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Tomatis, Autism and Sensory Integration

.......Tomatis Topics

E ar is not made for hearing

Tomatis understanding of the other functions of ear came from his understanding of the phylogeny and ontogeny of the ear. Tomatis thought it was unfortunate that the functions of the ear were treated separately as distinct from each other when actually they weren't. This was done purely for anatomical reasons because of the two distinct branches of the auditory nerve, the one corresponding to the vestibular function and the other to the cochlear function.

  • Vestibular Function
  • Energy Functions
  • Cochlear Functions
  • Verticality
  • Laterality


    The Vestibular Function

    When Tomatis examined the role of the vestibular branch of the auditory nerve phylogenetically he saw a role that the ear played that was much more basic than hearing Tomatis gave special consideration to what he called the vestibular function of the ear as the primary sensory integrator. Detects motion and gravity, and provides us with our sense of where we are in space The very core of our emotional well-being is dependent on the vestibular system. Jean Ayres said that the relationship to gravity is more primal than the relationship to mother. With Tomatis we see that they are one and the same.

  • Provides control over all motor functions via anti-gravity muscle tone, postural reactions, bilateral motor coordination, and body image Anti-gravity muscle tonus (flexion and extension) - The vestibular system particularly influences the muscle tone that helps us resist the influence of gravity Postural Support - All refined movements of the extremities and head are dependent on an adequate base of muscle tone to provide postural support. A lack of sufficient postural support can contribute significantly to difficulties in controlled movement of our limbs and tongue.
  • Equilibrium and Righting Reactions
  • Labyrinthine and Balance reactions
  • Bilateral Coordination is another function particularly influenced by the vestibular system.


    It provides the opportunity for the two sides of the body to communicate with each other at the level of the brain stem via the vestibular nuclei. In this manner it supports the ability of the body to use both sides in a coordinated manner. We see this initially when the baby starts to develop equilibrium reactions where one side of the body responds differently yet in a coordinated manner with the other side of the body. (one side reacts differently from the other) From this activity the baby develops a sense of where his center is, and then how to move around it (rotation), and across it (crossing midline). This awareness provides the foundation for the development of laterality (sometimes incorrectly referred to as dominance), and for the specialization of skills on each side of the body.

    • B ody image and motor planning Rhythm and Timing or Spatial Temporal Processing. We perform actions through space and in time. This is fundamental to motor planning. Tomatis gave special consideration to the ear as a primary sensory integrator Functional primitive brain which controls the organization of sensory information Through networks via the thalamus has a profound opportunity to impact all other sensory input Tomatis gave special consideration to the ear as a primary sensory regulator Organizes the nervous system for attention and initiates physical and mental responses Regulatory functions. Through networks via the Reticular Activating System it has profound opportunity to impact alertness and readiness for action.

    The vestibular system is a very old sensory system and was the first sensory system to develop on this planet. The vestibular system is the first sensory system to develop in the womb.

    Because of this early development the vestibular system has many connections with the rest of the brain, which develops around it; consequently it is believed to provide the foundation for many other functions.

    E nergy: Another observation of Tomatis' was that in addition to changes in voice, these individuals also suffered other consequences such as poor energy levels, poor concentration, and depression. It was thought to be secondary to the effect, their hearing loss was having on their life styles however these secondary factors also changed with treatment.

    Tomatis started to explore the "energy functions" of the ear. He recognized that sound provides the brain with a large percentage of the cortical charge that he felt was required for consciousness. When listening is faulty there is a drain on the system. By treating the ear he was able not only to restore their voice but also gave them back their energy levels and dynamism. The ear serves to charge the brain with electrical potential. The external stimuli via the ear provide the brain with a charge to the cortical battery. 60% from the body goes to the vestibular labyrinth 30% is processed from the cochlear.