Blind Sense

Many people believe that the blind have a heightened sense of touch, hearing, taste and smell. Research reveals, however, that any enhancements in these areas are due to practice, rather than overcompensation by the brain.

Studies indicate that those with vision loss, usually have an increased ability to detect and interpret tactile information. They constantly rely on feeling the world around them. Over time, their sense of touch usually improves. When first encountering Braille, I found it difficult to distinguish the dots. Over time however, this task became second nature.

According to a recent study conducted at McMaster University, proficient Braille readers performed significantly better on tactile tasks, than their sighted peers. Study author Mike Wong asserts that these findings may assist in further developing the sense of touch.

Research conducted at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, may, yielded different results. In this study, reading Braille did not seem to impact on a person’s ability to detect tactile information. In addition, those who were born blind, scored similarly to those who lost their sight later in life.

Blind people usually have remarkable hearing. They rely on auditory information to function in society. This usually involves training their hearing, so that they can gain maximum information about their surroundings. The age at which vision loss occurs, often affects a person's ability to improve their auditory system. According to studies conducted at the Montreal Neurological Institute of Canada's McGill University, those who were born blind scored significantly higher than those who lost their sight later in life.
"What this tells us is that there is plasticity in the brain," says Dr. Zatorre. "That is, when we're young we can actually change around the way neurons work, and reorganize brain function to suit our survival needs. But as we get older, the brain becomes more or less fixed in terms of sensory perception."
Even when tested with one ear plugged in, blind people scored well. This study evidences that one sense can compensate for another.

According to a study conducted at the University of Montreal, blindness does not enhance a person’s sense of smell. Rather, those with vision loss will usually pay more attention to their perception of fragrances. The smell of freshly brewed coffee for example, will cause a sighted person to locate the source with their eyes. A blind person however, will use this smell to gain information about their surroundings.

A person with vision loss, does not have a superior ability to taste food. Rather, unsighted individuals are usually more alert to the different flavours in their mouth. Consequently, dining out experiences often produces feelings of fear, surprise, disgust or delight. A blind person, only has the smell and a few descriptive words to indicate what their meal will taste like.

Blindness does not augment the other senses. Such a phenomenon, would result in sensory overload! As those with vision loss depend on touching, hearing, smelling and tasting the world around them, these senses usually improve over time.