Litman - choosing between single or double lumen?

I'm not sure, but I have the same question. Maybe someone will chime in.

none in particular regarding a new student/learner, but the benefit of a dual tubing stethoscope is that each tube goes to each ear providing with a more quality sound. it is really hard to describe with much detail and the fact is you;ll never be able to tell the difference in tubing sound. the sound you will be able to tell the difference in is in the diaphragm (head). the more quality the head, the better the sound will be. take for instance a cheap single sided stethoscope ($5-10) with an aluminum head (doesnt transmit sound well at all), then take a sprague stethoscope with an alumin head or zinc alloy head (little heavier and transmits sound a little better), then take a next higher step (a littmann classic 2/master classic/select/or similar scope) the head on these is lighter than the sprague, but are made up of stainless steel which transmits sound the best of all materials that they have discovered so far. then the king of all acoustical scopes...the master cardiology/master cardiology type scopes, have the thickest/heaviest heads of all stethoscopes and in addition to the double walled/dual tubing the sound is the best with these. Note: with each step up in quality/weight, the price also increases. Can anyone use these...yes, but they arent necessary for everyone to use. As long as you can hear a heart beat, tell if someone is breathing, and hear bowel sounds, then any stethoscope will work just fine. Unless you are working in a cardiac unit or ICU, I would suggest a middle of the road stethoscope (Littmann Classic 2/Select/Master Classic), and if all you are doing is vital signs and a heart rate, then go with a cheap stethoscope. hope that helps!

I feel as though single provides a more quality sound. I don't see many people with the double lumen either.