Reading with deaf eyes: Automatic activation of speech-based phonology during word recognition is task dependent

Literacy levels are highly variable within the deaf population and, compared to the general population, on average, reading levels are lower. As speech-based phonological coding is a known predictor of reading success in hearing individuals, much research has focussed on deaf readers' processing of speech-based phonological codes during word recognition and reading as a possible explanation for the widespread reading difficulties in the deaf population. Although results are mixed, there is recent growing evidence that deaf and hearing readers process speech-based phonological codes differently. Furthermore, some studies indicate that phonological ability may not be a strong correlate of literacy skills in deaf, adult readers. Here, we investigate orthographic, semantic, and phonological processing during single word reading in deaf (N = 20) and hearing (N = 20) adult readers, who were matched on reading level. Specifically, we tracked deaf and hearing readers' eye-movements using an adaptation of the visual world paradigm using written words and pictures. We found that deaf and hearing readers activate orthographic and semantic information following a similar time-course. However, there were differences in the way the groups processed phonology, with deaf readers making less use of phonological information. Crucially, as both groups were matched for reading level, reduced phonological processing did not appear to impact reading skill in deaf readers.