Stethoscope Info...HELP

TazziRN, RN · Dec 8, 2007

If it's a problem with the scope, go back to the store where it was purchased and they should replace it.

I have a simple Littman, inexpensive. I never planned on working ICU or anything like that, where I would have to distinguish different heart sounds. I worked ER for many years, all I cared about was whether or not I could hear a heartbeat at all! For lung sounds if there was a faint wheeze/rattle/whatever, then it wasn't bad enough for me to worry about. If I could hear it loudly then I needed to intervene.

nurz2be · Dec 8, 2007

Hi to everyone!
I am having issues....and I'm hoping someone can help! I will be starting Nursing School in January and my husband purchased a Prestige Stethoscope for me...but I can't hear with it...it's only on my right side that I hear "noise" and I'm wondering what you would recommend for purchasing. I have good hearing but it seems to be an issue with the earpiece and my left ear...
I would appreciate any help available for this issue! Thanks!!!

I am not trying to sound mean or anything but if you haven't used a stethoscope before you can try this. If it has a dual diaphragm (the part you put to the chest to listen with) If it has 2 sides, generally you can take that piece and twist it, it makes the small side active and the large side inactive and vise versa. Like I said I am not being smart or anything, it happened to several people in our class who had a similar issue and had not used a stethoscope before. If your scope does not have this feature I would suggest sending it back and getting another one. I am sure it isn't a problem with your ears.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Dec 8, 2007

Agree with nurz2be - that's a common problem. The other thing is to make sure that your earpieces are bent slightly forward (pointing toward your nose).

SICU Queen · Dec 8, 2007

I'd wait until you actually learn how to use one before you decide that it's not working. That being said, you can always go exchange it for another one.

I personally found, during my learning years, that a Sprague-type double-tubed stethescope worked best for me - the shorter length tube, the better.

Now I have a Littman which I love.

x_coastie · Dec 8, 2007

Congrads on starting school soon.

Because it is only the right side, I would rule out a problem with the stethoscope by having you hubby try it out. If you think your hearing is at fault this scope has helped me so far.

I had a similar problem, years of being around jet engines have taken their toll on my hearing. After failing a competency test (BP) my instructor went and got one of the school's scopes that she called an "amplified" stethoscope. It just had a larger bell piece which seemed to work for me. Although they are not amplified like an electronic scope they do seem to be louder and cost around $30 + S&H. I have not done a full blown side by side test with a standard scope though. It maybe worth a try before spending $400 + on a electronic scope.

I don't think I am allowed to post the link, but you can search for "cardiocare stethoscope" they are made by a company called Advanced Medical Technologies.

Good luck

beth66335, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2007

Get your ears looked at to see if they can do anything medically for you. If your hearing is damaged look into getting an electronic steth which will amplify sound for you.

www.allheart.com/electronic-stethoscopes.html

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2007

What Beth said.

mcknis · Dec 10, 2007

make sure you are having a good seal with your ear pieces! look at buying a scope after checking your ears and ear pieces