to “brain plasticity.” Research by leaders in this field indicates that plasticity
refers to our brain’s natural ability to adapt and change its structure in response to sensory experiences. In
other words, with specific stimulation through our senses (hearing, vision, touch, smell, taste), the brain can
establish new neural pathways.
The Listening Program
However, the brain does not typically respond with significant, permanent change through casual exposure to sensory
information. In order to “mold” the brain, it must be presented with specific sensory stimulation frequently, with
intensity, and for a sufficient period of time. A definitive effort must be made to convince the brain that the intention
is to create a change.
The Listening Program
This plasticity stays with us our entire lives. While it is never too late, the younger we begin stimulating the brain,
the better.
Improving Auditory Processing Through Music
So the question becomes…how can we overcome auditory processing challenges—moving from a “disorganized” to an “organized”
system?
Certain classical music, like that of Mozart, Haydn and Vivaldi, is highly structured, producing sound waves in organized
patterns. When listening to music, the ear is receiving the musical sound waves—waves that arrive in different frequencies, measured in Hertz (Hz). These frequencies stimulate the brain, and thus affect different functions of the mind and body.
The Listening Program’s psychoacoustically modified music and patent-pending production treatments are designed to
stimulate, or “exercise,” the different functions of the auditory processing system. This can enable the brain to better
perceive a fuller range of frequencies, organize the information, and respond appropriately.
Extending the Power of Music through Psychoacoustic Treatments
Countless psychoacoustic processes are used in the production of The Listening Program
—techniques that enhance and strengthen the attributes
inherent within the musical structure to effect change for specific auditory processing skills, as demonstrated in the
following examples.
Auditory Figure Ground – To “exercise” this skill, which is the ability to perceive speech or other sound
when other competing sounds are present, The Listening Program
alternates the volume of different instrumental voices. To illustrate, in a
particular section of music, the volume may be subtly raised on the oboe, and then the volume reduces on the oboe while
it’s raised on the violin. By switching the listener’s attention in and out of the different instrumental voices and
between background and foreground sound, The Listening Program
is training the auditory processing system to better “tune in” and “tune out.”
Sound Localization – Sound localization refers to the ability to identify the source of a sound in the
environment, and one of the ways The Listening Program
enhances this skill is through “spatial dynamics.” By “moving the position” of different instruments during
post-production, it sounds to the listener as if instruments are moving forward, backward, or side-to-side during
a particular segment of music. This experience actively engages the listener, requiring the brain to perceive the
position of the sound in time and space.
Specific Frequencies for Specific Functions
The Listening Program combines decades of clinical research in
several fields, including neurology,
physiology, psychoacoustics**, auditory processing, music theory, and more. The method builds
on the work of respected leaders in these fields, such as ear, nose, and throat physician Alfred A.
Tomatis, MD (1920-2001). For example, Dr. Tomatis helped identify the relationship between certain frequencies
and their effect on functions of the mind and body.
The Listening Program
The audible range for the human ear is between 20 Hz (low frequencies) and 20,000 Hz (high frequencies).
A simplified explanation of Dr. Tomatis’ findings shows that he identified certain bands, or zones, of frequencies
that affect different abilities:
The Listening Program is designed to address these zones,
systematically providing auditory stimulation that, when customized for listeners by
The Listening Program Providers, can help improve
listeners’ ability to function, maximizing their potential in a number of ways.
The Listening Program treatment categories are as follows:
Full Spectrum—Full Spectrum provides a kind of overall “organizing” experience.
Sensory Integration—Sensory Integration targets the first zone (lower frequencies) to stimulate
such functions as balance, coordination, motor skills and more.
Speech & Language—Speech & Language emphasizes the mid to higher frequencies to stimulate the
brain’s abilities for memory, attention, vocal control and more.
High Spectrum—High Spectrum focuses on the higher frequencies that impact creativity, intuition,
energy and more.
With a personal sense of purpose, the The Listening Program
team has brought together science, world-class music, and state-of-the-art
technology so The Listening Program
can make a difference in the lives of countless people worldwide.
The Listening Program
*Toxic noise – unsafe environmental noises that, over time, can cause noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Examples of
common toxic noise include HVAC systems, hair dryers, power lawn mowers, stadium football games, airplane cabins and
more.
The Listening Program
**Psychoacoustics – the psychological study of hearing. Psychoacoustic research helps develop many commonly known
inventions such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, mp3 technology, and more.
The Listening Program
Monday, January 05, 2009
The Listening Program combines decades of clinical research in
several fields, including neurology,
physiology, 
