FST - Filtered Sound Training

Formerly known as AIT, now known as FST, the method was developed in the 1970s by the French otolaryngologist Dr Guy Berard for his own progressive hearing loss and tinnitus. The energy from sound is used to enable malfunctioning nerve cells to process and receive a higher quality stimulus in response to an intense stimulus. After learning about the training, Rosalie Seymour, a South African language developer and audiologist, worked in a school for children with autism. Rosalie learned from Guy Berard to make the method available to children in South Africa. The original audiokinetron was very expensive and large, and in the meantime computer technology has made it possible to use it on computers, she adapted Dr Guy Berard's method for desktop PCs. This device became the EARducator, which, because of its portability, was able to improve children's auditory perception in several areas. This device was also approved by Dr Berard and was able to replace the audiokinetron.
Currently available in Europe under the name of Filtered Sound Training is a state-of-the-art, portable solution that uses software running on a tablet to deliver 10 days of training in the comfort of children's/adults' homes.
Filtered Sound Training uses a special electronic modulation of carefully selected music to modulate the nervous system. Special software randomizes the alternation of high and low tones, which uniquely stimulates the auditory pathways.
  • The training can be started with a negative Ear-Nose-Throat report within one week 
  • From the age of 6 years, a hearing test by an audiologist or a Hearing Awareness Test screening by one of our specialists is recommended*.
  • Tailor the training program to the individual needs of each client who comes to take part of it, based on the results of the input test
  • The training lasts for 10 days. 2×30 minutes of "listening to music" per day. There must be a minimum of 3 hours break between the two sessions per day. The training sessions can be flexibly adapted to the client’s schedule.
  • During the 30-minute listening sessions, the use of entertainment electronics (TV, mobile phone, tablet, computer, iPad, Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) is prohibited. Children can use the time to draw, do puzzles or other play activities or simply relax. For adults, it is advisable to be relaxed but not asleep. 
  • During the training and for the following 4 months, it is forbidden to listen to music through headphones or earphones, or to be in noisy environments (concerts, discos, sports matches). If this is unavoidable (e.g. due to work), the use of earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones is recommended.
  • The training will also affect the vestibular fold (our balance organ is also located in the inner ear), and it is recommended to avoid movement therapies and movements/sports that affect balance for 10 days.
*The Hearing Awareness Test conducted by our professionals is NOT A HEARING EXAMINATION and is not intended to determine a person's hearing status.
If our professionals detect a discrepancy, they will refer the client to an audiologist.
The result of the audiometric test can only be interpreted by our FST specialists in terms of suitability for training and is not the same as the result of the hearing test, even though it is performed with the same device.
Hearing Awareness Test can be performed in my clinic for children over 6 years of age using a modern mobile audiometer, the Resonance R17A, which does not require a quiet room due to its advanced technology. These can be used to determine which frequencies are perceived by the sounds in order to programme the most accurate auditory attention training, which is always personalised.
The positive impact of training varies from person to person and over the time. This can happen during the active 10 days of the training, but most of the time the changes occur in the 4 months following the training.

Possible changes expected as a result of the training:

  • Improved speech perception and comprehension, resulting in a faster response to speech, fewer misunderstandings and mis-interrogations.
  • Improved verbal memory, spelling, reading.
  • It can have a beneficial effect on speech initiation.
  • Improves articulation
  • Reduction/elimination of auditory sensitivity
  • Improved attention, capacity to cope, more sense of achievement.
  • Improved balance, better tolerance of more intense balance stimuli, e.g. swinging, spinning, driving a car. As a result, motor coordination also changes.
  • The child's well-being, behaviour, cooperation and perseverance improve.