Does the Therapy Method of Audio-Psycho-Phonology According to A. Tomatis Meet the Criteria of Effectiveness, Appropriateness and Cost-Effectiveness?

Background: The method of 'Audio-Psycho-Phonology' (abbreviated A.P.P.), also called 'Listening Therapy' or 'Hearing Therapy' (in Germany), was developed by the ORL physician Alfred Tomatis. It focusses on the interaction of auditory, phonatory, and psychological processes. As a therapy method, it serves to treat a wide range of functional disorders of the hearing system and of the sense of balance. Legally, A.P.P. according to A. Tomatis belongs to the treatment methods of complementary medicine. As a result, it is not reimbursed by the compulsory health insurance in Switzerland but at best - partially - by voluntary supplementary insurances (according to the law of insurance contracts, VVG). The quality of complementary medical therapies is often doubted. However, the Swiss federal constitution stipulates that the treatment methods of complementary medicine must be considered. Patients and Method: In the field of statutory health insurance the standard of covering the costs of a treatment method is that it must fulfill the criteria of effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness. The following treatise scrutinizes if the method of A.P.P. by A. Tomatis fulfills the above-mentioned criteria. A retrospective progress assessment by the treated persons seemed to be the most appropriate method of assessment. Results and Conclusion: The presented results indicate that A.P.P. according to A. Tomatis meets the criteria of effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness.