A visual-acoustic device is provided that contains an acoustic detector to produce sound waves in communication with a moire pattern generator that produces moire patterns corresponding to the sound waves. The device includes a rigid plate having a first repetitive pattern and a flexible plate spaced from the rigid, plate and having a second repetitive pattern corresponding to the first repetitive pattern. The sound waves induce movement of the flexible plate such that the second repetitive pattern moves with respect to the first repetitive pattern to produce the moire pattern. The visual-acoustic device can be arranged as a visual-acoustic stethoscope.