Human echolocation

Human echolocation is the ability of humans to detect objects in their environment by sensing echoes from those objects, by actively creating sounds: for example, by tapping their canes, lightly stomping their foot, clapping their hands, snapping their fingers, or making clicking noises with their mouths.

People trained to orient by echolocation can interpret the sound waves reflected by nearby objects, accurately identifying their location, size and density. That is, the echoes allow detailed information about the object's location (where it is), dimension (size and shape), and density (solidity) to be identified. For example, they provide information about the location and nature of objects and their environment, such as walls, doorways, recesses, overhangs, pillars, ascending curbs and steps, fire hydrants, pedestrians, parked or moving vehicles, trees and other foliage. Some of them can perform tricks such as running, basketball, rollerblading, football and skateboarding, and can safely navigate wilderness areas by hiking or mountain biking.