EVP Sessions In Ghost Hunting: How We Run Them And What We Listen For
Electronic Voice Phenomena, or EVP, is one of the most widely used methods in paranormal investigation. The idea is straightforward. You record audio in a location, ask questions, and later review the recording for sounds or voices that were not audible at the time.
It sounds simple. In practice, it requires patience, good equipment, and a willingness to sit through hours of near-silence looking for something that may or may not be there.
At KASE Paranormal, EVP work forms a core part of how we investigate private homes and public locations across Kent and the South East. This article explains how we approach it, what techniques we use, and what we actually listen for when reviewing audio.
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What Is EVP?
EVP stands for Electronic Voice Phenomena. It refers to sounds or voices captured on recording equipment that were not heard by anyone present at the time of recording. The term has been around since the mid-twentieth century, though people have reported unexplained voices on audio equipment for as long as recording technology has existed.
Some EVPs are clear words or phrases. Others are faint, ambiguous, or open to interpretation. The challenge is distinguishing genuine anomalies from environmental sounds, radio interference, equipment noise, or pareidolia, where the brain finds patterns in random sound.
We take a cautious approach to EVP. Not every strange sound is paranormal. Most are not. But occasionally, something comes through that is harder to explain, and those moments are why we continue to use this method.
How KASE Runs EVP Sessions
We use EVP in two main ways during investigations: active sessions where we ask questions and wait for responses, and passive recording where equipment runs continuously in areas of interest.
Passive Recording
Throughout every investigation, we have at least one audio recorder and camera running in locations we have identified as active or significant. This might be a room where the client has reported experiences, or an area that feels notable during our initial walkthrough.
These devices run all night. We do not sit with them. The idea is to capture anything that happens when no one is present, removing the possibility that sounds are caused by investigators moving around or breathing.
We also record audio during walkthroughs, when we move through a property for the first time and note our impressions. This gives us a baseline and occasionally picks up sounds we did not notice in the moment.
Active EVP Sessions
During active sessions, one or more investigators sit in a location, ask questions aloud, and leave gaps for potential responses. We record continuously and review the audio afterwards.
Questions are usually simple and direct. "Is anyone here?" "Can you tell us your name?" "Do you want us to leave?" We avoid leading questions or anything that assumes a specific answer.
The key is patience. You ask a question, wait, and move on. It can feel uneventful at the time. The review process is where anything interesting tends to emerge.
The Estes Method
One technique we use at KASE is the Estes Method, a structured approach to spirit box sessions that removes some of the bias and guesswork associated with traditional spirit box use.
The method was developed in 2016 by paranormal investigators Karl Pfeiffer, Connor Randall, and Michelle Tate during research at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. The hotel is famous for inspiring Stephen King's novel The Shining, and has a long history of reported paranormal activity.
How It Works
The Estes Method uses sensory deprivation combined with a spirit box. One person, called the receiver, wears noise-cancelling headphones connected to a spirit box and puts on a blindfold. They cannot see or hear anything except the audio coming through the headphones.
A second person, the questioner, sits nearby and asks questions aloud. The receiver cannot hear these questions. They simply call out any words or phrases they hear coming through the spirit box.
The idea is to eliminate confirmation bias. Because the receiver does not know what is being asked, they cannot unconsciously shape their responses to fit the questions. If the words they call out happen to match or directly answer the questions being asked, it becomes harder to dismiss as coincidence.
Connection To The Ganzfeld Experiment
The Estes Method draws on principles from the Ganzfeld Experiment, a technique used in parapsychology research since the 1970s. Ganzfeld experiments use sensory deprivation, typically involving white or pink noise and uniform visual stimulation, to test for extrasensory perception.
The theory behind both approaches is similar. By reducing external sensory input, the participant may become more receptive to subtle signals or impressions that would otherwise be drowned out by everyday stimuli.
Whether you interpret this as spirit communication, heightened intuition, or something else entirely depends on your perspective. What we can say is that the Estes Method often produces interesting results, and the structured format makes it easier to assess those results objectively.
