What kind of stethoscope do you use?

[kylek044]

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Weird question? Maybe, but I don't want to make a mistake in buying a stethoscope.
I like the looks of the Sprague Rappaports, but I dont know much about looking for one... is there major differences in sound quality between brands or models?

Help.

 

[TxMed]

Weird question? Maybe, but I don't want to make a mistake in buying a stethoscope.
I like the looks of the Sprague Rappaports, but I dont know much about looking for one... is there major differences in sound quality between brands or models?

Help.

littman cardiology III, my wife and i both use them and are quite pleased.

tm

 

[deleted87716]

Weird question?

No. Weekly question. Check out the search feature. 😉

 

[kylek044]

I've searched, but no one mentioned two-hose as opposed to one.
The rappaport has two hoses. If these two hoses rub together, it would interfere with sound, but if they don't it would make an OK stethoscope, I think.

I mentioned that model because I was interested in the style-variations.

 

[grindcm]

I hear Playskool makes a really nice/durable stethosope...If your lucky you can buy the value pack, I think it comes with a few syringes and otoscope... Most Wal-Marts carry them...

Actually I had a cheesy Premiere? with the two 'hoses' and it did pretty well for me...I think the main difference in most are the bells... not the hoses.... the littman cardiology...niiiccee... its like listenin to a loudspeaker

 

[deuist]

No. Weekly question. Check out the search feature. 😉

Certainly is the weekly question on this board. I was wondering how much time would pass until you answered.

 

[anon-y-mouse]

Certainly is the weekly question on this board. I was wondering how much time would pass until you answered.

I think the word 'stethoscope' immediately triggers some function in the SDN database that pages him stat 😉

 

[deleted87716]

I think the word 'stethoscope' immediately triggers some function in the SDN database that pages him stat 😉

 

[indo]

the top line says "Emu" but it is spelled EMEW!

 

[Wizard of Oz]

Our class members were given a Littmann Classic S.E. II. I had already been given an engraved Master Classic II as a gift. The Cardiology III is probably the most popular brand among those willing to pay for it.

With the Masters, make sure whoever is testing you knows that you are pressing down to catch the high freqeuency since you are not turning the bell over like you would with a Classic.

 

[Gimlet]

Weird question? Maybe, but I don't want to make a mistake in buying a stethoscope.
I like the looks of the Sprague Rappaports, but I dont know much about looking for one... is there major differences in sound quality between brands or models?

Help.

We had a cardiology attending give us a lecture on heart sounds the other day in our physical diagnosis class. The way he talked about Sprague-Rappaports, you would have thought he was a paid rep. of the company (he made specific mention that he isn't, though). He basically called all the Littmann's (that everyone in our class has) total crap. No mention on which model he recommended, though.

Bottom line, which I think has been the consensus on pretty much every stethoscope thread, is that it doesn't matter what kind of stethoscope you have as long as you learn to use it well.

 

[airferret]

Try different models out to see which one gives you the best accoustics for your ears. Prior hearing damage, physical anatomy, personal tastes all play into what will work for you.

Each year reps from Littman and Welch Allyn show up and set up their booths so we can play with the steths and otos/opths kits, etc. I waited until most people had left for lectures/labs, then took each steth model and listened on the Littman soundboard for a while at the different heart sounds being projected, until I found one that seemed to be better for my ears. I ended up with the Welch Allyn model with a brass thingy on it to enhance conduction (no, I didn't memorize the number, or other stuff). Most of the better steths come with different earpieces and pads, to alter the sounds to your needs. If reps don't show up to your school, check other nearby schools for this event, or, go to a supply store with a good selection and try them out there.

-xtn

 

[Wahoos]

What is a stethoscope? 😀 Can you hear the bones vibrate with those things?

 

[Bad-Obsession]

I use the cardiology III and it works great.

 

[cyclohexanol]

Cardio III here, no problems with it

 

[Random]

This might be a stupid question but... I bought a welch allyn harvey elite before school began (found a nice deal on ebay). Unfortunately at my school, I found out that littman pretty much has a monopoly business here and are the only representatives and the only brands sold at the bookstore. Hence, literally EVERYONE in my class has the littman cardio III. Am I at any disadvantage being the only non-littman person there? I'm guessing the instructor will be teaching completely based on how the littmans work. (tunable diaphragm, etc.) Thanks.

