The superiority in voice processing of the blind arises from neural plasticity at sensory processing stages

Neuropsychologia
Julia FöckerBrigitte Röder

Abstract

Blind people rely much more on voices compared to sighted individuals when identifying other people. Previous research has suggested a faster processing of auditory input in blind individuals than sighted controls and an enhanced activation of temporal cortical regions during voice processing. The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to single out the sub-processes of auditory person identification that change and allow for superior voice processing after congenital blindness. A priming paradigm was employed in which two successive voices (S1 and S2) of either the same (50% of the trials) or different actors were presented. Congenitally blind and matched sighted participants made an old-young decision on the S2. During the pre-experimental familiarization with the stimuli, congenitally blind individuals showed faster learning rates than sighted controls. Reaction times were shorter in person-congruent trials than in person-incongruent trials in both groups. ERPs to S2 stimuli in person-incongruent as compared to person-congruent trials were significantly enhanced at early processing stages (100-160 ms) in congenitally blind participants only. A later negative ERP effect (>200 ms) was found in both groups. The scal...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 19, 2014·Human Brain Mapping·Cordula HöligChristian Büchel
May 23, 2015·Development and Psychopathology·Sergey A KornilovElena L Grigorenko
Feb 2, 2017·Frontiers in Psychology·Monica GoriSara Finocchietti
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Feb 6, 2020·Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics·Christine TurgeonLucie Ménard
Nov 27, 2020·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Brigitte RöderMaria J S Guerreiro

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