Need tips for hunting down mysterious high-pitched external sound

[tzhu07]

First of all, this high-pitched sound is definitely not tinnitus or anything to do with me. I've confirmed this by opening and closing my condo window. When it's open, I can hear the high-pitched sound clearly.

I tried taking a walk outside during the daytime to hunt it down, but it seems useless with all the other city and traffic sounds getting mixed in. I'll have to do it at 2AM or later.

So anyways, I'm just curious what you all think this sound might be. Also, I'm afraid that this sound might feel omnidirectional. How can I track it down without spending hours wandering around in circles?

 

[I7guy]

Get a sensitive omnidirectional microphone and see if you can deduce the direction of the sound.

 

[HDFan]

Maybe you could use Audio Tools Fast Fourier Transform on an IOS device. If the frequency shows up with the window open, and goes away with it closed you might be able to walk around outside to find the location by where it is the loudest.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Have some of your friends or family members walking around your condo. Every person has a difference range of sounds he or she can perceive.

 

[Sword86]

Got a power transformer on a post somewhere nearby? Long story....I had a high pitched squealing transformer inside on a TV. It drove me nuts. Some heard it, some didn't. It took 3 trips for repairs to kill it. There's no way you'd hear it outside with all the ambient noise. Just an idea. S

 

[tzhu07]

Got a power transformer on a post somewhere nearby? Long story....I had a high pitched squealing transformer inside on a TV. It drove me nuts. Some heard it, some didn't. It took 3 trips for repairs to kill it. There's no way you'd hear it outside with all the ambient noise. Just an idea. S

Well, I see something like this right next to my condo building.

File:Power Transformer.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

Could this be the culprit? This is maintained by the city. Would they even bother to investigate the noise and try to fix it?

 

[Huntn]

Well, I see something like this right next to my condo building.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:power_Transformer.jpg

Could this be the culprit? This is maintained by the city. Would they even bother to investigate the noise and try to fix it?

If you complained, maybe. If it is functional, I could see them not doing anything about a noise unless they were aware, and someone complained.

 

[Sword86]

Well, I see something like this right next to my condo building.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:power_Transformer.jpg

Could this be the culprit? This is maintained by the city. Would they even bother to investigate the noise and try to fix it?

It could simply be ignored if you were the only one complaining. Not many people could hear the sound from my TV. I lived in an apartment with hardwood floors and not much furniture. It was likely exacerbated by being in such a bright room. I'd maybe canvass some neighbours to see if they hear it as well. If they do, maybe multiple complaints would get the city to change it out. S