Underwater Acoustic Source Localisation Among Blind and Sighted Scuba Divers Comparative study
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2017, Vol 17, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: Many blind individuals demonstrate enhanced auditory spatial discrimination or localisation of sound sources in comparison to sighted subjects. However, this hypothesis has not yet been confrmed with regards to underwater spatial localisation. Tis study therefore aimed to investigate underwater acoustic source localisation among blind and sighted scuba divers. Methods: Tis study took place between February and June 2015 in Elba, Italy, and involved two experimental groups of divers with either acquired (n = 20) or congenital (n = 10) blindness and a control group of 30 sighted divers. Each subject took part in fve attempts at an under-water acoustic source localisation task, in which the divers were requested to swim to the source of a sound originating from one of 24 potential locations. Te control group had their sight obscured during the task. Results: Te congenitally blind divers demonstrated signifcantly better underwater sound localisation compared to the control group or those with acquired blindness (P = 0.0007). In addition, there was a signifcant correlation between years of blindness and underwater sound localisation (P <0.0001). Conclusion: Congenital blindness was found to positively affect the ability of a diver to recognise the source of a sound in an underwater environment. As the correct localisation of sounds underwater may help individuals to avoid imminent danger, divers should perform sound localisation tests during training sessions.
Authors and Affiliations
Jacopo Cambi| Department of Ear, Nose & Troat, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, Ludovica Livi| Department of Ear, Nose & Troat, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, Walter Livi| Department of Ear, Nose & Troat, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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- EP ID EP14769
- DOI 10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.006
- Views 328
- Downloads 19
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