September, 2001

Name: Mania
Gender: Female
Chronological Age: 87 years

Personal Story: Mania, Longmeadow, MA
"I found the music in The Listening Program both calming and soothing. Listening to the nature sounds, like the loons on the lake, brought back memories of paddling a canoe on the lake with my husband. I was so pleased with the higher notes (violin sounds and bird sounds). I felt that I could hear the higher sounds cleanly and sharply, as if at eleven o'clock, in my left/worse ear. It felt as though I was hearing in a portion of my brain that I hadn't registered sound in before. Not only was I more aware of higher notes and sounds around me but in my own voice as well. I have always felt that my voice was rather monotone. During the program I tried to put more energy into my speaking and noticed more lively notes in my voice! I felt that I wasn't rushing while I was listening. The measured beats in the music seemed to transfer to my thinking patterns. Later on, after listening, I felt that I needed to take my time with things. Perhaps this comes from the tempo in the music. I found myself thinking more clearly."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------