What We Listen For
Reviewing EVP recordings is time-consuming. You are listening for anything that stands out from the background, which means you need to know what the background sounds like first.
Distinguishing Signal From Noise
Most of what you hear on an investigation recording is environmental. Creaking floorboards, distant traffic, heating systems, wildlife outside, the rustle of clothing, breathing. You learn to recognise these sounds and filter them out mentally.
What catches our attention is something that does not fit. A voice when no one was speaking. A word that seems to respond to a question. A sound with no clear source.
We are cautious about labelling anything as paranormal. The human brain is excellent at finding patterns, even where none exist. A gust of wind can sound like a whisper. A distant car horn can sound like a word. We try to rule out natural explanations before considering anything else.
Characteristics Of Potential EVP
When we do identify something worth noting, we look for certain characteristics. Does it sound like speech? Is it responsive to a question or statement? Can it be heard by multiple reviewers independently, without prompting or does no one react to it in the moment?
We often ask team members to listen to a clip without telling them what we think we heard. If they identify the same word or phrase independently, that carries more weight than if we had suggested it first.
Tone and clarity vary widely. Some EVPs are clear and unmistakable, we call those ‘Class A’. Others are faint and require headphones and careful listening. We document everything, but we are honest about the limitations. A faint, ambiguous sound is interesting, but it is not proof of anything.
An Example From Our Investigations
During our investigation at Kelvedon Hatch in Kent, we captured a potential EVP on a locked-off camera positioned on the middle floor. At the time the audio was recorded, no investigators were present on that floor. Team A were located on the top floor, and Team B were positioned on the lower level.
The audio consists of a brief, isolated sound with vocal characteristics. It does not coincide with any visible movement or speech, and no team member recalls speaking at the time. While we considered environmental factors such as sound travel within the bunker, no clear source was identified.
The clip remains unexplained and has been documented for reference.
You can view the EVP clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtiG5YVvIGs
You can also read the full case study from Kelvedon Hatch on our blog: https://www.kaseparanormal.co.uk/blog/paranormal-investigation-kelvedon-hatch-nuclear-bunker
Why EVP Matters In Private Investigations
For homeowners experiencing unexplained activity, EVP sessions can provide something tangible to review. Even if nothing conclusive is captured, the process itself is often reassuring. It shows that someone is taking the situation seriously and applying a structured approach.
When we do capture something unusual, it gives the client something to consider. It does not necessarily mean their house is haunted. But it does mean something was recorded that we cannot easily explain, and that is worth documenting.
We always share our findings with clients after an investigation, including any audio clips we consider significant. We explain what we heard, what we ruled out, and what remains uncertain. Transparency matters more than dramatic conclusions.
Thinking About A Paranormal Investigation?
If you are in Kent, Essex, or the wider South East and something at home does not feel right, EVP sessions are one of several methods we use to assess a situation. We combine audio recording with visual monitoring, environmental sensors, and structured observation to build a full picture of what is happening in a location.
KASE Paranormal carries out private investigations across the region, using a methodical approach and providing clear written feedback after every case.
A private investigation may help if:
You have ruled out practical explanations and things still do not feel right.
Multiple people have had similar experiences in the same areas.
The activity is affecting your sleep, routines, or comfort in your own home.
You want a neutral team to assess the situation with fresh eyes.
At KASE Paranormal, we offer confidential, respectful support to households across Kent and the South East. We do not charge for our services, and we approach every case without judgement or sensationalism. You can read more about how that works here: https://www.kaseparanormal.co.uk/private-investigations
If you would like to reach out, you can:
Use a short contact form to describe what you are experiencing in your own words:
https://www.kaseparanormal.co.uk/contact-usRequest a free chat about your situation in the contact form
Contact us via email: info@kaseparanormal.co.uk
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You can also read other articles on our blog if you want to think things over before deciding what to do next: https://www.kaseparanormal.co.uk/blog