Prestige Medical Clear Sound Heart Stethoscope VS. Littmann Classic II S.E. Stethosco

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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hi, i'm in term 1 in lvn school and soon we will heading out to the clinics! i'm so excited. :clown:

ok, the school has provided us a stethoscope, however, i cannot hear out of it unless i press them really tight into my ears. i can hear the heart beats from my instructors stethoscope. she told me to get a stethoscope because the one the school provides is not that good to hear the heart beats. so, since we are going to the clinic setting i was wondering which one to purchase?

i'm not working, attending full time school and limited to cash $$$. :twocents::twocents:

what is your suggestion what brand is better when it comes to prestige medical clear sound heart stethoscope vs. littmann classic ii s.e. stethoscope?

[color=dimgray]prestige medical clear sound heart stethoscope is $29 on amazon :rolleyes:

[color=dimgray]littmann classic ii s.e. stethoscope is $71 to $100 and higher on amazon:mad:

i'm limited with cash flow so what's the best stethoscope to purchase? :twocents:

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Since you are still a student, it might be a good idea to invest in the least expensive stethoscope of the two that you have mentioned. It would be a shame if you purchased the more expensive stethoscope, only for it to grow two legs and walk off with somebody during your clinical rotation. The pricey stethoscopes do have the tendency to "walk off" or turn up missing since not everyone has an active conscience that will prevent them from stealing.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

get a littman light weight they are about 50-75 depending on where you live and are great! and come in nice colors too

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Mine is an inexpensive one and I had a lot of problems hearing out of it when I first got it. I could barely hear to take a bp and didn't her any lung sounds at all. My instructer suggested changing the earpieces. I didn't change them at first b/c I didn't believe that it would change anything that I was hearing. The steth had squishy earpieces on it. However, it did come with 2 other sets of earpieces that were not squishy. I changed to one of the non-squishy earpieces and I could suddenly hear everything! :) I would suggest changing the earpieces, if you havn't already, before you buy a new one.

There is one student in my class who is still having problems with her more expensive Littmann steth. It came with squishy earpieces and without an extra set of hard earpieces. I let her try my steth and she could hear great out of it. So changing the earpieces is definatly worth a try. :)

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..

I have a Littmann Classic II SE and I like it, though, you are right, they are expensive.

A really good alternative can be found in an ADC 603 (a Littmann knockoff, but sounds great and costs less).

Another one is one that I also own (for when I do not want my Littmann to wander off): it's an MDF MD One (Model 777). It's built really well, has extra ear tips and an extra diaphragm. I think it sounds as good as my Littmann FWIW...

As for the Prestige Clear Sound - I tried one at a uniform shop. I was wearing two layers of clothing and could still hear heart sounds at all five points. The ear tips were comfortable, and it was balanced around my neck. The head was a little large, which might make taking BP's with an arm cuff tougher. I could hear pretty well, and I now actually kind of want the smiley face model :)

I think either scope would be fine - it just depends on if you want to pay the extra cash or not, and if your school requires you to have a bell (two-sided) scope or not. Both would suit your needs as a student. But I would also consider the ADC or MDF as viable alternatives.

Cheers!

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Specializes in Neuro, Med-surg..
Mine is an inexpensive one and I had a lot of problems hearing out of it when I first got it. I could barely hear to take a bp and didn't her any lung sounds at all. My instructer suggested changing the earpieces. I didn't change them at first b/c I didn't believe that it would change anything that I was hearing. The steth had squishy earpieces on it. However, it did come with 2 other sets of earpieces that were not squishy. I changed to one of the non-squishy earpieces and I could suddenly hear everything! :) I would suggest changing the earpieces, if you havn't already, before you buy a new one.

There is one student in my class who is still having problems with her more expensive Littmann steth. It came with squishy earpieces and without an extra set of hard earpieces. I let her try my steth and she could hear great out of it. So changing the earpieces is definatly worth a try. :)

I've had this experience too. On my ADC Sprague, the hard black ear tips sit in my ears better and I can hear much more clearly and loudly with them then I can with the clear rubber/silicon/whatever ear tips. At first they don't feel as comfortable, but on the Spragues you can adjust the eartip angle, and how hard they 'squeeze' into your ears. Some people are the opposite. I know a nurse who buys a cheap Sprague and then separately buys Littmann soft ear tips. This set up results in a 'Frankenscope' but it works for her.

Everybody's ears are different. Try different stuff before spending the $$$ on a new scope (trust me, I own too many already :rolleyes:).

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