Tomatis Frequently Asked Questions

Training sessions are very intensive and we think it is more efficient to let professionals practice for at least 6 months between each level. That way they can come to the next level with some experience which helps them assimilate our training materials and processes.

All the Tomatis^® parameters are present from the beginning but they are preset at the first level of training and then practitioners are taught how to use each parameter in a stepwise fashion.

In order to respect the will of Alfred Tomatis and to protect/preserve the authenticity and effectiveness of his Method, professionals have to agree and pay a license fee to access its intellectual property rights. In return, they are trained and they can use certified equipment as well as receive professional assistance.

TalksUp^® is the most advanced Tomatis Electronic Ear System. It is equipped with all the parameters of a traditional Electronic Ear but it is more precise and powerful.  The equipment of Alfred Tomatis used to function with analogical cassettes, which is no longer possible. See the difference between analogical and digital equipment.

It is possible that our company hasn’t had a chance to engage and properly explain and demonstrate the Method in some countries, creating some sort of controversy. We are working very actively to reach out to everybody and making sure that the proper information is shared amongst professionals around the world).

Yes. All of them are accredited Tomatis^® professionals

Although 300 new professionals are trained each year, some countries only have a few certified professionals. If you do not have the opportunity to follow a Tomatis^® program, you can purchase the Forbrain^® headset at www.forbrain.com. It is an effective tool for neurosensory stimulation. You can also contact a professional who could move or do remote maintenance. Note that at the end of the interview, you can track your listening sessions at home with a compact and portable device called TalksUp^®. Finally, you can share our information with your current therapist so he/she can consider getting training and becoming one of our professionals.

We have more than 2,000 professional profiles. We recommend that you select the profile based on the following criterias:

• Expertise -- The one who best fits your needs and profile.
• Location – Note that most Tomatis^® professionals offer home-based sessions.
• Pricing – including tests, assessment, passive and active sessions.
• Tomatis^® level of training. To learn more about levels, click here 

No, except from private insurance in some countries (Belgium and Switzerland)

No, the Tomatis^® equipment (TalksUp^®) cannot be bought by individuals. Only trained and licensed professionals can use it. However, families can buy the Forbrain^® headset as a complementary tool to a Tomatis^® program. For more information, please go to www.forbrain.com  

The cost varies from one Tomatis^® professional to another. This price difference is explained by various factors, such as location, specialty or professional training and the type of support offered in parallel with the Tomatis^® Method.

Price is of course an important selection criteria, but we recommend you first to choose the professional whose initial specialty is most adapted to your problems or your child. Wherever possible, this should always be your first choice criteria.

You need to be relaxed while doing sessions. Avoid any activity that you feel is stressful.  You can do any other activities that are relaxing (e.g. puzzle, drawing, cleaning, walking…) 

Avoid watching screens (TV, computer, phone and IPad). You should not eat or chew gum.

The Tomatis^® Method is a stimulation program. It is designed to educate the brain to better process sensory information. As with any educational approach, it needs to be repeated to be properly integrated and assimilated by the brain. Because sessions are intensive, it is important to take breaks to avoid counter-productive stimulation.

A typical Tomatis^® program consists of three training periods of 10 to 13 days. Sessions are 80 minutes (maximum) a day. For some profiles it can be much less. Breaks between training periods are 4 to 8 weeks.

In the beginning, sessions are mainly passive (listening music) then you will progressively integrate active sessions (speech and language exercises).  

80 minutes listening session each day seems to be long for children and even some other people. That’s why the professional can adapt the protocol based on the profil. That said, most of the time parents overestimate the negative reaction of their child. During the sessions, children typically have a lot of fun as they are living in their own gentle sound universe, which most of them enjoy.   

The Tomatis^® professional is encouraged to use the assessment tools he/she commonly uses outside of the Tomatis sessions. Depending on his/her profile, he/she is trained to use specific tests and tools. He/she can also use predesigned Tomatis^® learning tests (such as the TED) and the Tomatis^® Listening Test System to help to evaluate improvement. 

No. Some people can feel like they have lost some progress during and even between sessions. The brain might protect itself against even gentle stimulation. For this reason, it is important to follow the protocol designed by your professional and to ask support from him/her at any time you feel it is necessary. The results obtained with the method Tomatis^® are sustainable. In some cases, this permanence may not be systematic.

