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Chennai, India – Children who partially lose their vision before the age of 10 may face significant hearing challenges, according to a groundbreaking study conducted by an international team of researchers, including experts from India’s prestigious Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital in Chennai.
The study, published in the journal Optometry and Vision Sciences, involved 52 participants under the age of 33, who underwent a series of 480 trials. During these trials, the participants were exposed to sounds emanating from distances ranging from 1.2 meters to 13.8 meters. The sounds varied between speech, music, and noise, and participants were tasked with estimating the distance from which the sounds originated.
The findings revealed a notable difficulty among children who experienced partial vision loss in accurately judging the location of sounds compared to those who lost their sight later in life. Specifically, these children tended to perceive sounds coming from close distances, up to five meters, as originating from further away. This misjudgment could significantly impact their daily lives, particularly in activities that require path planning, safe navigation, and collision avoidance.
Interestingly, the study found no significant difference in distance judgment abilities between the control group and those with late-onset vision loss. This highlights a critical distinction in how early and late vision loss affects auditory perception.
Professor Shahina Pardhan, lead author and Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), emphasized the importance of these findings. “This study is the first to compare how people with early (before the age of 10) and later onset vision loss judge the distance of sound. The insights gained can be pivotal in assessing the healthcare needs of individuals who suffered partial vision loss early in life, such as at birth or during childhood, who tend to rely more on their other sensory abilities.”
Andrew Kolarik, from the University of East Anglia’s School of Psychology, added, “This study shows that even partial vision losses can lead to changes in hearing abilities, especially if vision is lost early on in life.”
The implications of these findings are profound, suggesting that children with early vision loss may require specialized support to develop their auditory spatial awareness and navigate their environments safely. Further research and tailored interventions could help mitigate the challenges faced by these individuals, enhancing their quality of life and independence.
This study underscores the intricate interplay between vision and hearing, opening new avenues for understanding and supporting the sensory development of children with partial vision loss.
