Sensory adaptation is the process whereby sensory receptors adjust their response rates on the basis of the average amount of stimuli received. Sensory adaptation refers to the decrease in sensitivity to a stimulus after continuous exposure to it. Depending on the stimulus, receptors may increase or decrease their ability to respond, and will develop an enhanced or diminished sensitivity to the stimulus. This can occur with all of our basic five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste.
