How to Buy a Stethescope

Stethoscopes are fundamental medical instruments useful in many tasks. According to Heathline, stethoscopes are able "to detect and study heart, lung, stomach and other sounds" useful for identifying "respiratory, cardiac, pleural arterial, venous, uterine, fetal and intestinal" problems. While stethoscopes are theoretically very useful, they can be utterly useless if the wrong stethoscope is purchased for a given job. There are very important factors worth considering when buying a stethoscope, since there are several difference sizes and varieties offered through many different vendors.

Instructions

• 1

  Make sure the stethoscopes you're looking at are designed for your intended task. Depending on the size and construction of the stethoscope, it may or may not be well-suited for your purposes. Stethoscopes are designed not only for the specific body sizes associated with infant, pediatric and adult care, but they are also manufactured for specific body parts. Online or storefront stethoscope dealers unable to provide recommended body size and body part information should usually not be trusted.

• 2

  Understand that professional-grade stethoscopes are expensive, usually costing around $100, so make sure a decent warranty covers the product you are buying.

• 3

  Visit authorized product vendors (see Resources). As with most high-quality medical suppliers, manufacturers only authorize certain medical supply stores to sell their product. Unauthorized sellers often sell imitation or factory-second products, and warranties often do not apply when products are purchased through unauthorized sellers.

• 4

  Contact online and storefront vendors concerning product discounts before you buy. Many vendors offer package deals if you buy medical supplies in bulk.

• 5

  Consider electronic stethoscopes for the best quality readings. This newer type of stethoscope, commonly offered under 3M's popular Littmann line, amplifies sounds and also provides electronic noise reduction. Just keep in mind that electronic stethoscopes cost more, ranging between $270.95 and $538.95 at HM International, an authorized stethoscope dealer.