Anyone here hear better wearing their stethoscope backwards?

I thought my Littman was broken until I decided to wear it backwards (with the ear pieces facing back instead of forward). The acoustics got better instantly. Is anyone here the same way? I have heard a lot of stories on this forum where people lose respect for a person they see wearing stethoscopes backwards...I can't help it! I got unique ear canals!

3 Answers

Specializes in CNA student.

SAME! I’ve been so worried in class because I can’t ever hear when taking BP. I’ve used at least 5 different stethoscopes and all the same result so I went to my doctor ti get my ears checked. Turns out I have fluid in one ear. They gave me Claritin D and Flonase to try to dry it up BUT I didn’t want to wait for results. Since this may not go away for awhile I started trying random things to see if it would help me hear. I turned them around backwards and tapped the diaphram with my finger and about jumped out of my chair! It was SO much louder! Immediately tried someone’s BP and I finally heard what everyone’s been talking about! Not sure why it’s like this for us but I’m just so grateful I can hear now to pass my test LOL!

You could have mutant ear canals.

I would recheck your ear pieces, maybe need a different size or material.

My ears hurt so bad when I have the stethoscope ear pieces on...but I do hear and I haven't tried it backwards.

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