Auditory (Integration) Training commonly known as AIT. 

This ten day treatment  was initially developed by Dr. Berard to correct his own failing  hearing.    He then used it in his practice for over 25 years to help correct the hearing distortions which he found were contributory factors in a variety disorders including dyslexia, depression and autism.

     It is now widely used in the USA and has helped many children and adults,  with difficulties relating to auditory processing, communication and behaviour.

AIT is suitable for people with varying types of auditory problems which include:

*  Hypersensitivity to sound (hyperacusis) frequently found in autism and Asperger’s syndrome as well as tinnitus.

*  Intolerance of loud sounds.

*  Distorted hearing - this includes:

    Mishearing certain frequencies - leading to confusion so that the person may mishear  or  misinterpret  the words they hear.

    Hearing better with one ear than the other so that the person has to concentrate much  harder than normal on listening to the spoken word than other people do -  particularly in noisy situations.

*   Mild hyposensitivity.

*  CAPD - thought to be a brain processing/sensory integration problem. Affected children process information more slowly than it is received, and so often fail to process everything they hear; thereby creating perceptual gaps. For some children this is indicative of a sensory integration disorder.  

AIT treatment involves listening to a variety of music that has been especially modulated. This stimulates the auditory system and effectively retrains the hearing, correcting hearing distortions and desensitizing those with hyperacusis to the sounds they were previously unable to cope with whilst increasing their tolerance of previously uncomfortable noise levels.

     Dr. Bérard’s work is discussed in his book Hearing Equals Behaviour. While some professionals remain sceptical the majority of research in this area indicates that it can be beneficial.   Much of this can now be found on the Internet - generally in relation to autism that is where it has gained most attention.

   Stella now offers Auditory (Integration) Training using the Sounds Rite System which enables treatment to be carried out in the comfort of your own home.