Do taller people need longer stethoscopes?

CashewLPN, LPN · Feb 12, 2002

I'm pretty sure it has to do with sound quality (as in shorter is better) and, what length you're comfortable with...

Personally, I like the 22 inch version, and I'm pretty tall too... (5'8")

--Barbara

Jenny P · Feb 12, 2002

The sound quality is better in the shorter tubing. It has to do with the resonance of the tubing-- the longer the tubing, the poorer quality sound because of the conduction of the sound through the tube. I think the tubing comes in both sizes for comforts' sake.

CATHYW · Feb 12, 2002

What the other posters say about the shorter tubing giving better resonance is true. However, unless you are doing cardiac nursing and need to indicate grades of murmurs, etc., the longer length will work very well. I am 5'9" also, and found out the hard way about tubing that was too short. My back and shoulders killed me! I worked in ICU stepdown/tele. With the longer tubing, I was able to hear all breath and bowel sounds fine, and could pick up cardiac murmurs and rubs fairly easily.

Good luck!

NurseDennie, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2002

I started out as a tech whilst I was in nursing school, and my tech orientation was on the pulmonary floor. I decided that I needed the LONGEST steth tubes I could find!!! You need a bit of distance to be able to duck the yuck.

Why is it that the people who most need to are the least likely to *cover up* when they cough???

Love

Dennie

eventsnyc · Feb 12, 2002

Great info, I really appreciate all the kind responses! I am getting the longer tub version.

What is your opinion on Cardio III? For general accessments.

Happy Nursing!

Christina

nur20 · Feb 12, 2002

The sound quality really is better in the shorter stethescopes, but the longer ones hang around the neck with more ease, which i don,t do anymore since being choked with it by a disoriented patient