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What Is AIT: Berard Auditory Integration Training (Berard AIT)?
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Facts for Parents About Berard AIT

• The cost for Auditory Integration Training sessions typically ranges between $1,200 to  $2,000 (in the USA) depending on your geographic location and the AIT Practitioner used.
• Any required audiological tests are usually completed at an additional, separate fee.
• Auditory Integration Training is considered to be an educational intervention.

2. Insurance Coverage and Auditory Integration Training
Read more about Insurance and Berard AIT

• Auditory Integration Training is an educational intervention.
• Auditory Integration Training is not a medical intervention and is not therefore not intended to be covered by medical insurance.
• Any Auditory Integration Training Practitioners who bill insurance or encourage Participants to submit bills to insurance for Berard AIT are violating the principals of Berard AIT, their certification instructions as a AIT Practitioners, well as professional ethics.

3. How Does Berard Auditory Integration Training Work?
Read also "Auditory Integration Training and the Brain".

• Dr. Berard developed a scientific method of retraining the ear's acoustical reflex muscle - known also as the stapedius muscle so that the Participant will be able listen and to process sounds more normally without distortions and delays.
• Auditory Integration Training is also documented to improve the flow of blood to the brain.
• Auditory Integration Training is based on Dr. Berard's theory that the use of his specifications to electronically modulate and filter selected music retrains the ear and auditory system to work properly.  
• Dr. Berard discovered that hypersensitivity, distortions and delays in the auditory signals contribute to inefficient learning.

4. What Does Auditory Integration Training (Berard AIT) Accomplish?

• Auditory Integration Training retrains a disorganized auditory system.  The end result is that there is a more efficient processing of auditory information as a result of the 10 day Berard AIT program.
• Once the cause of the hearing and auditory processing problem is corrected, all therapy and other educational interventions can often become more effective.  Changes can then occur that enable the Participant  to achieve at a higher level.
• The Auditory Integration Training has over 30 years of scientific research and there are 28 clinical studies in the USA documenting its efficacy.
• The human body is constantly impacted by internal and external sound stimulation and vibrational energy.
• Each organ in the human body responds to a different sound frequency. When the listening process is not working properly, it can interfere with our entire system, our overall health and our ability to function in harmony.
• The way our bodies respond to and process sound and vibrational energy affects us deeply.  
• Sound and frequency impacts our overall health, mood, energy level, alertness, attention span, focus, concentration, information processing and how we express ourselves, both verbally and in writing.

5. Important Berard Auditory Integration Training Protocols to Know

• Auditory Integration Training is designed to be a comfortable, pain free, non-invasive and pleasant experience.
• Berard AIT is Non-Medical: Auditory Integration Training devices are not considered to be medical devices, they are not under the jurisdiction of the FDA.
• Age Minimum: The Berard AIT protocol requires that the minimum age for participation is three (3) years old.
• Maximum Age: there is no maximum age for Berard AIT.

6. Current Devices Used for Auditory Integration Training
Read more on AIT Devices (Images copyrighted © 2006 AIT Institute)

The Earducator device is used by certified Berard AIT Practitioners worldwide for Auditory Integration Training.  This device has been used since 1998 and was  approved by Dr. Guy Berard for use in his AIT method. Purchase of this device is only made available to trained and certified Berard AIT Practitioners. Music used with the Earducator  is selected by the Practitioner from an approved AIT music list.

The Digital Auditory Aerobics (DAA) is another device also used by many certified AIT Practitioners worldwide for Auditory Integration Training.  The DAA device works on the same exact principles as the Earducator, but provides Practitioners with easier clinical use because the 20 CD's for AIT sessions, each containing licensed music licensed. The music has a wide frequency spectrum and, during the recording process, it is randomly modulated so as to be an exact replication of the output produced by the AudioKinetron.

7. Volume Levels Used During Auditory Integration Training

• The volume of the music used for Auditory Integration Training is set well under the safety guidelines established by Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
• The 85 dBA level for a total of one-hour per day is well below the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) guidelines for non-hazardous noise levels.
• The OSHA Noise Standard permits exposure to an average noise exposure of 85 dBA for eight continuous hours.
• Earducator Device: there is a safety that keeps its "average maximum output" from exceeding this level of 85 dB. Berard AIT Practitioners using the Earducator equipment are trained to keep the volume at 65 for 3 year olds.
• Digital Auditory Aerobics (DAA) Device: for special needs children 3 and under 4, a separate port is set to a maximum of 65 dB. 
• For a child 4 years and older through adults, the best effect from Auditory Integration Training will be achieved at a setting that is comfortably loud for that individual.
• The AIT Practitioner will set the volume at a level that is "comfortably loud" for the listener.
• AIT Practitioners along with Parents need to watch the Participant for signs of discomfort if a Participant is unable to to verbalize this to the AIT Practitioner.
• As the sessions progress, the AIT Practitioner will attempt to increase the volume always maintaining a volume that is "comfortably loud" for the Participant.