Although some people perceive the effects very quickly, within a few weeks or even a few days after the beginning of the sessions, the Tomatis^® Method is an intense program and it is important to fully follow the protocol to obtain stable and long-term results.

Yes, and many studies show it. The impact of the Tomatis^® Method will depend on you or your child’s profile. Nevertheless, here are some common factors that will impact any outcome:

• Motivation: The Tomatis^® Method is designed to stimulate the brain and it is important that you or your child continue with the listening sessions. It requires an important personal investment.  For this reason, it is important not to force sessions on children or teenagers who are reluctant to participate. At the same time, it is important that you understand why you or your children are using the Method and how it will help.
• Age: It is more efficient to use the Tomatis^® Method with young people due to brain plasticity. Nevertheless, there is no age limitation.
• Support: It is important to get support from professionals during sessions. 
• Follow-up: It is important to follow all the recommended sessions and not stop before the end of the overall program (at least 2 sessions). 

Tomatis^® professionals work with specific devices and are trained for them. 

The TLTS (Tomatis^® Listening Test System) enables professionals to determine the listening profile of their clients. 

The Electronic Ear has considerably evolved since it was created. Some Tomatis^® centers are equipped with TAP (Tomatis^® Audio Pro), which is an extremely complete device for centers. The miniaturization of this technology gives birth to the portative device called Mini and then Solisten. At last, TalksUp comes from the latest Tomatis^® research. With an innovating and powerful technology, TalksUp^® is the most effective device for your Tomatis^® sessions at home. 

Please note carefully that only these devices are certified by Tomatis^®. 

We cannot list all the derivative approaches of the Tomatis^® Method. Most of the time, those derivative approaches use only a few of the Tomatis^® parameters such as Mozart's music, the bone conduction headset or high filters. The Tomatis^® Method is a complex program which cannot be reduced to a few parameters.  

Note that the Tomatis^® Method requires proprietary equipment and a specific training, and only professionals listed on www.tomatis.com can represent themselves as a “Tomatis^® professional.”   

The Tomatis^® Listening Test System is not a medical device and is not designed to establish a medical diagnosis. It is designed to help Tomatis^® professionals evaluate the listening profile of someone by assessing his/her ability to process and analyze sounds. It is a training tool and needs to be complemented by other standard assessment tools.

With Music therapy, music itself is a way to engage the patient in the process of emotion and creativity. With the Tomatis^® Method, music is a source of energy to activate the Tomatis^® parameters including sound contrast effects called the “Gating^®.” 

Pre-recorded music played on CDs, Ipods, and MP3 players does not allow for the processing of sounds that create the Tomatis^® effect. The Tomatis Effect requires proprietary equipment to process music and voice with specific parameters such as the “Gating” and specific “Delays.”

The music of Mozart is just one of several Tomatis^® parameters. This music is used because it is very rich in harmonics which facilitates the processing of the Tomatis^® Effect. In addition, Mozart's music is appreciated worldwide.

Yes. The Tomatis^® Method is a complementary approach which helps the brain to integrate the actions of different therapies. Because the brain can process sensory information more effectively, you can use the Method while in physical, occupation or speech therapy.

In addition, the use of the Tomatis^® Method is never grounds for stopping other therapies or treatment.

While it is recommended to start sessions as early as possible, a professional will need to adapt the session protocols for infants. 

Yes. If your hearing loss is less than 80% you can still use the Tomatis^® Method. We recommend an initial visit with an ENT and/or Audiologist before starting a Tomatis^® program. 

Please note that the Tomatis^® Method is not designed to restore hearing but to help listening. Indeed, there is a huge difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is the ability to receive sounds while listening implies the ability to correctly analyze those sounds. One is a passive action while the other is a cognitive function.

Each Tomatis^® professional is trained to evaluate whether the Tomatis^® Method is appropriate for you or your child based on an assessment profile. As a natural and non-invasive program, the Tomatis^® Method protocol has no specific limits and so while there is no harm that can come from using the Method, in certain cases it may be not be helpful and therefore not appropriate.

In case of severe disorders or specific challenges, it is recommended that the Tomatis^® Method is supervised by a relevant, licensed health practitioner. The Tomatis^® Method is a complementary approach and should not be used exclusively.

Yes, the Tomatis^® Method is a natural and non-invasive educational program. It stimulates the brain through gentle sound effects. It is safe and not painful.