DRG PureTone - Is it supposed to be so quiet?

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

I got a DRG PureTone off eBay without instructions. It came with one hard diaphragm and a bunch of the soft antimicrobial diaphragms. Does anybody know the correct way to set these up? Do you put the soft covers OVER the hard diaphragm? Are they used alone? The reason I ask is that this is such a QUIET stethoscope. I can barely hear anything. I've got the ear tips pointed forward, the correct side indexed, etc. But the heart beats sounds so far away - and this was supposed to be designed by Bose! Any hints or suggestions? Any DRG users out there with insights? Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care; LTC.

The soft diaphrams are use alone, they fit over the chest piece. I have had better experience with the hard diaphrams. I hear like an echo effect with the soft ones. The hard diaphram is louder than the soft ones. Also try adjusting the ear pieces a little bit or try different eartips, something isn't fitting right. Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

That's weird - the hard diaphragm is he one that is super quiet for me; almost like the heart beat is distant thunder. But the soft diaphragm is louder, although I have to be very light in touch when auscultating. I switched out the ear tips with the extra set but they appear to be the same size. I heard and felt no difference. Do the binaurals adjust on the Traditional Puretone? They look permanent t me...

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Maybe there is something wrong with it and that is why it was sold. We picked up a used piece of electronics and within a month found out why it was sold to us.

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

That's a possibility, although the swiveling head is nice and tight with no play in it. Other than that I cannot find anything else wrong with it. No cracks, no lint in the binaurals, or anything. Too bad. I thought I got a smokin' deal :)

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

A follow up: I tried replacing the DRG gel tip ear pieces with standard Littmann ear tips and the scope definitely sits better in my ears. The sounds seem to be better with this modification as well. Hope that helps others!

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I use the soft diaphragm with mine. I love my DRG. I do have to put the ear peices all the way in my ear though.

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