8. Number of Berard Auditory Integration Training Sessions

• Berard protocol requires a total of 20 sessions. 

• Each Auditory Integration Training session is 30 minutes per day, two (2) times per day with a minimum of 3 hours in between listening sessions.

• Berard protocol allows that the 20 sessions may occur either:

  • over a 10 consecutive day period
    OR
  • the 20 sessions may occur over a 12 day period which includes 5 consecutive days, then a 2 day weekend break, followed by another 5 consecutive days.

9. Ear Check and Audiological Testing for Auditory Integration Training
Read More About Audio Testing

The Ear Check and Audio Tests for Auditory Integration Training are done to determine the true nature of a Participant's hearing. 

• If a Participant is able to cooperate with such tests, they are the basis for determining if filters - if any - will be used during Auditory Integration Training sessions.
• It is recommended that the ear health check be only a few days prior to Berard AIT.
• It is recommended that audio tests be done within 7 days of beginning Auditory Integration Training.
• The closer the audio testing is done to the beginning of Berard AIT, the better.

• In most cases, children under the age of 5 and those with special needs may have difficulty cooperating with the tests due to the nature of the audio testing required to use filters.
• those for whom a valid test can NOT be obtained for Berard AIT, the Berard protocol used without filters has been scientifically proven to still be very effective, viable and helpful as an intervention.

If a Participant gets an fluid in the ear or an ear infection during Auditory Integration Training sessions must stop immediately!

• Ear Health Check: Be sure to consult a qualified health care professional before beginning Auditory Integration Training listening sessions to have the ears checked thoroughly.

  Ear Infections: Auditory Integration Training must not be conducted if the Participant has an ear infection, or a perforated eardrum. After the ear infection has cleared up, Auditory Integration Training can begin again.  It is usually safest to wait one month before re-starting Berard AIT.  
• Temporary Ear Tubes: Auditory Integration Training must not be conducted if an ear tube is loose. It is best to start Auditory Integration Training after temporary ear tubes are removed. 
• Permanent Ear Tubes: If permanent ear tubes are in securely, Berard AIT is permissible.

13. What May My Child Do During the Auditory Integration Training Sessions? Read Auditory Integration Training Tips for Parents

• FOOD: Absolutely NO EATING is allowed during Auditory Integration Training sessions.
• READING: Absolutely NO READING is allowed during Auditory Integration Training sessions.
• PHYSICAL CONTACT : A parent may give a back, arm, hand massage if this comforts the child.
• SLEEPING: the child should remain awake during all of the Auditory Integration Training sessions and be actively listening for the maximum benefit of Berard AIT.  Some children become very drowsy during Berard AIT session and afterwards.
• JUST LISTEN!: The child should be encouraged to SIT QUIETLY AND JUST LISTEN during Berard AIT and relax in a bean bag or other comfortable chair.

14. What to Avoid During Auditory Integration Training Sessions

• AVOID: ALL ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE ANY FINE MOTOR SKILLS.
  These activities would include such things as playing with puzzles, drawing, coloring, cutting, etc.
• AVOID: ANY TOYS, ACTIVITIES OR GAMES THAT ENCOURAGE HIGHER LEVEL THINKING.
  These types of toys would include: dolls, action figures, building blocks, Lego's, etc.
• AVOID: ADDITIONAL STRESS FOR THE PARTICIPANT.
  Auditory Integration Training should be conducted with the child under as little stress as possible.
  It is recommended that Parents discontinue or keep all outside activities including school and other therapies to a minimum during the 10 days of Berard AIT. Read Parents Tips.

• Any subsequent set of 20 Berard AIT sessions should NOT occur in less than six (6) months from the date of the completion of the previous Berard AIT session.

• Autistic Children Repeating Berard AIT: repeating Auditory Integration Training for any subsequent set of 20 Berard AIT sessions should NOT occur in less than one (1) year from the date of the completion of the previous Berard AIT session.

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