F.A.Q.s

Who is the program for?

The program is for adults and children who would have room for improvement in the areas of learning, processing and motor function. Yes, that’s pretty much all of us! See the Who Can Benefit section and the Research sections to see where we are most effective.

What age is appropriate for a iLs program?

We have worked with children as young as 22 months of age. There is no ceiling on the upper end, we have had clients in their 70’s and 80’s receive great benefit.

What is the structure of an iLs program – how long is it, how many sessions, etc.?

iLs programs are customized for specific purposes – e.g. attention, sensory motor, auditory processing, etc. You can read about the program structure in the iLs Programs section of the web site.

Why do you combine sound and movement?

We combine specifically processed music with neurologically stimulating balance and movement activities because we have found that the multi-sensory approach is most effective. For more detail on our approach and the physiology behind it, please see the Science and Who Can Benefit sections of the site – link here.

Is the program customized for different types of people?

Yes, a person with a reading challenge does not need the same program as one with a sensory motor problem, so all iLs programs are customized for specific purposes. The Equipment page explains the different types of equipment and their purposes, and the Science page explains how iLs methodology targets specific issues.

What happens if I get sick and miss a few days of the program?

No harm done. Simply repeat your last session and continue per your regular schedule.

What is the success rate of children and adults who undertake the Integrated Listening Systems programs?

The combination of clinical observation and pre- and post-program measurements allow us to say with confidence that a vast majority of our clients achieve “successful” results. (Please visit the Research section of this web site to view research results, and the Feedback section for feedback from therapists and clients.)

What is considered ’success’ in this context?

The program is considered successful when the presenting or underlying problem has been resolved or shows significant improvement. In many cases, even when the underlying problem is improved, such as a reading difficulty due to poor auditory processing, some time and training will be required for the client to catch-up to their appropriate age level. In the case of inattention, the child will show increased ability to sustain attention. With irritability and mood changes, the mood shifts are generally resolved and the person is happier.

These improvements are often life-changing. It is not unusual for clients who have seen minimal improvement in speech or occupational therapy for three to four years to see significant gains within a few weeks of the iLs program.

Are gains temporary or permanent?

Most people who complete a program do not need to repeat it to maintain their gains. Program gains typically “stick” and regression is rare. Having said that, many people can continue to see improvement by doing additional integrated listening therapy. The more severe the difficulty, the more likely one can benefit from a 2nd or 3rd program.

What is the warranty on the equipment? What happens if there is a problem?

There is a one-year warranty on the iLs sound equipment, and a 90-day warranty on the headphones.

May I eat while listening?

Refrain from eating or chewing gum while listening, as the movement of your jaw may counter the work going on in your middle and inner ear. Sipping water periodically, however, is fine.

May I walk while listening?

Absolutely, a quiet walk in nature or relaxing time at the beach can be an ideal setting for listening.

Can I benefit from a program if I wear hearing aids?

Sensorineural hearing loss can not be improved by the iLs program; however, one can see improvements in other ways with the programs (e.g. energy level, organizational skills, etc.). We recommend those with hearing aids and/or hearing loss begin the program at mid-point (Session 15 for most, Session 12 for Optimal Performance program) and continue through to the end, then repeat the same for the 2nd half. This program will focus on the higher frequency filtration level.

How often should the program be done?

The program should be done 3-5 times per week, 1 hour per session.