Sound therapy is defined as "an instument for stimulating vitality and energy based on the jundamental importance of sound, hearing and the brain (Steinbach, 10). Already prevalent in Europe and Australia, the field of sound therapy has been growing rapidly in the United States as well. The basic concepts of sound therapy were developed by Alfred Tomatis in the 1940s. Tomatis' research indicated the ear, when functioning properly, had a profound impact on listening, language, and learning. He used these ideas to create a therapy-the Tomatis Method-which used sound stimuli to promote auditory development. Tomatis Method patients listen to tapes of their mother's voices and music with amplified higher frequencies, mimicking the sounds heard in the womb. As the treatments continue, the voice on the tape becomes unmasked and the patient undergoes an "auditory rebirth". In many cases, along with hearing restoration, there is significant improvement in speech, comprehension, learning, and attention.
In European nations, the most commonly used sound therapy is auditory integration therapy. This type of therapy is based on the same fundamental concepts as the Tomatis Method, but the treatment itself is much more intense. Patients using auditory integration therapy undergo two treatments a day in a clinic setting for ten consecutive days. Although the therapy has been beneficial to many people, its expense and time commitment is a drawback. In addition, for full benefits to be obtained, the therapy may need to be repeated up to twice a year. Auditory integration therapy has not established itself extensively in the United States, mainly because of political problems encountered when trying to implement the therapy. There is also some hesitancy to embrace this therapy because of the lack of scientific evidence in support of and explaining how sound therapy works.
The most recent branch of sound therapy has been Samona's Therapy. Using CDs with classical music with amplified higher frequencies, the majority of Samona's Therapy can be done at home, and only 1% of patients need to repeat the therapy. Right now, there are less than one hundred therapists nationwide, but with the increased interest in sound therapy, one can expect this number will continue to grow.
Although sound therapy has shown to be beneficial for audition, comprehension, and learning, the actual physiological processes that account for this have not been determined. Researchers have found that the auditory system has a large amount of plasticity, allowing new pathways to develop within the brain. Sound therapy has been used to treat a wide range of problems including audition, motor coordination, and attention disorders.