iLs & Speech Language Pathology

Decoding, phonemic awareness, listening in a noisy environment and speaking clearly require efficient processing and storage of information. The goal is to train the ear and the brain to analyze and process sound more efficiently and accurately.

Through repeated exercises, iLs programs train one’s ability to:

  • Discriminate similar sounding phonemes
  • Process and differentiate rapid occurring speech sounds
  • Improve inflection and rhythm in speaking and reading aloud

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Bone/air conduction headphones deliver unique and efficient stimulation of the auditory and vestibular systems.  Exercises in auditory figure ground, filtered words, repeating words and dichotic listening focus on skills related to auditory processing.

The VoicePro

The VoicePro™ is an exciting and unique tool designed to help children and adults improve various auditory processing skills. The VoicePro is applied for all ages and abilities relevant to: articulation, phonemic awareness, auditory memory, auditory figure ground and dichotic listening. Therapists working with children on the autism spectrum also use the VoicePro as an effective social training tool.

Andrea Pointer, CCC-SLP discusses how iLs is implemented in her clinic, Kids Kount Therapy Services. Topics covered include how the VoicePro equipment is used within a speech therapy session, and how the integration of iLs into speech therapy fits into an SLP scope of practice.

“While all of the children showed some improvement in the other areas of auditory processing, 22 of the 29 tested at or above normal limits in ALL areas of auditory processing (auditory decoding, prosodics, integration, organization, and association) after the program…”

Aimee Levin Weiner, AuD, speaking on her auditory processing disorder study

Getting Started

  1. Watch Webinar: introductory webinars are available at no charge, please contact us at info@integratedlistening.com.au
  2. Sign up for training: training is a recorded presentation,
  3. Purchase equipment: please view our product page to get a close up, and call us to learn more about what’s best for your practice, pricing, etc.
  4. Support: Equipment and light clinical support are available at no cost via email and telephone.

Frequently Asked Questions on iLs and Speech Therapy

Why do SLPs incorporate iLs into their practice?

SLPs incorporate iLs into their practice because this therapy tool provides a means to enhance sensory input (i.e. address subcortical functions) while continuing to address targeted speech-language/voicing goals, increase attention and focus with directed tasks, enhance auditory and language processing skills, and address organizational components of speech and language. Social skills improve through the use of the microphone (Interactive Language Program) and through the interactive components of the program. The multi-tasking required with adding iLs as a therapeutic modality is more intensive within a shorter time frame and the progress is at a much faster rate. A key point to remember is iLs is not intended to serve as a stand-alone speech therapy modality; the iLs program should be used as a dynamic and integral component of the therapy.

Does iLs fit into the SLP’s ‘scope of practice’?

iLs’ three main components of receptive language, expressive language and movement may be used independent of each other or they may be used together.  iLs feels Speech-Language Pathologists incorporating iLs the receptive and expressive components into their traditional therapy are practicing within scope of practice guidelines, provided speech therapy exercises occur simultaneously.

In order to maintain records and practices within a SLP’s scope of practice, the critical documentation always focuses on progress made with regards to speech-language, cognitive-linguistic, voicing, literacy/phonological awareness, and auditory processing goals.  The focus of goals and progress towards goals should always include evidenced-based practice guidelines for each therapy session.

Based on the ASHA’s Position Statement (2005) regarding (C)APD and the Role of Audiologists, programs for treating and managing APD should

  1. Involve a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches.
  2. Service delivery should be intensive and extensive.
  3. Therapeutic approaches should take advantage of cortical reorganization and principles of neuroplasticity.

iLs is based upon the principles of neuroplasticity VIDEO.  As such, it is important that iLs programs be implemented both intensively and extensively to achieve optimal results.

Utilizing the iLs VoicePro, both bottom-up (auditory training) and top-down (i.e., cognitive, metacognitive, and language strategies) approaches are utilized.  For example, the dichotic and auditory figure ground tasks of the VoicePro incorporate a bottom-up approach.  Top-down approaches are addressed with auditory sound blending, rhyming and songs, tongue twisters, auditory associations, auditory memory and other exercises.

How do I integrate iLs into my speech practice?
  • After OT (in a multi-disciplinary clinic): Many SLPs working with OTs will begin using iLs after their OT colleague has completed the first phase of combining iLs with occupational therapy, which may vary from 10-30 sessions. This lays the foundation (i.e. improved attention, regulation and sensory processing) for the SLPs to use iLs’ VoicePro.
  • Simultaneously with speech therapy: Speech-Language Pathologists use traditional speech language therapy simultaneous to iLs’ receptive phase to address auditory processing, literacy, language, voice and cognitive-linguistic deficits. In this process, the client is wearing headphones, listening to iLs’ receptive language programs at a low volume while working with the therapist.  Sessions are the same length as the speech therapy session.
  • Expressive language exercises: Once a client has been re-introduced to language range frequencies through the receptive phase, each session can be split up to incorporate a receptive and expressive component.  The receptive component is described in the bullet above; the expressive component, iLs’ VoicePro, involves the use of a microphone and headphones for the purpose of working on voice quality, auditory memory and auditory processing-related skills. The VoicePro worksheet is utilized as a screening to gather baseline data and to record improvement.  Weak areas are targeted in both pre- recorded activities (i.e. using pre-recorded language exercises from the VoicePro i-Pod) and a natural approach (i.e. using stimuli guided by interactions between the client and therapist).
  • Supplementary home program: Many Speech-Language Pathologists recommend an iLs home program for clients who are able to utilize activities from the iLs Playbook – balance, visual, proprioceptive, etc. – on their own, simultaneous to the clinic program.  Playbook activities help reduce stress, improve self-regulation, attention, sensory processing, etc., which makes any client more receptive to speech therapy.  Note:  the iLs Playbook is not a treatment modality; it is used by Speech-Language Pathologists to supplement brain/body integration during home programs.
How do I integrate iLs into working with ASD?

We’re achieving therapeutic goals related to autism, receptive and expressive language, articulation and social skills. Learn more

iLs is based on the fact that we can change our brain – we can essentially re-wire it through specific and repeated stimulation, a concept known as neuroplasticity. iLs trains for brain/body integration through a staged approach, starting with the fundamentals of sensory integration and then extending through more complex cognitive functions, including language, self-expression and social skills.