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Auditory Integration Training
• I can’t seem to pay attention when someone is teaching me something -
attention and concentration
• When other people are talking I can’t seem to attend to what I am
doing - ability to filter out background noise
• Certain textures just drive me crazy so I can’t have them touch me -
efficient sensory processing
• I just can’t seem to pronounce the words right - speech,
vocabulary, and language skills (grammar, syntax, concepts)
• I can read the words, but then have no idea what I have just read -
reading fluency and comprehension
• I just feel so unsure of myself when ever I am around other people -
self-confidence and socialization
• So many people say that they can’t read my handwriting -
handwriting, drawing and coloring
Imagine not being able to hear from both ears at the same rate, or
hearing sounds at frequencies several times louder then others would
hear them or maybe even hearing some frequencies much better than
others. What if when you heard someone speaking it sounded garbled or
delayed or maybe so loud that you couldn’t stand listening to them.
That is what it is like for may people who end up with labels such as:
• learning disabled,
• ADD/ADHD,
• dyslexic,
• hyperactive,
• autistic or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Others might be seen as having a central auditory processing
disorder, sensory processing disorder, or pervasive developmental
disorder.
If the hearing in one ear is different from the other, the person may
have auditory processing problems. This lack of coordination between the
ears can make it difficult for someone to follow directions, comprehend
what they hear or what they read, and put their thoughts into words.
Difficulties in the above mentioned areas can then be interpreted as
behavioral problems, laziness, or even defiance because it is easier to
give
What is Auditory Integration Training?
Auditory integration training (AIT) is an intervention to correct or
improve auditory hypersensitivity, distortions, and delays in the
signals that interfere with an individual's ability to process auditory
information normally. Inconsistencies and distortions in the way sounds
are perceived can make it difficult to interpret auditory stimuli.
Auditory Integration Training efficiently retrains a disorganized
auditory system and improves hearing distortions and sound sensitivity.
What is the process that one goes through?
Making the decision to go through AIT is a big deal. It will take a
commitment from both the individual and their family, but is something
that everyone involved will reap the benefits from for years to come.
The program runs for 10 consecutive days and requires three audiograms
to be obtained, one before, during, and after the training. At each
session participants will listen through headphones to modulated music
on an auditory integration training device for 20 sessions of 30 minutes
each, for a total of 10 listening hours, over 10 consecutive days, under
the direct supervision of a Berard AIT Practitioner. This breaks down
into two thirty minutes sessions, for ten consecutive days, with
audiograms performed before, during, and after.
What happens after AIT?
Reports from participants vary on how soon changes are noticed. Some
have observed positive changes during the actual 10 day training program
while others do not notice changes until a week, month or several months
later. In some cases, progress may be subtle in the beginning and then
become increasingly apparent as time goes by.
In the case of children going through the program, parents often report
a reduction in behavioral outbursts, sound sensitivity, echolalia,
hyperactivity and impulsivity. Parents also observe in their children an
increased ability in following directions, paying attention,
speech/language skills, increased socialization, cooperation,
self-confidence and independence. Improvements in sensory processing,
with a decrease in episodes of sensory overload are also typically
reported by parents.
Once the cause of the auditory processing or hearing problems are
corrected - such as hearing distortions, hypersensitive hearing,
hyposensitive hearing, sound sensitivity - then other therapies and
educational programs become more effective in producing changes that
enable the individual to achieve a new level of success. Since it is
quite common for families of someone who struggles with an auditory
processing disorder, to all be affected in some way, supportive
psychotherapy is offered for those who wish to work on getting the rest
of the family dynamics balanced.
Who is a Candidate for Auditory Integration Training?
Individuals with learning and language disorders, sensory processing
disorders, attention deficit, dyslexia, pervasive developmental disorder
autism, central auditory processing disorders, and hearing sensitivity
can all be successful candidates. The minimum age is 3 years, and no one
is too old.
Many adults have made it through life with the above mentioned struggles
without ever being “diagnosed”. That is perfectly fine as not diagnosis
is necessary to participate and no diagnosis will be given if one should
choose to participate. This program is an educational program and
therefore can not be put through insurance. One very important benefit
to that is…NO diagnosis needed.
Investing in someone you are about!
The cost is $1200 for the ten day AIT program.
The exam from the audiologist will also need to be obtained. The cost of
this will vary from situation to situation due to differing co-pays,
audiologist etc. I can recommend an audiologist for those who don’t have
one that they already work with or are unfamiliar with the AIT process.
Included in this price is an initial phone consultation (in office or by
phone), as well as one at the conclusion of the program, aftercare
information, availability for follow-up monitoring for 6 months. If a
second family member would also like to go through the program the cost
will be $1000.
This program is an educational program and therefore can not be put
through insurance.
Financial considerations should not be an obstacle to obtaining this
important educational service. Some school systems have funded AIT
programs as an educationally related service, while other possible
sources of funds are fraternal organizations, civic organizations,
churches, family members, and disability service organizations.
Are there any risks associated with AIT?
There is no evidence to indicate that Auditory Integration Training is
harmful in any way. No drugs and no surgery are involved with this
method. The volume of the music that is listen to can go no higher then
what is deemed safe for the ear. This is a safeguard of the Earducator
that is used in the process.
Who developed AIT ?
Berard Auditory Integration Training or Berard AIT was developed by Dr.
Guy Berard, an otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat or ENT physician)
in France. Dr. Guy Berard originally invented AIT to rehabilitate
disorders of the auditory system, such as hearing loss or hearing
distortion (hypersensitive, hyposensitive, or asymmetrical hearing).
After 35 years of clinical practice and study, Dr. Berard determined
that, in many cases, distortions in hearing or auditory processing
contribute to behavioral or learning disorders. In the large majority of
Dr. Berard's cases, AIT significantly reduced some or many of the
handicaps associated with autism spectrum disorders, central auditory
processing disorders (CAPD), speech and language disorders, sensory
issues including auditory, tactile or other sensory sensitivities (hyper
or hypo), dyslexia, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), attention
deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression.
Anyone interested in learning more about this program feel free to
contact me at smcduffie@diversifiedpsychotherapy.com or can call me at
203-729-9846.
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