Carrying out the hearing training within the Training Plan
download the new "Basics" here
- the training plan is included (new 03/10)
How to use the following training tools: (RWT) Lateral trainer RWT home, (SWT)
High frequency trainer SWT home, and the exceptionally successful combination (HWT) Lateral-High frequency training
HWT home.
The therapy is done in 3 phases A, B, C. The method is a recommended but can be
varied to suit the individual situation. This is an auditory beneficial
possibility, which can be adjusted to suit all age groups. The description we
give is suited for children 4 years and over (for children 1½ - 4 years
listening times are shortened). Naturally, pre-school children are more
challenged with Phase A and school children more with Phase B, especially those
with reading and spelling problems.
hearing training can be complemented with the Threshold Level training (OS),
Synchronisation training (SY) and/or frequency training (TH) (ages 6 and
up).
Phase A: Hearing Activation
Perception and Processing in a free and creative process
Time period: 6-8 weeks, without microphone, 2-3 times daily, 10-20/30 minutes
each time. Music may already be listened to in bed in the morning or during
breakfast in your daily routine.
Many children are under emotional stress due to their problems. This is why
music can build an element of harmony into their lives.
Children can just relax while listening to music…
can be creative, like drawing or reading...
or playing games in a group setting.
While listening to music, it is important that the brain is processing internal
signals. Watching television or playing computer games should not be done at the
same time (brain is processing external signals). No pressure, no expectations
should be put on the child, whether verbal or non-verbal (emotions need to be
freed up). It may be a few weeks or months before progress is seen. (Please be
patient.)
Many children benefit from this hearing training Phase A and already show marked
attention progression, more self assurance and endurance.
Only classical music should be used, esp. from the Baroque period (Vivaldi,
Händel, Bach…) and Mozart as well as instrumental folk music, Gregorian
chants and nature sounds (has an emotional stabilising effect, light and
harmonic melody structure, promoting learning). Electronically produced music
(meditative music) is not recommended, and rock, techno and pop listened to
through head phones are forbidden.
Phase B: Speech Integration
Perception and Processing within dialogue
Time period: 6-8 weeks - with microphone. In this phase we begin to work with
speech.
Proceeding from music to speech: Before we begin with speaking and reading, the
child listens to music 1-2 times daily, then listens one time per day just to
stories through headphones. After this, work with the microphone begins (acoustical
feedback). The child hears himself/herself clearly through the headphones.
Through this, new and correct speech practices can be learned. Depending on age
and development the following possibilities exist:
Children pre-reading age:
The child describes the picture contents in his own words. Mother or therapist
give instructions, ask questions and note certain aspects of speech that occur.
Answering questions:
First the parent reads to the child, using the microphone, and then asks
questions of the child, which the child then answers into the microphone
The questions can be asked immediately following the reading, or at a later
time, (without overtaxing the child).
Children in Reading Age:
Immediate repeat:
A parent reads a sentence or paragraph, and the child repeats back or reads back
(both into the microphone).
Reading along with the book + CD:
The child listens to the whole book on the CD, chapter by chapter, and follows
the text in the book with his/her finger. Depending on the size of the book,
this may take a number of weeks.
The child then repeats (without CD) the same chapter from the beginning, by
reading from the book and speaking into the microphone. At this stage various
assignments can be built into the therapy:
reading in rhythm
searching for words with same endings
these assignments can be put together by the therapist according to the symptoms
and sent home with the child.
Reading along with the book + CD:
The child listens to the CD story, sentence by sentence or partial sentence (use
the Pause button on the Discman/CD player) and then repeats the text into the
microphone.
The child listens to a whole chapter on the CD using the headphones and reads
aloud into the microphone together with the reader on the CD. (Caution: do this
only once the reading ability of the child is up to it, since this is more
difficult).
Useful text and speech articulation:
When parents want to read to their child using the microphone:
be sure to speak slowly and clearly
use a tone of voice that is relaxed and calm
One can use purchased texts (Reading Helps: Book/CD combination). One can also
use stories, fairy tales or school materials (whenever possible on CD or the
parent reads to the child).
Phase C: Pause
Improved Perception and Processing integrated into daily life
Time Period: 8 - 12 weeks
Now that the child’s daily routine has been changed over the past number of
months comes the phase where you take a break from the hearing training.
In some cases this is where the advancement is transferred into the school area.
In most cases there will be improvements in behaviour as well as performance
already in Phase A or B. In Phase C no hearing training is done. At the beginning of
this phase, the child should be checked or tested once more. After an 8 to 12
week pause, testing and diagnosing should take place once more:
check on changes in behaviour, in school with other children/siblings
diagnostic points to be checked once more and compared to previous results
decision whether another block of hearing training needs to take place.
Training at home not possible ...
When there is no one in the home that is able to work with the child, that is,
the training as described above cannot take place in the home, another
alternative needs to be found:
