Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
2
↓
Rising popularity of bat-like echolocation helping more blind people see through sound (abc.net.au)
submitted by Terry_Pie
KillerLag 6 points 5y ago
It's a controversial topic among O&M instructors, but I personally think if someone is interested and willing to put in the effort, they should try. But they also have to realize the limitations. I had a client who was interested in going to the US to get the training, and I was explaining a bit about it to him. He kept saying "But the guys says it is like seeing again!". And I explained that it doesn't reproduce sight, but can give him the ability to sense things from a distance. He did some more research and ultimately decided against the training.
My primary concern is safety, especially in regards to drop offs (stairs and streets). I've had many clients who, getting something that marginally improves their eyesight (new sunglasses, iPhone app, etc), decide they don't need a cane anymore and prompt start tripping on things. Because they believe the item has improved their eyesight significantly, although they don't understand the limitations (often when someone is still partially in denial).
That being said, I've met one person who was born without vision and uses echolocation, and his abilities were astounding. He still used a white cane, but he was able to hear hallways at a greater distance than I thought possible, and was able to avoid people well before his cane encountered them.
My primary concern is safety, especially in regards to drop offs (stairs and streets). I've had many clients who, getting something that marginally improves their eyesight (new sunglasses, iPhone app, etc), decide they don't need a cane anymore and prompt start tripping on things. Because they believe the item has improved their eyesight significantly, although they don't understand the limitations (often when someone is still partially in denial).
That being said, I've met one person who was born without vision and uses echolocation, and his abilities were astounding. He still used a white cane, but he was able to hear hallways at a greater distance than I thought possible, and was able to avoid people well before his cane encountered them.
Terry_Pie [OP] 3 points 5y ago
Thanks for sharing. If my sharing made it seem like I was promoting echolocation, then apologies, was merely doing so for interests sake.
Personally I think it is an incredibly difficult skill to build up, especially if you've lost your vision later in life. Even if you can do a bit of it, I'd never forgo your cane. Much safer to have a physical implement connecting you with the world around you in my opinion.
Personally I think it is an incredibly difficult skill to build up, especially if you've lost your vision later in life. Even if you can do a bit of it, I'd never forgo your cane. Much safer to have a physical implement connecting you with the world around you in my opinion.
affirmedatheist 3 points 5y ago
Yeah, I think ideally they’re complementary techniques, not one or the other.echolocation for longer distance things cane for closer in.
Definitely not one or the other.
Definitely not one or the other.
JustShortOfSane 1 points 5y ago
I have heard that those that do use echolocation effectively actually literally do integrate the auditory information eventually in a visual way. As in, there is no extra activation of the auditory parts of the brain, but rather, the visual cortex which was previously left sort of unused ends up taking over the role of processing. So, supposedly it does for many get to the point of literally being a conscious visual sensation, just in a different way.
But that'd be in really experienced users.
Researching about sensory substitution, sensory augmentation, and synesthesia makes more sense of it.
But that'd be in really experienced users.
Researching about sensory substitution, sensory augmentation, and synesthesia makes more sense of it.
Drunken_Idaho 3 points 5y ago
I tend to shake my head when I see these articles come around.
I've been blind since birth and i definitely do use this to some extent, but when I hear people say they can echolocate well enough to detect drop offs and trip hazards I am skeptical.
I can tell if I'm coming up on a wall or if there's an opening into a hallway or a large object, but it definitely isn't like having sight. It is certainly no substitute for a cane.
I've been blind since birth and i definitely do use this to some extent, but when I hear people say they can echolocate well enough to detect drop offs and trip hazards I am skeptical.
I can tell if I'm coming up on a wall or if there's an opening into a hallway or a large object, but it definitely isn't like having sight. It is certainly no substitute for a cane.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.