Stethoscope bothering my ears

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Is it normal for a stethoscope to hurt my ear canals so much? I am new to this as I am a nursing student. I tried changing the earbuds but that didn't seem to help much either. I can't imagine working all day like that. Anyone else have this problem? What solved it? I bought the Littmann Cardiology III, it is sort of heavy....could that be the problem? Or do I just need to get used to it!

I know my original ipod earbuds didn't work well with my ears either and I had to buy the Sony brand with the tiny buds.

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use the black ends, they are the softest. and you know you can stretch the auricles apart so they dont press in so much dont you?

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My stethoscope only came with gray ear pieces, not black. If the black ones are softer then maybe I will order a pair.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Derm, OB.

Yes, get the black soft seal ear buds and they are more comfortable. Also, stretch the pieces apart a little so they do not push in so much. Good luck.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

This may sound elementary but make sure you are pointing them in the right direction. I was using them backwards when I first started and it was very painful. Good luck.

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I thought of that, but I can only hear with them one way. It could be because they are new and the ear tubes are still stiff. I'll figure it out eventually. In the meantime, I will practice on the family and probably drive them crazy!!

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I've heard of some things called GELSEAL which are liquid filled and more comfortable - around $5 I think online

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

Gel Seal earpieces are good and soft, but don't work with small ear canals. Look online for Littmann Soft black earpieces. Should be in the area of $5-10. Once you try them, you'll never regret them! Good luck. I have used those gray hard earpieces before and they hurt! Littmann also makes earpieces (the soft ones) in a small size!

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The problem is most likely NOT the ear buds, rather the TENSION on the ear canal.

I have this problem big-time. The Littmann literature addresses this, simply by pulling the ear-pieces apart, the spring tension will lessen, thus lessening the tension in the ear canal. You have do do this several times, depending on the quality of the steth. Cheap steth spring tension (cheap metal) will bend easily. Pricey one (Littmann/others) high quality metal spring, takes many (20 plus/minus) to finally get the tension to lessen.

I have this problem every time I use someone elses steth, or the hospital-supplied. It kills my ears, can't hardly concentrate on what I am doing due to the pain.

I loosened the tension on my Littmann and it is now VERY comfortable.:yeah:

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After your suggestion of releasing the tension, I went and did just that. It definitely helped. Now they don't feel like they are jabbing at my ears as much.

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions! They have all been very helpful!:yeah:

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My stethoscope only came with gray ear pieces, not black. If the black ones are softer then maybe I will order a pair.

your cardiology III only came with grey? contact who you bought it from b/c it should have came with a black pair and a grey pair. with the stretching and the black pieces you'll never want to put another stethoscope to your ears.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Charge Nurse.
your cardiology iii only came with grey? contact who you bought it from b/c it should have came with a black pair and a grey pair. with the stretching and the black pieces you'll never want to put another stethoscope to your ears.

fyi - i just purchased a littmann cardiology iii and it only came with the grey ear tips, three pair including the ones already on it. when i ordered the student kit (free) from littman they sent the black ones, id tag and disc.

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