Too much noise! Stethoscope help

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

So, I'm having issues with getting a stethoscope that meets my needs. Years ago I had a Littman cardiology stethoscope that I really liked but after a few years I started having difficulty hearing lung sounds and heart sounds. For a few years I worked acute psych and didn't really have a need for a stethoscope on a regular basis so I purchased this model: Littman Classic III

I've been using this one ever since even when I switched specialties, and while it's a decent stethoscope, I hear a lot of ambient noises, every little vibration is loud, and yet breath sounds are so distant, as are heart sounds. 

I looked around and purchased this model: MDF  since it had good reviews and wasn't expensive. I hadn't used a sprague stethoscope since I was a CNA and wasn't sure I would like it. Lung sounds and heart sounds are a little louder, however ambient noise is even worse with this one! Even when the patient and I are completely still and I can't see any movement anywhere there's still this "BAM, BAM" which overshadows what I'm trying to listen to. 

In my frustration, I've reviewed my assessment techniques to make sure I'm still assessing right, I haven't been diagnosed with a hearing impairment but I do have trouble hearing at times when it comes to other activities. I'm considering getting another cardiology stethoscope, and I've considered a digital one and have favored this model: Fancy Pants Stethoscope  but I'm a little put off by the cost, it just seems so high for a stethoscope for nursing assessments. 

I am very open to suggestions and advice. Thanks in advance.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I feel a little dumb, but I tried to Google Fancy Pants Stethoscope after reading your post, ha! (Seemed like a funny name.)

Anyway, I have a coworker who has that exact stethoscope you linked to and raves about it. I've considered investing in one myself, but I'm doing alright with my Littman cardiology for now. Currently, we are the COVID unit so we only have the fisher price disposable stethoscopes. I do have a hearing deficit so I can barely hear anything with those. It's really frustrating that my assessments aren't as thorough as I would like, but I can't bring mine into the rooms so I do my best with what we've got. Anyway, I haven't used it personally, but coworkers love that one, it might be worth the investment.

Edited to add: when I did my emergency room rotation, the MD I worked with would use that stethoscope on most people and found the EKG function to be a reasonably good correlation with the actual EKGs in the rooms. 

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

2 minutes ago, JBMmom said:

I feel a little dumb, but I tried to Google Fancy Pants Stethoscope after reading your post, ha! (Seemed like a funny name.)

Anyway, I have a coworker who has that exact stethoscope you linked to and raves about it. I've considered investing in one myself, but I'm doing alright with my Littman cardiology for now. Currently, we are the COVID unit so we only have the fisher price disposable stethoscopes. I do have a hearing deficit so I can barely hear anything with those. It's really frustrating that my assessments aren't as thorough as I would like, but I can't bring mine into the rooms so I do my best with what we've got. Anyway, I haven't used it personally, but coworkers love that one, it might be worth the investment.

LOL, Sorry I  promise I wasn't trying to trick you! It's good to hear of someone purchasing that stethoscope and being pleased with it. I may have to bite the bullet and do it. I have also thought about just getting another cardiology stethoscope but I'm a little worried that my hearing is worse than what it was the last time I used one.

Thanks for your input!

[Davey Do]

Working in psych, the only thing I used a stethoscope for on a regular basis was bowel sounds. I have some hearing loss in my right ear from a head injury and a S/P cholesteatoma.

I found that if I used rubber ear pieces instead of the hard plastic ones, I could hear much better.  Plus, they shut out more of the outside noise.

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

1 hour ago, Davey Do said:

Working in psych, the only thing I used a stethoscope for on a regular basis was bowel sounds. I have some hearing loss in my right ear from a head injury and a S/P cholesteatoma.

I found that if I used rubber ear pieces instead of the hard plastic ones, I could hear much better.  Plus, they shut out more of the outside noise.

Interesting, I'll have to look and see what type mine has, thanks!

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

On 1/27/2021 at 5:39 AM, TheMoonisMyLantern said:

LOL, Sorry I  promise I wasn't trying to trick you! It's good to hear of someone purchasing that stethoscope and being pleased with it. I may have to bite the bullet and do it. I have also thought about just getting another cardiology stethoscope but I'm a little worried that my hearing is worse than what it was the last time I used one.

Thanks for your input!

Before I would spend a lot of money on a new scope I would get my hearing checked, If you are suffering from hearing loss you might just need a scope with amplification. 

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

9 hours ago, hppygr8ful said:

Before I would spend a lot of money on a new scope I would get my hearing checked, If you are suffering from hearing loss you might just need a scope with amplification. 

I think you're right, I'm going to make an appointment for next week. I don't have trouble hearing tv or things of that nature, I have a hard time understanding people's words sometimes, especially on the phone, increased volume helps with it. I don't know if that's just me being cognitively slow or if it's my hearing. We'll see!