How to Compare Stethoscopes

Stethoscopes are common tools used by clinical practitioners to assess and monitor patient health. A simple flat chest piece is perfect for checking blood pressure, while a triple-head chest piece offering 85 percent ambient-noise reduction is a compelling feature for more specialized work. Stethoscopes provide amplified sounds, and models are available for general physical diagnosis and pediatric assessment, as well as to distinguish heart sounds in cardiology patients. Electronic stethoscopes provide impressively clear sounds with the greatest range of frequencies. Trial and practice in using the various models will help you decide which is right for you.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider the main purpose for the stethoscope. Pediatric stethoscopes are designed specifically for use on infants and children, while a good cardiology stethoscope can detect a full range of heart sounds. Some stethoscopes are acceptable for general physical assessment, and others have limited use such as those used with blood-pressure cuffs.

• 2

  Check stethoscopes for a volume control, which is available only on electronic and digital models.

• 3

  See whether the stethoscope has a tunable diaphragm. These stethoscopes have one dual-frequency diaphragm that operates by controlling the pressure applied to the chest piece. No need to turn the diaphragm over during assessment.

• 4

  Evaluate chest piece design and technology. Chest pieces are available in single-sided, double-sided and even triple-headed to provide bell, corrugated diaphragm and flat diaphragm in one unit. Materials can include plated and polished alloy or stainless steel.

• 5

  Compare chest-piece sizes. Chest pieces are specifically designed for pediatric or adult use. Some chest pieces are two-sided and can therefore accommodate both infants and adults.

• 6

  Look for features that offer extra comfort. Check for soft and flexible eartips, tubing that is long enough for your arm reach, and binaurals that offer a snug fit.

• 7

  Feel the weight of the stethoscope. Stethoscopes are available from around 4.2 oz. to more than 8 oz.

• 8

  Compare the clarity of sound. Cardiology-grade, acoustic and electronic stethoscopes give the clearest sounds and best acoustics.

• 9

  Look for special convenience features. Some models will hold their last mode and volume settings. Electronic models can provide Bluetooth technology for wireless transfer of sounds to your computer.

• 10

  Compare amplification power. Electronic stethoscopes can amplify up to 24 times as much over their traditional counterparts. They also boast tremendous ambient-noise reduction, with up to 85 percent of background noise reduced.