Free and cued identification of individual odorants in blind and sighted individuals

Prior visual experience may affect olfactory identification of some odors, yet it remains unclear, whose qualities odor salience and familiarity in blindness. It seems very interesting, because such odors could be used to support the visually impaired individuals through novel solutions involving orientation navigation. Here, we analyzed performance 44 early blind 52 sighted people focusing on differences individual odorants included a standardized test (SST). We hypothesized that would outperform unpleasant smells, as these are relevant for organism protection, food given people's intense focus daily evaluation. Our study consisted cued free tasks, each comprising one part popular Sniffin' Sticks test. found no evidence enhanced smells or Overall, our research suggests impairment does not result increased skills, especially case suprathreshold task. Practical Applications Blindness is commonly associated with superior abilities, this perception might peoples' everyday functioning. assumed if certain were particularly salient identifiable blindness, tested whether results better common varying pleasantness edibility, seem human vital functions. blindness relate odors. Therefore, further exploration necessary design systems supporting functioning sensory cues.