Our two main senses, vision and hearing, have many similarities. While we have previously explored the effects of unbalanced inputs in vision, we are now working on the effects of unbalanced inputs in hearing. Sometimes the vision in one eye is much better than the vision in the other, or likewise, the hearing in one ear is better than the hearing in the other. Measuring the poorer eye by itself does not accurately represent its natural capability because it is actually poorer when both eyes are open simultaneously.

As we age, the hearing in one ear often becomes worse than in the other. What are the consequences of this difference? In particular, does a similar thing occur in hearing as occurs in vision when there is a poorer and a better ear? When the poorer ear is measured together with the better ear, does the poorer ear perform worse than it does when measured alone? If so, then newer methods of measuring the contribution of each side under natural conditions might significantly improve overall speech perception.

We are developing better devices and better evaluative and training methods for individuals suffering from age related maculopathy (ARM). This disease may affect vision in one or both eyes. It particularly affects the vision of the elderly. Though not producing complete blindness, ARM primarily affects the central part of the visual field, which is the area with the best acuity. Patients suffering from ARM in both eyes represent a severely challenged group that is not well served by current programs to assist visual impairment.

Just as one may "feel around" with one's hands and fingers to explore an unknown object in the dark, so the eyes "feel around" with the remaining good retinal areas that surround the region of central impairment. We are exploring methods that will help those patients with severe bilateral ARM recognize their retinal areas of best visual function, (which often differ for different daily visual tasks) as well as methods that train these patients to maximize their use of these areas.

For more information, visit Arthur Jampolsky's lab web pages.

Collaborators: John Brabyn, Gunilla Haegerstrom-Portnoy, Marilyn Schneck, Jonathan Kim, Helen Simon, Erich Sutter, Brian Brown