About Auditory Integration Training

Berard Auditory Integration Training (AIT) was developed by Dr. Guy Berard, a French ear, nose, and throat physician in Annecy, France, to help with his own severe tinnitus and impending deafness. When he had successfully treated himself, he turned his attention to children with autism and learning disabilities with phenomenal success.

What is AIT?

AIT uses modulated music that is personalized according to each patient’s hearing in order to retrain the auditory system, reduce hypersensitivity to specific sounds, improve sound discrimination, and assist the reorganization of the brain’s processing capabilities. Given appropriate stimulation, the neural networks in the brain can rewire to create more efficient transmission of information. See our page on neuroplasticity for more information.

Here is how the Berard Method of AIT works:

1. Evaluation: Before starting the treatment, an auditory evaluation is performed to give insight into the individual's hearing and auditory processing abilities in order to identify specific areas of concern. Note: If an individual is unable to provide feedback to complete the hearing test, the training can still be provided.

2. Customized Program: Based on the evaluation results, a personalized AIT regimen is designed to address the individual's unique auditory challenges.

3. Listening Sessions: The individual listens to modulated music that is customized for their hearing through high quality headphones during twice-daily sessions, over a period of 10 consecutive days. Each session is 30 minutes long and there must be a minimum of 3 hours in between sessions.

4. More Evaluation: Auditory evaluations are performed again before beginning day 6 of the training and the music is further customized. Follow up auditory evaluations occur at the end of the day 10, and can be performed again at the 3 month and 6 month marks post completion.