Impact of deafness on numerical tasks implying visuospatial and verbal processes

The literature suggests that deaf individuals lag behind their hearing peers in terms of mathematical abilities. However, it is still unknown how unique sensorimotor experiences, like deafness, might shape number-space interactions. We still do not know either the spatial frame of reference deaf individuals use to map numbers onto space in different numerical tasks. To examine these issues, deaf, hearing signer and hearing control adults were asked to perform a number comparison and a parity judgment task with the hands uncrossed and crossed over the body midline. Deafness appears to selectively affect the performance of the numerical task relying on verbal processes while keeping intact the task relying on visuospatial processes. Indeed, while a classic SNARC effect was found in all groups and in both hand postures of the number comparison task, deaf adults did not show the SNARC effect in both hand postures of the parity judgment task. These results are discussed in light of the spatial component characterizing the counting system used in sign language.

Automated summary

Research suggests that deaf individuals have lower mathematical abilities compared to their hearing peers. However, the impact of unique sensory-motor experiences, such as deafness, on number-space interactions remains unclear. The spatial frame of reference used by deaf individuals to map numbers onto space in different numerical tasks is still unknown. This study found that deaf adults showed normal performance in a number comparison task but abnormal performance in a parity judgment task, indicating the selective effect of deafness on different numerical tasks.