The Tomatis Method

The Tomatis Method is a unique system of sound stimulation. It was developed by a French Ear Nose and Throat specialist, Dr. Alfred Tomatis. Dr Tomatis spent most of his life studying and researching the ear and communication.

He developed a Therapeutic system, the Tomatis Method, which can greatly help children with a wide range of difficulties which stem from auditory processing difficulties or developmental delays. The Tomatis Method uses very specialised equipment (the Tomatis Electronic Ear, specialised Tomatis headphones and specific Tomatis music) in order to address and remediate any auditory processing difficulties. This facilitates, encourages and accelerates children’s development.

Tomatis Programme

Depending on each individuals needs specific music will be played through the Tomatis Equipment and delivered to the children’s headphones. We have specifc music which is processed in order to stimulate the development of Language and communication, vestibular and coclear system and general neural development. The music is but one part of the programme, perhaps the most important aspect is the Tomatis Electronic Ear. The Electronic Ear modifies, processes and changes the music, delivering it through a system of electronic “gates”, “filtres” and “channels”. The specialised Tomatis headphones deliver the music through two modalities, that of Air Conduction and Bone Conduction.

Mothers voice

Tomatis made many important discoveries. Knowing that the ear is the first sensory organ to develop in utero (fully developed at 4 ½ months), Tomatis recognised that listening begins in the womb and that the feotus hears and listens to their mother’s voice before birth. This is the first language stimulation that a child receives, and allows for the desire for communication to develop. Tomatis also recognised that some children did not get the full developmental benefit of this initial language stimulation. As part of his method he developed a process where by using a recording of the mother’s voice and the Tomatis equipment that it is possible to retrace this important developmental step.

Active work / microphone work

Tomatis also realized that speech, using ones own voice, and having good vocal control is also vitally important in reaching ones potential. To this end Tomatis added a microphone to his therapeutic system. The microphone allows children to hear their voice in a new way. As the children speak, vocalize or hum into the microphone, the Tomatis equipment is processing and altering the characteristics of their voice. This altered version of their voice is then delivered back to the child through the specialized Tomatis headphones, allowing them to gain full control of their voice – further developing speech and language, communication and reading and writing difficulties among others.

Day to day…

On an average day the children arrive at Cluas and are brought to thier therapy room. They are then given thier headphones (through which they recieve thier Tomatis programme). While they are wearing the headphones they are engaged in constructive play activities lead by our team of Listening Therapists. The children will be in a small group setting organised according to age and ability. While the childern are wearing thier headphones they are able to talk and interact with the other children and Listening Therapists

At the Cluas Centres, which are Registered Tomatis Centres, Tomatis therapy has helped many many children overcome their developmental difficulties allowing these children to reach their potential, and flourish as individuals.