Do I need a better stethoscope?

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I am in my first term of nursing school and am wondering if I need a better stethoscope. I have an Adscope that cost about $65, but we did heart and lung sounds this week and I really struggled. I just felt like I couldn't really hear the sounds loud enough to assess them and I don't have any hearing deficits. And yes my stethoscope was on. I am thinking about buying a Littmann Master Classic II. Any advice?

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I do have a hearing deficit - moderate - and swear by Littmann. Any one you buy will be excellent.

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Specializes in ED/ICU/TELEMETRY/LTC.

I have a Littmann Cardiology III. Can't hear a thing. I USE a stethoscope from the pharmacy at Walmart. I can hear a gnat breathe. Cost $15.

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I don't know if your stethoscope allows for you to turn head of it where it has two side you can lesson with but sometimes if you do that you can hear a little better. You may also want to check to make sure it isn't turned right now. That could be another reason, but some you can just twist the head to hear the sounds on the other side. Hope this helps if not you may have to get another one. I always used a 25 dollar one durning school that they sell with the bp kits and it worked really well

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

make sure the ear pieces are aimed towards your eyes. thats a lot of mistakes people make.

also. for me the cheapie scopes dont work but my mid range littman and my really expensive littman are amaazing.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

As Pneumothorax stated, make sure the ear pieces are turned towards your ears.

Also make sure that while you are auscultating, you are placing the stethoscope on the intercostal spaces and not on the bone.

I have Littmann Cardiology III and I personally LOVE it. While I was in nursing school, I used a Littmann Classic II which was also great.

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