Original article
Effect of Tomatis Method on cognitive functions in children with speech disorders

Objectives : Audio-psycho-phonological stimulation training is a method based on listening to various musical sounds by means of a special device called the Electronic Ear. The goal of this therapy is to enhance damaged hearing and consequently facilitate greater stimulation of the central nervous system, particularly the cortex. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Tomatis method in the treatment of cognitive functions among children with speech impediments.

Material and methods : Data were collected from forty-seven children (age ranging from 3 to 15), all of whom had various neuropsychological impairments including speech impediments, which was the main observed deficit. All subjects had undergone a two-stage therapy based on the Tomatis method. Further assessment included the evaluation of such functioning parameters as time of reaction, hearing oversensitivity, verbal fluency and localizing.

Results : Statistically significant improvement of most evaluated functioning parameters including shorter time of adequate reaction to presented stimuli was observed. Not only did the participants of the study have a lower threshold of hearing sensitivity, but also their ability to localize the sources of sounds significantly improved. Furthermore, subjects’ verbal fluency was enhanced; however, the results were not statistically significant.

Conclusions : Audio-psycho-phonological stimulation training significantly improved subjects’ cognitive functioning. Its efficiency in relation to such parameters as time of reaction, localization of sources of sounds and oversensitivity to audio stimuli was demonstrated. One may conclude that the Tomatis method is a useful way to stimulate development and treat speech impediments.