Exercises to improve directional sound recognition by visually impaired users heading to the workplace.

Area of Science:

• Auditory Perception
• Assistive Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Sound source determination is vital for navigation and safety, especially for visually impaired individuals.
• Existing methods for auditory training may not adequately address real-world mobility challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate sound-based exercises designed to enhance sound localization skills in visually impaired users.
• To assess the effectiveness of these exercises in improving environmental awareness and mobility.

Main Methods:

• A research app was developed with 12 sound situations (3 static, 9 dynamic).
• Ten participants with significant visual impairment and three without disabilities participated.
• Data was collected and analyzed to refine the exercise set.

Main Results:

• Six sound exercises were selected for the final set based on their effectiveness.
• The exercises demonstrated potential benefits for users in recognizing sound direction and source.
• The study included diverse sound environments to simulate real-world scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The developed sound exercises can significantly aid visually impaired individuals in sound localization.
• These exercises offer a promising tool for enhancing independent mobility and safety.
• Further research can explore app integration into daily routines for continuous skill development.