Blind People Use Echo Location

[Alpha]

Now, most of us are familiar with animals such as bats and dolphins using echo location to help them navigate their way through their environment. But... people as well?

I was watching Ripley's Believe It or Not today and saw Daniel Kish who's been blind since the age of one was riding a bike down the street, clicking his tongue and navigating through the street. He was also helping other blind people in mastering the technique and also taking them out for dirt biking. I thought it was amazing to see blind people riding bicycles^_^.

Thoughts, opinions?

[Blackava]

Sadly not something human's can "perfect", although in rare casing the echolation can be used(not well) due to the strengthing of nerves or greater brain dedication due to loss of vision. It would be something that can be improved upon, but will never be a sub for eyes. Im sure there are some scientists working on improving this technique but it won't ever be mastered.

[Lilith]

that sounds pretty awesome. theres no way i could ever detect anything from the sounds i make. i'd love to see a video of this where they test the person by changing some obstacles in front of him and watching him navigate through it. it'd be freaking awesome. lol

[Alpha]

Originally Posted by Blackava

It would be something that can be improved upon, but will never be a sub for eyes. Im sure there are some scientists working on improving this technique but it won't ever be mastered.

I realized that but I'm moreso focusing on the fact that there was a technique developed in the first place :P. As for anyone or any creature that yearns and does adapt to their environment, it was interesting enough to see a blind person on a bike in the first place, no?

Originally Posted by Lilith

that sounds pretty awesome. theres no way i could ever detect anything from the sounds i make. i'd love to see a video of this where they test the person by changing some obstacles in front of him and watching him navigate through it. it'd be freaking awesome. lol

I never thought of that but that would totally rule if they could do that O_O. I wonder how much more developed human echolocation can get :P.

[Matthew]

I thought bats use Echo Location, and we humans use our eyes. But since these are Blind people I would say it is in no doubt that the fact that they use echo just like bats. Dang! Know I'm confused.

[Omega]

Originally Posted by Blackava

Sadly not something human's can "perfect", although in rare casing the echolation can be used(not well) due to the strengthing of nerves or greater brain dedication due to loss of vision. It would be something that can be improved upon, but will never be a sub for eyes. Im sure there are some scientists working on improving this technique but it won't ever be mastered.

How do you know this, or is this just an opinion of yours?

The only thing I agree with is that it will never be a substitute for eyes, but then again echo location is for those that cannot see, so the difference is obvious.

Originally Posted by Matthew

I thought bats use Echo Location, and we humans use our eyes. But since these are Blind people I would say it is in no doubt that the fact that they use echo just like bats. Dang! Know I'm confused.

What's confusing about the words, human....echolocation. I'm confused at your post.

-----------------------------------------------------------

My response, as Blackava noted, never going to be a new set of eyes, but at the same time awesome functionality and another chance for them to come closer to a normal life. I think it's great and had never heard of it until this. Being blind was probably my biggest fear growing up, I'd give up smell before blind, and maybe even a few other things, but blind was always the worst for me. But then again I have contacts and eyeglasses so that might have something to do with it.

Very interesting information here.

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by Omega

What's confusing about the words, human....echolocation. I'm confused at your post.

It's not that I'm confused with the words, Its the fact that my science teacher really needs to go back to school. I can understand the use of human's using Echo location (DareDevil). But i always thought that since bat's were blind or couldn't see they had something like a "echo" screech or something in which it would bounce off, and or something.. Anyway you and me, omega.. we're both confused.

[chien_fu]

Originally Posted by Lilith

that sounds pretty awesome. theres no way i could ever detect anything from the sounds i make. i'd love to see a video of this where they test the person by changing some obstacles in front of him and watching him navigate through it. it'd be freaking awesome. lol

Check this out:

YouTube - Ben Underwood Intro Video

Ben Underwood is very good at this.

And I have started a blog about my endeavors of trying to learn echolocation. If anyone wants to learn a little bit, or help me to learn I would encourage you to check it out as well: Learning Echolocation

Originally Posted by Blackava

Sadly not something human's can "perfect", although in rare casing the echolation can be used(not well) due to the strengthing of nerves or greater brain dedication due to loss of vision. It would be something that can be improved upon, but will never be a sub for eyes. Im sure there are some scientists working on improving this technique but it won't ever be mastered.

By the way... define "perfect"