Optometry Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Optometry, including details on myopia, optometric practice, therapy.

Adaptation minimizes distance-related audiovisual delays.

Heron J, Whitaker D, McGraw PV, Horoshenkov KV

Department of Optometry, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK. j.heron2@bradford.ac.uk

A controversial hypothesis within the domain of sensory research is that observers are able to use visual and auditory distance cues to maintain perceptual synchrony--despite the differential velocities of light and sound. Here we show that observers are categorically unable to utilize such distance cues. Nevertheless, given a period of adaptation to the naturally occurring audiovisual asynchrony associated with each viewing distance, a temporal recalibration mechanism helps to perceptually compensate for the effects of distance-induced auditory delays. These effects demonstrate a novel functionality of temporal recalibration with clear ecological benefits.

Published 13 November 2007 in J Vis, 7(13): 5.1-8.
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