Listening is the ability to focus on select sounds and interpret their meaning. Even individuals with perfect hearing have difficulty with listening. True listening-understanding what is heard-occurs within the brain.

Dr. Alfred Tomatis, a French Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist, spent his career studying the ear-communication connection. His research is responsible for changing the common perception of the ear from passive recipient of sound to the body's sensory control center.

Tenets of Dr. Tomatis can be explained like this:

• The ear integrates all the sensory information the body receives.
• The brain is "nourished" by this sensory input, 90% of which comes from the inner ear.
• If the ear does not function properly, the brain cannot send out appropriate instructions to the body.
• Even the eyes rely on the inner ear to help make sense of visual images.
• Moreover, the voice can only produce what the ear perceives.

Listening and communication begins in the womb. The ear is the first major organ to develop in utero. Its development begins during the first few weeks and is complete by four and a half months gestation. Babies are born "wired" for communication.

Dr. Tomatis developed the Electronic Ear, a device designed to retrain the ear by stimulating the ear muscles and replicating soundsheard in utero. Using classical music and recordings of the child's mother's voice, the Electronic Ear fosters the ear's natural listeningfunction. In addition, the Tomatis Method employs active listening therapy and microphone work to further hone the ear-brain-voice connection.

Led by Certified Tomatis Consultant and Occupational Therapist Valerie Dejean, the Spectrum Center helps individuals overcome communication challenges through a combination of: