The Listening Program How TLP Works 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? 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 TLP work? 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. 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. 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. 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. This plasticity stays with us our entire lives. While it is never too late, the younger we begin stimulating the brain, the better. | 
