Shape-specific activation of occipital cortex in an early blind echolocation expert

► In-ear echolocation recordings were made from an early-blind echolocator (EB). ► EB listened to the recordings and made feature judgments of the silent objects. ► fMRI results revealed shape-specific echolocation activity in occipital cortex. ► Occipital activation pattern was consistent with topographic organization. ► Occipital results may be influenced by early age-of-blindness onset.