Much like bats, which navigate in the dark using echolocation, humans are also capable of using reflected sound signals—such as tongue clicks—to determine the distance to surrounding objects. Recent research has shown that this skill can be developed through training.

What is echolocation?

Echolocation is the ability to determine the location and distance of an object by measuring the time it takes for a reflected sound wave to return. In nature, this method is used by bats, dolphins, certain species of pinnipeds, and birds. These animals emit high-frequency sounds and listen for their echoes to orient themselves in space, find food, and hunt.

Human echolocation

Scientists from the University of East Anglia have discovered that people, like bats, can to some extent use echolocation to judge the distance to objects. While human echolocation is not as precise as that of animals, simple actions—such as tongue clicks, finger snaps, or tapping a cane on the pavement—can help form a mental map of the surrounding environment. Importantly, this skill can be trained, which is especially valuable for people who are visually impaired.

The experiment

The study involved 11 participants with normal vision, who were blindfolded. After a brief training session, they were asked to make tongue clicks and listen for echoes from various objects made of aluminum and foam plastic (these materials reflect sound differently: aluminum reflects better, foam plastic worse).

First, participants determined whether an object was directly in front of them. Then, they learned to estimate the distance to objects placed at known distances—30, 60, or 90 centimeters away. In the final part of the experiment, they were asked to judge the distance to objects placed at unknown distances.

Research results

Even after a short training period, participants were able to use echolocation with fairly high accuracy simply by clicking their tongues. However, they tended to slightly underestimate distances, especially when the object was farther away. The accuracy of their estimates also depended on the material: results were better and more consistent with aluminum objects than with foam plastic ones.

The significance of the study

The researchers note that the results demonstrate the remarkable ability of the human brain to adapt and adopt new sensory strategies, much like bats do in nature. The scientists hope that echolocation training can be incorporated into educational programs for people with visual impairments, helping them navigate their environment more effectively.