Berard Protocol, Testing Protocol, Berard Audiogram, Auditory Integration Training, Berard AIT

If a child is able to participate in this type of testing, this is the recommended Berard Audio Test Protocol to be followed. Audiological testing is done for those Participants who can cooperate but is NOT REQUIRED in order to complete Berard AIT.

The Audio Test for Berard AIT should be administered in a quiet, but not soundproof room. (The door of a soundproof booth may be left open.)
Instructions should be simple and brief.
Many of the Participants who will be participating in this test may have auditory processing difficulties.
The preferred response for the audio test is to "Say YES when you hear the sound, and NO when you do not".
Make it plain to the Participant that you want a clear, simple, "YES" or "NO", not comments like "I think so" or "YES, but very soft".

With difficult to test Participants, such as young children or Participants with autism, or with severe attention deficits, one may have to resort to creative ways to keep their attention, and to find a response style that works for them. Placing a chip into a container is an acceptable response. Any unusual difficulty in response should be noted too, because it may reflect on the person's auditory processing.

A Note on Testing Autistic Children:

If the child cannot understand the procedure or is very anxious and stressed, discontinue testing.

Behavioral observations are not used for the Berard protocol.

A definitive, voluntary response is required.

If the individual's responses are not reliable and consistent, the test will not be able to be used for determining if filters are needed.

All eleven frequencies are to be tested in each ear.

Two Types of Testing Methods for Berard Auditory Integration Training

Method 1 (Dr. Guy Berard's Method)

Increase the loudness of the tone quickly from - 10 dB until the Participant says he can hear the tone.

Decrease in steps of 10 dB until the Participant says "NO".

Increase again in steps of 5 dB until the Participant says "YES".

Decrease again in steps of 5 dB until the Participant says no.

Cross over the threshold 3 times to check reliability.

Before starting the next frequency, reset the loudness to - 10 dB.

Method 2

The tone is presented at a moderate (35 dB) loudness, for 1-2 seconds. If the response is positive, decrease by 20 dB steps until the response is "NO".

Then present tones in increments of 5 dB steps until the response is "YES".

Now decrease by 10 dB until the response is again no. Increase in steps of 5 dB until the "YES" response is given.

Cross over the threshold three times to make sure it is reliable, and then mark on the graph the softest sound heard.

Repeat this method for each frequency in the right ear, and then begin again with the left ea

Test of Laterality (Adaptation of the Weber Test)

The bone-conductor is placed on the forehead, and the Participant is asked to point to the ear in which the sound is heard.

Set the audiometer at 40 dB for 250 Hz and at 50 dB for all the rest of the frequencies. All frequencies from 250-4000 should be tested.

Present the tone for 250 Hz and ask where the tone was heard. It may be heard on the left side of the head, in which case mark with an L. If the Participant indicates the signal is heard on the right, mark with an R. If the Participant seems to be hearing it in the middle or all over, then mark with a (O), and go to the next frequency.

If the Participant does not understand, try having the Participant cover one ear with his or her hand while he or she speaks. Ask where the Participant heard their voice: "did it seem to be in their left ear, right ear or in the middle?"

Test of Selectivity

For this test, the headphones are put on the ears again, and the Participant is asked to listen to two tones presented and say whether they are "the same", or whether they are "going higher" or "going lower".

Set the loudness at 50 dB. Present a tone of 8000 Hz in the right ear first, and tell the Participant: "THIS IS HIGH".

Present a tone of 125 Hz and tell the Participant "THIS IS LOW".

This is repeated three times, or until the Participant has understood (within a reasonable time).

Present a tone of 8000 Hz now, followed by a step down, to 6000Hz, and ask "is this higher, lower, or the same?"

The Participant's response is noted, and the next step down (4000Hz) is presented, and their response is asked.

A curved line is placed over any two frequencies that are incorrectly identified.

A SLASH is placed above each frequency that is correctly identified.

Draw a ---------- (line) throughout the Hz to indicate that testing could not be completed.

Repeat the same procedure to test the left ear.

This article was reprinted by written permission from Sally Brockett, M.S, Berard AIT Practitioner and Berard AIT Professional Instructor.

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