Stethascope tube length question

[bad virus]

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Hi guys,

Can I get a longer tube for the Littman Cardiology III stethoscope?

My aunt is a very nice and very sweet (super small/petite) pediatrician. When I was accepted into medical school, she went out and bought me this stethoscope with a 22 inch tube. As of right now, all I know how to do with it is listen to simple breath sounds and take blood pressure with it and I honestly don’t know how often we are going to be using them. If it is often, the tubing length is going to bother me a lot because it feels really awkward getting up that close. I found out online that the model comes in both 22 inch and 27 inch and is rather quite expensive. I don’t want to tell my aunt to exchange it because I might hurt her feelings so I just wanted to see if I could order a longer tube online.

Wow, I just noticed that the story was totally unnecessary after I wrote it (the question was already there, but I guess I felt like chatting).

 

[251478]

Hi guys,

Can I get a longer tube for the Littman Cardiology III stethoscope?

My aunt is a very nice and very sweet (super small/petite) pediatrician. When I was accepted into medical school, she went out and bought me this stethoscope with a 22 inch tube. As of right now, all I know how to do with it is listen to simple breath sounds and take blood pressure with it and I honestly don’t know how often we are going to be using them. If it is often, the tubing length is going to bother me a lot because it feels really awkward getting up that close. I found out online that the model comes in both 22 inch and 27 inch and is rather quite expensive. I don’t want to tell my aunt to exchange it because I might hurt her feelings so I just wanted to see if I could order a longer tube online.

Wow, I just noticed that the story was totally unnecessary after I wrote it (the question was already there, but I guess I felt like chatting).

There are no tubes for sale from the Littman website, that I can see. You might have to buy a new one. I would just explain to my aunt that the one she got was too short and you would be more effective with a longer one. If it was me, my feelings wouldn't be hurt. I would want you too have the proper sized equipment to do your job.

 

[lapelirroja]

http://www.reddingmedical.com/158_C...Assembly__2129.cfm?id=158&step=4&lastcatid=21

They definitely do sell tubing assemblies, the above website is an example. It's not exactly a cheap fix @ $75 but its still less than buying a new scope. I'm sure other medical supply websites sell them as well. Good luck!

 

[BrickHouseMD]

The shorter the tube, the better the sounds and the more you'll hear. I say get over your fear of being too close to patients and stick with the short one. Wait until you're 1 inch from a patients face looking into their eyes with your ophthalmoscope.

 

[Hernandez]

The shorter the tube, the better the sounds and the more you'll hear.

From Littmann.

Past publications have suggested that the shorter the tubing, the better the acoustic response. Laboratory testing has shown this to be true, but the average hearing person will only pick up a difference if there is an extreme increase in tubing length. In fact, based on the manner in which sound waves travel, there is a slight advantage in low frequency sounds with longer tubing. Most heart sounds are considered to be in the lower frequency range. Length of tubing seems to be a personal preference, based on physique and infection control issues viewed by the user.​

As to the OP. Stethoscopes get lost and have a nasty tendency to walk off on their own. I'd just leave this one as is and buy a 2nd scope like you prefer.

 

[TMP-SMX]

Supposedly shorter tubes sound better but almost everyone uses a 27" scope.

I got a green 27" Card III as a gift from someone in my second year. I use that one now and I have my old black 27" Card III on standby if something ever happens to it.