Stethoscope help!

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I need suggestions. I'm currently a nursing student and am struggling to hear from my littmann classic iii stethascope. I have a slight hearing problem and think I am going to have to purchase a nicer one so I can hear. I need suggestions between the cardiology stethoscopes and he master cardiology? Any thoughts would be appreciated. I know I'm a student and most say don't spend he money but it's affecting my patient care if I can't hear. I also have considered the electronic ones but think that may be overkill. But at the same time maybe I will have to get it down the line. TIA!:)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

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Hi!

Evidently low sound output is pretty common among traditional stethoscopes. And I'm afraid I do not know of any other way than to switch to an electronic one. It definitely amplifies the sounds A LOT, and can have more or less similar sound quality as the traditional ones by using digital filters, so I wouldn't worry at all about sound quality! They can mimic the diaphragm and bell output sound pretty well!

I'm not sure if you ever considered using hearing-aid stethoscopes? They can interface with hearing aids but.. obviously if you go down that path, price can become quite an issue

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I use a Llittmann 3200 - electronic steth and love it. I am on my second one as I gave the first one away. They are way way awesome and worth the expense.

I work mostly in dialysis units and it is very noisy and difficult to hear but listening to heart/lung sounds is very important. I use mine everyday

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My hearing sometimes gets a bit fuzzy due to fluid in my ears. I use a maxiscope and love it. I'm actually the only student in my class who doesn't carry an expensive littmann.

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My hearing sometimes gets a bit fuzzy due to fluid in my ears. I use a maxiscope and love it. I'm actually the only student in my class who doesn't carry an expensive littmann.

Good to know. I just got accepted into an RN program, and am wanting to replace my Sprague-style scope. It was fine for being a CNA and taking manual BPs, but the sound is not clear and it picks up lots of background noise. It seems all of the new students are buying Littmanns, but I don't want to get on the bandwagon unless it really is the best scope. I've heard a lot of good things about the Ultrascope, so I'm thinking I should give it a try.

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Good to know. I just got accepted into an RN program, and am wanting to replace my Sprague-style scope. It was fine for being a CNA and taking manual BPs, but the sound is not clear and it picks up lots of background noise. It seems all of the new students are buying Littmanns, but I don't want to get on the bandwagon unless it really is the best scope. I've heard a lot of good things about the Ultrascope, so I'm thinking I should give it a try.

Go with the maxiscope option. Same quality for less money.

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I got a Littmann Classic III and paid less than $100 for it - The acoustics are amazing, the tubing is incredibly durable, and it even has a 5 year warranty (some models go up to 7, I believe).

I got it in carribbean blue with the rainbow bell so that it'd stand out a bit... I see lots of the plain/smoke black ones D:

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I love my littman 3200 but it's only been 5-6 years and it now has a high pitched squeal like feedback when I press it to a chest or back to listen. Littman says the warranty expired. I've debated buying a new one but that's a lot of money to spend every 5 years.

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