The workings of the deaf brain
14 January 2009
This week, BBC TV's See Hear took a journey into the workings of the deaf brain - conducting fascinating tests and talking to experts in the field about their latest research, including scientists from the UCL Ear Institute funded by Deafness Research UK.
With around 100 billion neurons transmitting and processing information second by second, the brain is possibly the most complex organic form in the universe.
Our brains are pre-programmed when we're born but they're also shaped by our experiences. Since deaf people's experience is different to hearing people's - does that mean we think differently?
The programme found out if BSL is processed in a different way to hearing language. It explored how our brains can be flexible and test whether deaf people have a different visual perception, different sensory perception and even an entirely different way of remembering. And asked - is there is such a thing as a deaf brain?
It was broadcast on BBC2 at 1pm on Wednesday 14th January 2009, and is available on BBC iPlayer until 21st January.
