What is a hydrophone and what are they used for?
A hydrophone is a microphone that detects sound waves under water. Did you know that hydrophones used to be the only way to detect submarines? They’re also used to listen for the calls of marine animals, like dolphins and whales, and can be used to map very deep waters. They help us listen for boat traffic, figure out whether undersea pipelines are leaking, and understand if and how underwater noise is affecting sea life.
Build your own hydrophone- an underwater microphone.
It will let you listen to things that are happening in the water around you, whether that’s your bathtub or pool, your local fishing hole, a river or lake or even an ocean.
Choose from two options: basic or premium!
Inside the Basic Kit
- 2 Piezo elements
- 1 PVC pipe brushing
- 1 liquid tight cord grip
- 1 stereo cord
- 1 roll electrical tape
- 1 foam bumper
- 1 instant mix epoxy
- Latex gloves
Inside the Premium Kit
- 2 Piezo elements
- 1 PVC pipe brushing
- 1 liquid tight cord grip
- 1 stereo cord
- 1 roll electrical tape
- 1 foam bumper
- 1 instant mix epoxy
- Latex gloves
- 1 pelican case
- 1 amplifier with stereo adapter
- 1 moleskin notebook
Let your imagination run wild!
Here are just a few exciting uses of the hydrophone! The possibilities are infinite!In water:
- Underwater bio-acoustics – what do the animals that live in your local pond, lake, river, estuary or ocean sound like? Listen for them swimming, eating, or paddling around.
- Listen to the fish in your fish tank
- Discover what a dripping faucet sounds like in the bathtub
- Stick it in ice and move the ice around
- What does CO2 sound like? Stick it in your favorite soda drink to find out
- Helpful at home – listen to find out if your pool is leaking
