A comparative study of visual attention in hearing impaired and normal schoolgoing children

Abstract

Background: Enhanced visual attention is one of the major documented effects in auditory deprivation. However, in parallel, it has been shown that the congenitally deaf show deficits in their temporal processing. Aim: In this study, we aimed to study the parameters of visual attention. Materials and Methods: The speed of processing of divided attention (using the symbol digit modality test [SDMT]) and the central attention with attentional blink (AB) using a commercially available App, the BrainBaseline App. We tested these parameters of visual attention in students who are congenitally hearing impaired and those with normal hearing. Results: The measure of visual attention (error scores) using the SDMT did not show any significant differences between the congenitally hearing impaired and the students with normal hearing. However, we report significant differences in the processing speeds of divided attention and the error rates in the AB test between the congenitally hearing impaired and the normal with the hearing impaired having slower speeds of processing but making less errors in AB test. Conclusion: This finding probably indicates the redistribution or allocation of available brain resources as a result of sensory deprivation.