The extent of visual deficit and auditory spatial compensation: evidence from self-positioning from auditory cues

Brain Res Cogn Brain Res. 2005 May;23(2-3):444-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cogbrainres.2004.10.014. Epub 2004 Dec 15.

Abstract

Blindfolded sighted, myopic, amblyopic, adventitiously blind and congenitally blind humans performed a self-positioning task during which they were stimulated only by auditory cues. Results showed that visually deprived subjects used auditory cues to position themselves in their environment with a greater accuracy than normal-sighted subjects. In addition, the magnitude of auditory spatial compensation was found to be strongly related to the extent of the visual deficit.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Auditory Perception / physiology*
  • Blindness / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Orientation / physiology*
  • Sensory Deprivation / physiology*
  • Space Perception / physiology*