Development of a Platform for the Identification and Analysis of Simultaneous Localization of Static, Dynamic, and Instructional Sound Sources in Blind Soccer

This study investigates the auditory-based spatial cognition critical for blind soccer, where players rely entirely on sound due to the absence of visual cues. Blind soccer is characterized by three distinct auditory signals: static sounds originating from fixed positions, dynamic sounds produced by the ball’s movement, and instructional sounds conveyed by guides. Recognizing these sounds simultaneously is essential for effective gameplay. Our research focuses on understanding how blind soccer players recognize these specific sound sources. We conducted an evaluation using a virtual acoustic space system enhanced with stereophonic technology to test the localization abilities for one versus three types of sound sources. The findings indicate that players with visual impairments demonstrated superior localization skills for both static and dynamic sounds compared to sighted players, whether they had experience in blind soccer or not. Furthermore, the study reveals a prioritization in localizing the ball’s sound and the guide’s instructions among the three types of sounds. This underscores the specialized auditory perception skills developed by blind soccer players, offering insights into training methods and the design of auditory-based assistance systems.