Depends on the instructor. Many of the old school cardiologists regard Littmanns as junk so it's entirely possible they'll use a traditional two-sided scope for demo purposes. Otherwise just remember that when they say light pressure for a Littmann, it translates to using the bell with the Elite.

 

[psipsina]

Try different models out to see which one gives you the best accoustics for your ears. Prior hearing damage, physical anatomy, personal tastes all play into what will work for you.

Each year reps from Littman and Welch Allyn show up and set up their booths so we can play with the steths and otos/opths kits, etc. I waited until most people had left for lectures/labs, then took each steth model and listened on the Littman soundboard for a while at the different heart sounds being projected, until I found one that seemed to be better for my ears. I ended up with the Welch Allyn model with a brass thingy on it to enhance conduction (no, I didn't memorize the number, or other stuff). Most of the better steths come with different earpieces and pads, to alter the sounds to your needs. If reps don't show up to your school, check other nearby schools for this event, or, go to a supply store with a good selection and try them out there.

-xtn

Yeah this is pretty much what I did and went with the harvey elite (the one you described), I just hear better with it so I think it will be easier to learn on . . . its my new toy btw. . . I keep chasing my husband down and demanding to listen to him, lol.

 

[Paola]

is the littmann master classic II any good?????

 

[gluon999]

is the littmann master classic II any good?????

I use it and it works great. Don't need a Littman III when the II is so good.

After all, it is your listening skills that matter the most, not the the stethoscope you are using.

 

[bradt9881]

After 20 years of jet engine noise with the Air Force, the Littmann 3000 electronic scope is my top choice.

 

[MilkmanAl]

I have some crazy Welch Allyn 3-headed contraption. I don't know what the hell I'm doing with it, but it seems to work fine. My only complaint is that it isn't long enough.

 

[meister]

I have a Littman Classic SE II, all black. Pretty sweet looking and it was only like seventy bucks.

If I'm going to do something that requires me to have a better steth I'll buy it then.

 

[45408]

I have a Littman Classic SE II, all black. Pretty sweet looking and it was only like seventy bucks.

If I'm going to do something that requires me to have a better steth I'll buy it then.

Yep, got the same one. I'm in a cards clinic this month, and pretty much every time the cardiologist says there's a murmur, I can hear it with this scope. There's a few that I have trouble hearing, but it's probably not the scope at fault. The skill comes in describing the murmurs.

 

[myKuduSlewaZulu]

I have some crazy Welch Allyn 3-headed contraption. I don't know what the hell I'm doing with it, but it seems to work fine. My only complaint is that it isn't long enough.

Sounds like the Harvey DLX. I have a friend at another school who some how ended up with one haha. Looks like you can use it as a weapon.

I've got the Welch Elite. Burgundy, and 25 in. Good scope as far as I can tell.

 

[soonereng]

I have a Littman Classic SE II, all black. Pretty sweet looking and it was only like seventy bucks.

If I'm going to do something that requires me to have a better steth I'll buy it then.

Our school alumni association gives these to all incoming MS1s for med school (saves us a little dough). I think it's pretty good. My wife uses a Littman Cardio III at work and everytime she grabs mine at home to listen to the kids, she tells me mine sucks. I can't tell that much difference, but whatever.

 

[howelljolly]

Theres some data out there which shows that the bell vs. the diaphragm of the Littman Classic II SE do not detect significantly different frequencies, as a "cardiology" stethoscope would This might make it harder to differentiate between some types of murmurs, (i.e. when the literature says something like "this type of murmur is heard with the bell, and disappears when auscultated with the diaphragm"). It may also be difficult to detect low freqency diastolic murmurs with the bell of the Classic II.

But, nobody reads that sort of esoteric stuff any more, and if you dont go hunting for that sort of thing, you should be just fine with the Classic II. One of the cardiologists I'm doing an elective with uses it. What really counts is what is between the earpieces.