What does echolocation help individuals with visual impairments do?

Echolocation is a skill that allows individuals to use sound to perceive their surroundings, particularly in the absence of vision. When individuals with visual impairments utilize echolocation, they produce sounds—often through clicks or verbalizations—and then listen for the echoes that bounce back from nearby objects. By analyzing the time it takes for the echoes to return and the changes in the sound, they can deduce crucial information about the environment, including the distance and location of objects around them. This ability is especially valuable for navigating complex spaces and avoiding obstacles.

The other options do not accurately portray the function of echolocation. Identifying color differences requires visual perception, which echolocation does not facilitate. Reading printed materials typically relies on sight or tactile methods like braille. Predicting traffic patterns involves more complex cognitive and observational skills that go beyond the information provided by sound reflections. Thus, using reflected sound to determine object locations is the primary capability that echolocation provides to individuals with visual impairments.