As we will see, this is not just a matter of sensory physiology, but has very deep implications for what it means to be a cetacean. The ability of dolphins to identify the location, composition and three dimensional structure of small objects at considerable distances is nearly beyond belief. The result is a sort of highly directional flashlight beam of sound. In addition, the melon helps transduce the airborne vibrations in the airsacs into water-borne vibrations. This scheme leaves a good many unanswered questions.
Bone is a notoriously good conductor of sound.
Dolphins are not only able to manage this trick, but may also be able to echolocate with random, ambient sounds. The known facts are, even in these days of virtually unlimited computing power, absolutely awe-inspiring. We barely understand how it works and lack the neurological capacity to ever appreciate the sense impression itself, much less the social, cognitive, and even artistic implications of having such a shared sense. Not that this will stop anyone from trying, of course. Nor should it.