Human Dolphin
How is it possible for a blind person to know where objects are at in the world, if they can not see? Echolocation is a unique ability where surrounding objects are sensed by hearing echoes from those objects. This is how dolphins and blind animals, like bats, see. It works on the same general principle as sonar. Sound hard? It is, but there are a few unique blind humans that have this ability.
Only a few blind people have the ability to use echolocation, for total navigation. These people create sounds by tapping their canes, clapping their hands, or making clicking noises with their mouths. Echolocation is taught in schools for the blind, but most are only able to use it as a supplement to canes, dogs, etc.. Some experts believe that the ability is not really learned, but more of an extra sense, or something that a person is born with the ability to do.
Ben Underwood, is one of those people. Retinal cancer took his vision when he was just three years old, and he is completely blind. He plays basketball, rides skateboards, walks around like any other human….all without ever touching a cane. To the onlookers, nothing seems unusual about Ben…. other than the constant clicking he makes with his mouth. His pattern of mouth clicks, tells him exactly what is around him. He doesn’t just know that there is an object out there, he can even tell you what, or what kind of object it is.
The echoes Ben’s clicks produce make soft , dense, or sharp noises in his ears. If it is soft, that means the object is metal. Dense echoes indicate wood. Sharp echoes indicate glass. Ben judges distances based on how loud or quiet the echoes are.
Ben taught himself the basic echolocation skills, never really knowing anything other than it worked. However, he has perfected his skill thanks to another blind man with the ability, Dan Kish. Dan teaches other blind people to use safe echo- mobility. He earned master degrees in developmental psychology and special education.
Recently, he developed a clicking device that emits the clicks for the blind person. He also leads mountain biking trips for the blind. That’s right- mountain biking!
The human ability to adapt and overcome is simply astounding!
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Lauren | Oct 4, 2008 | Reply
This is amazing JO. The innate abilities some individuals have is astounding and it tends to set them apart from society for a reason. They have been blessed. Well done. I am widgeting this one.
Kiki Stamatiou | Oct 4, 2008 | Reply
Great article. This ability of the blind to know where they are going and what’s near and around them just by making a clicking sound with their mouth and tongue is impressive.
Take Care,
Kiki Stamatiou (Joanna Maharis)
C. Jordan | Oct 4, 2008 | Reply
That was Fascinating
Ruby Hawk | Oct 4, 2008 | Reply
I have read about this young man and it is amazing how he does it. I think most blind people develope some ability that sighted persons don’t have but this young man is outside the pale.
ebazaar | Oct 4, 2008 | Reply
Hmm..this is very interesting. I’ve never thought that a blind person have this kind of ability to adjust themselves to the environment. I’ve always thought it was mere intuition. Thanks for the exposure.
goodselfme | Oct 4, 2008 | Reply
Much insight to this person’s ability to perservere. thank you for the write.
Kim Buck | Oct 4, 2008 | Reply
This is uber cool – thanks for sharing.
Anne Lyken-Garner | Oct 5, 2008 | Reply
Wow! a super story, one I hadn’t heard of before.
NA Staffieri | Oct 5, 2008 | Reply
I’ve heard that continued training can also determine color of objects. (Not sure how true that story was.) It’s fascinating how the body can develop the senses to compensate for the loss of any one of them.
Great article, jo oliver.
valli | Oct 6, 2008 | Reply
Amazing.
CHAN LEE PENG | Oct 7, 2008 | Reply
Great article! Take care!
Scooter Penn | Oct 7, 2008 | Reply
Nice work Jo.
chloe | Oct 7, 2008 | Reply
enjoyed this article
BC Doan | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
Wow, that is a remarkable young man!
hiho | Apr 14, 2009 | Reply
It’s a fascinating topic because I’ve always been in awe of people who are legally blind and their ability to conquer their disability and live ther lifes like any seeing person.