HEMISPHERE SPECIFIC AUDITORY STIMULATION [HSAS]
A Chance To Grow has utilized a program to assist with developing the auditory pathway so individuals with auditory processing difficulties can process auditory information more efficiently. The program is called, Hemisphere Specific Auditory Stimulation (HSAS). HSAS was founded by Dr. Kjeld Johansen, Director of the Baltic Dyslexia Research Lab in Denmark. Dr. Johansen has researched non-verbal auditory stimulation and its affects on language-based learning for over 30 years. HSAS has been in some European countries for 10 or more years. The research in Europe has focused on individuals with learning disabilities and dyslexia. We, at A Chance To Grow, have experimented on a variety of diagnoses', such as, auditory processing deficit, developmentally delay, autism, speech/language delay, etc.

THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT
To begin the initial assessment, we test the child's hearing to make sure he/she has normal hearing, as well as test for ear preference. We then test his/her auditory processing abilities with standardized tests. If we find that he/she is weak in some auditory processing areas, he/she could benefit from the program. To begin the program, we make a music tape based off the child's audiogram (hearing test). We attempt to shape an optimal hearing curve (A. A. Tomatis) by stimulating the brain so the auditory pathway can reach the maximum potential in receiving speech stimuli. The child is required to listen to the music tape through a stereo walkman for 10-20 minutes a day, 6 days a week, hopefully obtaining 25 to 50 hours at the end of a 6-month period. Hearing tests are done every 6-8 weeks to re-format the tapes to meet the new changes seen on the audiogram.A final evaluation, consisting of a hearing test and the standardized tests implemented in the initial evaluation, is administered to measure gains in the child's auditory processing abilities.

The optimal hearing curve is near the low normal hearing range for the low frequencies (background noise, fans) and the high normal hearing range for high frequencies (consonant sounds in words). The optimal hearing curve is based on the concept that we want our brains to focus more on the higher frequencies because that is where the consonants of speech are located. Consonants of speech allow us to recognize words and give words their individuality. We need to understand words in order to build our language, since words are the basis of our language. We would like our brain not to focus on lower frequencies as much, since they are generally characterized by background noise, which can power over the high frequencies and interfere with our understanding of speech stimuli.

EAR PREFERENCE
We also analyze ear preference. Considering 98% of the people in the world are left-hemisphere dominant for language, we should be right-ear dominant in listening to language. Right-ear preference would allow the information to cross directly to the left hemisphere (crossover being the natural way of brain processing) making the information to process easier. If someone displays left-ear preference, the information goes to the right hemisphere first, where the information is not recognized accurately, then must be sent to the left hemisphere to be understood. If this happens, the information can be confused or lost, because the brain needs to re-organize the information.

HSAS AT HOME
HSAS is a program that can easily be done at home. Clients can be seen on site at ACTG for evaluations or they can have the testing done in their home area. ACTG will need an audiogram (chart of hearing ability) so a tape ca,n be made for the individual. The client should also have some type of auditory processing evaluation before starting the program to assist with monitoring the changes from HSAS. Please contact the auditory department at ACTG for more information: speechclinic@actg.org.

HSAS AT SCHOOL
HSAS can also be implemented in the school setting. A training seminar is offered in the summer for school staff interested in learning how to implement HSAS with their students. Professionals who are interested in offering HSAS as a service to their clients as a home program are also eligible to receive training. In the late Fall, Dr. Kjeld Johansen presents a seminar at A Chance to Grow. All professionals interested in establishing the HSAS program in their practices or schools are required to attend this meeting. Please see MLRC for more details.

Once the professional has the HSAS training, they can do the testing and monitoring of the student or client. The ACTG staff will make the tapes for a fee and will be available for consultation. Once a professional has used the program for about 18 months and feels comfortable in implementing the program, they can receive training on making the tapes in their own setting. At this point they can rent the Master CD's used for making the tapes and purchase copyrighted tape labels from ACTG .

RESULTS
Hearing tests of a client who started the HSAS program when she was 4-7 and completed when she was 7-11. The 4 graphs are the initial, second, third and final audiograms while on the HSAS program.