More than 20% of the population is over sixty in Europe. It is extraordinary to realise that so many people can enjoy relaxing moments full of passion and discoveries after a busy professional life. However, information needs to get through in an effective way!

It is known nowadays that the human ear is like a battery, which gives the brain and the body the energy they need. This energy is necessary to sustain thought and creativity. It is therefore essential for the ear and brain to work continuously to retain one’s attention and vigilance and remember what happens and what is said.

Seniors need to be revived constantly with a large number of stimuli, so that the billion of cells which are part of the brain can continue to function.

It is important to go through the transition from active life to retirement in a very positive way. In order to do so, it is vital to keep in good shape, physically and psychologically. It is very easy to understand why one needs to continue to walk, to run, to swim, to maintain the muscles in good shape. Yet, very few people realise that it is just as important to maintain the brain, memory, creativity alive. Listening must be stimulated to feel like reading, learning and opening up to others.

An ear which functioned well and which suddenly does not make any effort to listen will lose its abilities to listen, because the middle ear enables adaptation. When its muscles sag, the person does not listen anymore. With good training, the person will start to listen again, to hear. S/he will become dynamic again. S/he will feel like talking. S/he will pull her/himself together and her/his sleeping time will reduce. Why? Because the ear will function again as a brain ‘battery’.

• Music and the voice play an important role in these exercises of stimulation. The muscles of the hammer and of the stirrup bone in the middle ear work thanks to an electronic bascule system.
• Listening very regularly to some musical background, such as Mozart (which reproduces the rapid rhythms of childhood best), is one of the activities recommended by Alfred A. Tomatis together with reading aloud. However, nothing can replace singing. Many seniors who have attended the ‘audio-vocal course’ in our centre then join a choir for the fun of singing together, of giving concerts, of joining a group of human beings.
• Moreover, more and more people wish to learn foreign languages. They show an interest in language, communication and no doubt in the relationship with other generations. Once again, Tomatis centres prepare language integration sessions with exceptional results.
• The stimulation of the ear is always accompanied with an increase of creativity. Therefore, seniors who attend Tomatis sessions will have access to music, sculpture, drawing and any other form of art more easily. This will enable them to lead a more fulfilling life.