Stethoscope..problem

[werlp]

OK, I feel like a complete and total idiot for even posting this question, but I am going to ask anyway. I start school on August 27. I am really excited and getting a little nervous, especially because I received my stethoscope the other day. Well I got it out to try to listen to my husband and daughters heart. Well I can't seem to hear anything at all. I bought the Littman Classic II SE. I tried both ear pieces and I still can't really hear the heartbeat. I guess I expected it to be really loud, but it's not. The only problem I can find is...I have my tragus pierced, so there is probably not a tight seal on that ear. I know I should just take the earing out and try to hear then, but I keep put it off until the last minute. Anyway...to my question..Do you think this is the reason I am not hearing anything??? Do you have any tips???

Thanks so much!

[risabovit]

tap on both sides of the chest piece. one side should conduct sound, so you may have to rotate the chestpiece in order to amplify the adult side of the chest piece. hope this works.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Do you have the earpieces in correctly? I know it sounds like a stupid question but there is a correct way and an incorrect way to put the earpieces in.

[onyx77]

With slanted earpieces you need to put them in so that they face forward with the flow of your ear canal. If they aren't facing the corrrect way you won't be able to hear. And do what the PP suggested, lightly tap on each side. You may need to switch it around.

[miMOMMYof3]

I have the same scope and i had the same problem. You have to put the ear pieces in where they look like they are upside down. It blocks out outside sounds and you can actually hear... I hope this helps.

>>Heidi