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Date of Graduation
5-14-2026
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Degree Name
Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
Department
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
First Advisor
Erin Piker, Au.D., Ph.D.
Abstract
Spatial orientation is essential for effective navigation and movement, relying on the integration of sensory inputs from systems such as proprioception, vision, audition, and the vestibular system. The vestibular system, responsible for detecting rotational and linear movements, plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and spatial awareness. However, its specific influence on spatial orientation remains underexplored. This study investigates how vestibular input influences spatial orientation accuracy by examining participants' ability to estimate angular displacement during rotational stimuli. Twenty participants underwent testing using a rotational chair, with stimuli at varying rotational amplitudes (5-400 degrees). Along with their perceived angular displacement (i.e. spatial orientation), participants’ spatial orientation was compared to the actual displacement of the chair to assess potential errors. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA analyzed spatial orientation and errors across the different rotational amplitudes that were grouped based on size of the rotation into either small, medium, or large rotations. Results showed that participants’ perception generally aligned with the rotational amplitudes with some over- or under-estimating the actual rotational amplitude. Further, an increase in estimation error was observed with larger rotational amplitudes relative to smaller rotational amplitudes. This study's findings may provide new insights into the role of the vestibular system in spatial orientation and highlight factors affecting its accuracy, with implications for a better understanding of balance and spatial orientation. Limitations include a lack of participant diversity and cognitive assessments. Future research should address these factors to further explore the vestibular system's contribution to spatial orientation.
