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The
following notes explain iLs music processing techniques, all of which are safe and have been tested over many years of
application to both children and adults.
Bone conduction:
Most of us
are not aware of it, but we hear sounds in 2 ways – through air conduction and bone conduction. The odd sensation of
hearing our own voice on a recording and not recognising it is because on the recording we only hear the air conducted sound
of our voice. When we speak, we hear our voice through both air and bone conduction (which is why when we go to an audiologist
to have our hearing checked, a vibrator is placed on the mastoid bone right behind the ear to test our bone conduction response).
Lower frequencies in particular lend themselves to conduction by bone. These frequencies seem to have a very positive
effect on our vestibular function. The process is as natural and safe as listening to a church choir or talented baritone
voice, yet yields significant results with iLs protocols.
Frequency Filtration:
Based partly on the theory that those who can hear more of the auditory spectrum have an advantage in learning, iLs
programs employ gradually increasing filtration levels. By filtering, or letting only certain frequencies through, we are
able to selectively train parts of a client’s auditory spectrum, improving learning-related abilities such as pitch
discrimination (selectivity), sound decoding, and auditory memory.
Gating:
The muscles of the inner ear have as one of their functions the job of screening out unwanted sounds. iLs gating
separates music into 2 channels, alternating (or “gating”) them, with one channel boosting high frequencies and
the other channel boosting low frequencies as the music volume increases and decreases. This causes the muscles in the middle
ear to continuously tighten and relax, a process that strengthens them. As the muscles become stronger so does our ability
for focused listening and paying attention.
Expressive Language Training:
Audio/Vocal training is incorporated into the latter part of iLs programs once the auditory foundation is in place
to train our speaking voices. The training involves reading aloud and repeating phrases into a microphone, and then listening
to the play-back. This develops the auditory/vocal feedback loop: Is what I am saying matching what I intended to say? Am
I speaking clearly? A rich speaking voice has the natural effect of continually energising and stimulating the brain. The
audio/vocal training is also used as a means of helping those who are left-ear dominant strengthen their right ear listening
capability.
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