Mechanical vibration may be sensed by a remotely located ultrasonic sensor. An ultrasonic wave may be transmitted from a transmitter to a vibrating surface, in which the transmitter is separated from the vibrating surface by a distance. A reflected portion of the ultrasonic wave that is reflected from the vibrating surface may be received by a receiver that is also separated from the vibrating surface by a distance. A measure of phase shift amplitude in the reflected portion of the ultrasonic wave may be determined and converted into an amplitude of a vibration of the vibrating surface.