The Concept of the Auditory Training for Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Teenagers

E. Skrodzka, M. Maciągowski and A. Furmann Institute of Acoustics, A. Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań, Poland

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The paper was inspired by the hitherto published results concerning provision of efficient assistance to visually impaired persons by means of acoustic and vibratory signals. The aim of the auditory training is to shorten the time necessary for execution of auditory information processing, sensibilize blind persons to differences in sounds and teach them to focus auditory attention on small differences in parameters of acoustic waves, in order to achieve independent and correct interpretation of environment by hearing and listening. The basic concept of the auditory training addressed to blind or visually impaired children and teenagers is presented in detail. Preliminary verification of the effectiveness of training of young adults without vision impairments has not shown statistically significant differences in performance before and after the training. Possible reasons for such an effect are pointed out and solutions are suggested.

DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.125.A-31 PACS numbers: 43.66.Yw, 43.66.Hg, 43.66.Jw, 43.66.Qp