Are my ears broken?stethoscope bad?

vashtee, RN · Feb 23, 2008

Did you try turning the tubing where it meets the bell to click it on? (hard to explain, but simple to do.)

vivasmom · Feb 23, 2008

yes, it's all set up in my ears the right way (facing forward) and twisted the correct way and nuthin'...... I used my friends Littman cardiology and heard it but sheeesh , i can't afford that.

miss rochelle · Feb 23, 2008

that's really peculiar. maybe it's just your steth? have you tried to listen with another littman like yours?

SarasotaRN2b · Feb 23, 2008

When you tap on the diaphragm, are you able to hear that? As long as you have the ear pieces turned the right way, you should definitely hear the apical pulse.

Just like natania suggested, check your tubing.

Kris

chaxanmom · Feb 23, 2008

Did you try turning the tubing where it meets the bell to click it on? (hard to explain, but simple to do.)

I had the same problem she has and turns out that was why. Soooo embarassing!! :bugeyes:

jackson145 · Feb 23, 2008

I cut a few inches off my tubing and that improved the sound conduction greatly! Of course, it also voids the warranty.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 23, 2008

Step 1: Have someone else (who has no trouble hearing apical pulses) try it using your stethescope. If they have no problems, then the stethescope is working properly. You might have to ajust the angle of the ear pieces to suit your ears, but if you are the only one who can't hear through your stethescope, then the problem is not the stethescope.

Step 2. If a few minor "technique" adjustments with your stethescope don't fix the problem -- and others have no trouble with your stethescope -- get your hearing checked by a professional audiologist. Get a good hearing test that measures your hearing at different frequencies, volumes etc. You might have some hearing loss at the frequency of the pulses -- but not be aware of it because you can still understand normal speach.

vashtee, RN · Feb 24, 2008

Can you hear lung sounds or blood pressure?

vivasmom · Feb 24, 2008

BP no problem . We haven't covered lung sounds yet. I did have my hearing tested for school and it was w/in normal ranges

vashtee, RN · Feb 24, 2008

You might be over a bone, then.

mcknis · Feb 27, 2008

vivasmom:

I do have a Littmann Classic II SE and also have the same problem. It may seriously just be "that" stethoscope. I have compared that Littmann to others in my class/work and I think it was just that one stethoscope. I have several others of my own to compare with and I can honestly hear better with the Select, Lightweight (newer model), Cardiology III, and even a sprague. I think my problem has been the tunable diaphragm. I am completely against it, but that is just my personal opinion.