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Using Visual Stimuli To Investigate Cross-Modal Plasticity In The Deaf, Efterpi Marinis

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Theories of cross-modal plasticity have explored how a certain modality can be repurposed after prolonged loss of input to support remaining modalities. This present study aimed to further understand effects of cross-modal plasticity through an investigation on individuals who have experienced auditory deprivation. Prior research has shown inconsistent results about possible visual advantages which early-deaf individuals may possess. In this study, it was hypothesized that early-deaf individuals would perform better than hearing controls in specific visual tasks, due to functional reorganization of the auditory cortex. It was expected that differential activation would show in visual and auditory cortices of early-deaf …