If you've ever noticed unusual noises coming from the walls or floors of your home, you'll know what an unnerving experience it can be. Scratching, scuffling, and scrabbling noises can all be pretty terrifying, suggesting anything from loose building materials and leaky pipes to a full-blown pest infestation. It can soon drive you around the bend unless you get it checked out.
The only problem is how you get inside your walls to look. You dont want the mess and expense of ripping plasterboard off the wall, especially if you have no idea exactly where the noises are coming from. You could ruin the walls and décor in many parts of your house without pinpointing the exact location of the mysterious noises.
If you call in a specialist (and that itself can be problematic if you dont know the cause of the sounds and therefore dont know which kind of expert you need), they may be just as flummoxed as you are and spend just as much time trying to identify the cause and location of the sounds all of which will cost you money.
Listening devices a smarter solution
The smart thing to do is to use technology to quickly and easily locate the source of the noises to gather information about whats happening and where before taking action. A listening device can save you from needlessly damaging your property and save you time, money, mess and, of course, hassle. Using a listening device, you can investigate the possible locations of the noise and narrow it down to a far more specific area. As these devices offer exceptional sound quality, clarity and accuracy on many surfaces, you can also identify the exact kind of noise, squeak, drip or rustle. Armed with this information, you can bring in a professional to deal with the problem and tell them exactly where and what is happening.
This could save you a small fortune in costs arising from the exploratory work a professional would need to do. Noise in the wall can lead to your mind playing tricks on you, as you suspect the worst. Suppose your imagination is running wild and keeping you up at night. In that case, gathering real information on whats happening via a listening device can make you feel much better. As well as eventually leading to the resolution of the problem for good, a handy tool like a listening device up your sleeve can also offer great peace of mind in the short term. No more nightmares about armies of insects in the walls!
How do Listening Devices work?
Listening devices work by converting vibrations within the wall into audible sounds. When held against the wall, the ceramic contact of the device is sensitive enough to pick up the softest vibrations. These are then converted into audio; with a powerful acoustic amplifier and a fine-tuning filter, you can adjust them to your liking just like youd focus the lenses on a telescope or binoculars to give you a more defined and focused view. This ensures that the sound is clear and defined enough to accurately identify the cause of the noises you've been hearing.
Many listening devices also come with an audio output socket, meaning you can plug in a voice recorder and record the sounds the device picks up. This can be very useful if you're struggling to identify the sound and need to listen back or have a professional listen to the sounds and give you their opinion. One important benefit of this recording feature is its application to tenants in rental properties.
If you've been kept awake by noises in the walls, you suspect a pest infestation, or you're concerned that there is a serious leak somewhere, your first port of call will be the property's landlord. Sadly, not all landlords are as diligent as they should be, so if you're not being listened to or taken seriously, your device can finally provide your landlord with all the evidence they need to take action.
The thicker the wall, the clearer the sound
You might think a listening device will work more effectively on thinner walls. However, the opposite is the case. Professional listen through walls devices are designed to work much better on thick, solid walls as much as 12 inches thick. The devices dont work very well on cavity walls, but at least these spaces allow some access for investigating problems. Listening devices can also listen through panes of glass and windows, should you require it.
Practical considerations
Suppose you have noticed noises in walls in different parts of the house. In that case, the last thing you want is to trail power and extension cords everywhere, nor is it convenient or practical to be plugging in and unplug your listening device all the time. This is why choosing a wireless device such as those at Online Spy Shop is recommended, which is powered by a long-lasting lithium battery for at least 24 hours.
Many devices are also very compact, which makes them easily portable these are the ones to go for, especially if theres a tight angle or an awkward alcove you need to squeeze a listening device into. As a bonus, if you have a friend or family member complaining of similar noises within their walls, you can pop a small, portable device in your bag or even your pocket and investigate there too.