[access-uk] How the blind can use sonar to 'see' like a bat
- From: "Derek Hornby" <derek.hornby_uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 20:28:41 +0100
I thought this may be of interest
How the blind can use sonar to 'see' like a bat
Daily Telegraph 21 May 2013
BLIND and visually impaired people can locate objects by listening to
echoes,
just as bats and dolphins do, scientists have discovered.
The built-in sonar may also help them with finding their way and with
general
spatial awareness.
Researchers at Southampton University devised experiments with both sighted
and
blind people in a chamber where other sounds, such as the footsteps of
people
placing the objects, were eliminated.
They found that blind people were able roughly to find objects from noises
bouncing off their surface, while sighted people with good hearing showed
potential to do so with practice. They tried sounds of different pitches and
durations and discovered that some worked better than others and that it was
more dif-ficult when the person was not facing the item, or it was further
away.
Dr Daniel Rowan, the lead author, said: "Some people were better than others
but
being blind doesn't automatically confer good echolocation ability. Ability
probably gets even better with extensive experience and feedback."
The researchers hope to develop training programmes and devices to help the
blind as well as sighted people in situations where their vision is reduced.
The study was published in the journal Hearing Research.
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