AIT was developed in response to the theory that the sound sensitivity and consequent behavioural disturbance in autism could result from hearing disturbances. AIT involves the child/adult wearing earphones attached to a machine with a variety of auditory filters that allow the sound emitting from the machine to be modified for individuals. The machine filters and amplifies specially selected music as necessary and sends the music to each ear independently. Although not widely available, some research suggest that structure listening and AIT appears to help in reducing sound sensitivity in many, but not all, children who are sound sensitive. AIT is also called the "Tomatis Method" and "Auditory Stimulation".
(AIT) A therapy for Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) and autism in which the client listens to a specially selected series of sounds and music in an effort to "retrain" the hearing. The theory is that autistics are hypersensitive to certain pitches and that this technique can reduce that sensitivity.
An experimental procedure for reducing painful hypersensitivity to sound. It has proved beneficial for some people with autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
A controversial form of sensory integration therapy intended to reduce distortions in hearing or sensitivity to certain sounds and to improve listening and speech skills. Treatment consists of listening through headphones to special audio tapes.
Auditory integration training (AIT) is a program designed to treat auditory processing disorders (APD) (previously termed central auditory processing disorders or CAPD). AIT is an intervention that aims to help an individual make the most use of his or her residual hearing, and so improve the ability to understand speech and sounds in the environment (Davis 1999, 189). AIT typically involves 20 half-hour sessions of listening to specially modulated music over a 10- to 20-day period.