Humans Learn to "See" Using Sound Waves
"Two hours per day for a couple of weeks are enough to distinguish whether you have an object in front of you, and within another two weeks you can tell the difference between trees and a pavement."
REPORTER'S NOTE: Whatever else one may make of this report, it goes to show that we humans are "fearfully and wonderfully made." I believe God has equipped us with more abilities than we imagine we possess. The fact that blind people can learn to "see" via echolocation also speaks to the rewards of practicing something until it comes to fruition. And last, but certainly not least, it is thrilling to realize that though we are unable to "see" God with our physical eyes, we are created to sense Him in our inmost being when He speaks to us. -Teresa Neumann, BCN News.
(Spain)—Science Daily reports that a team of researchers from the University of Alcalá de Henares (UAH) has shown scientifically that human beings can develop echolocation, the system of acoustic signals used by dolphins and bats to explore their surroundings. Producing certain kinds of tongue clicks helps people to identify objects around them without needing to see them, something which would be especially useful for the blind.
"In certain circumstances, we humans could rival bats in our echolocation or biosonar capacity", said Juan Antonio Martínez, lead author of the study. "The almost ideal sound is the 'palate click,' a click made by placing the tip of the tongue on the palate, just behind the teeth, and moving it quickly backwards, although it is often done downwards, which is wrong." (Photo Credit: SINC)
"Two hours per day for a couple of weeks are enough to distinguish whether you have an object in front of you, and within another two weeks you can tell the difference between trees and a pavement," he added.
According to the report, some blind people had previously taught themselves how to use echolocation: Americans Daniel Kish, the only blind person to have been awarded a certificate to act as a guide for other blind people, and Ben Underwood, who was considered to be the world's best "echolocator" until he died at the start of 2009.
The possibilities that would be opened up with the development of echolocation in humans are enormous, the report concludes. "This technique will be very practical not only for the blind, but also for professionals such as firemen (enabling them to find exit points through smoke), and rescue teams, or simply people lost in fog."
