Bell or Diaphragm ?

1) When auscultating with a double head Stethoscope, do you prefer the bell or the diaphragm side ?

2) When being auscultated, do you prefer the bell or the diaphragm side of the Stethoscope ?

(Me, I prefer the diaphragm - it looks sexier, it sounds sexier (the "diaphragm sound" when lifting the steth from the skin :-) and it feels sexier, when the diaphragm is sticking to the skin. Littmann's are the best here, but also the Supraphon (single head with diaphragm) gives good results:9

I'm looking forward to your opinion and to your experience - thank you very much!

RedStethGuy

Bell and diaphragm both have their merits, however the bell can be colder even when fitted with a non chill ring.

I should point out that I'm not comparing the sounds or the correct use here, merely the way it feels for the recipient.

Also, I'm just talking about sensation. The diaphragm contacts more skin, therefore, more sensation. A cold diaphragm on a nipple or groin is hot!

I don't know - I think I like both equally when it comes to being listened to or listening. They both allow you to hear different heart sounds.

I like the diaphragm for listening but I find pictures or video of the bell being used VERY hot! The diaphragm is used for general exam stuff but the bell comes out when the doctor wants to listen to or for heart murmurs and that means intense listening which means the patient wondering what the doctor is listening to and the thought of a doctor hearing heart murmur sounds gets me hot!

I always use both sides. When I listen to my patient's carotids, I use the bell. I use the diaphragm for her lungs and bronchials. I listen all around her heart with the bell first and then the diaphragm, and I use the diaphragm to listen to her bowel sounds and her abdominal aorta. Likewise if I'm on the patient end of a woman's stethoscope.

I like prefer the diaphragm on my skin and to use when im listening to another. I do like to use the bell to press on nipples though and try to make them erect.

Diaphragm, as it's pressed firmly..

Bell requires no pressure..

Diaphragm, for the reasons most people have stated already!

A thorough (and realistic) auscultation requires the diaphragm and the bell, so as the patient I like it best when the doctor takes his time and uses both. When I'm the doctor I use both to make sure my patient gets a realistic examination. I like the diaphragm because I can press it deeply into the pec and imagine it almost touching my patient's heart, but the bell can allow me to best hear the tapping sound of S2 at the aortic and pulmonic areas. And the bell on a Harvey DLX scope is solid metal, and feels so cold on the chest.

I agree

The cardiology steths has great sound with the bell, it's lovely to hear apex beats and carotids with it, but the diaphragm is better feeling on chest, esp if pressed firmly in the fifth intercostal space

Got to go with the diaphragm. Much easier to hear the heart with. Also, cause you have to press it firmly against the skin you really know that you are being stethed 😃

Prefer classic diaphragm and bell. Quite disappointed by Littmann tunable diaphragm.

Quite disappointed by Littmann tunable diaphragm.

Yeah, it really doesn't compare to a real diaphragm/bell.

1)Diaphragm

2)Diaphragm

I like to steth,or be stethed by diaphragm,because i can hear more sounds..ofcourse deppends of pressure on steths...for me Littmanns are best..i must try other Littmans..cardio,stc and all 😃

Love the feel and look of diaphragm for both. Sometimes bell on the carotids can be nice

Diaphragm for everything. I'm not a doctor, so I'm not trying to detect abnormalities; therefore the bell is unneeded. I enjoy the sound much better anyway. Pressing the diaphragm firmly gives the sensation of being closer to the heart also, both mentally and physically. It's nice to be more in touch and closer to the heart. The other person will know how much you desire their heart by your steth pressure. Sometimes being gentle just doesn't cut it. Pressing firmly also leaves sexy steth craters all about the chest. Beware of stethoids falling from above.

I love the look of the bell, reminds me of the old style stethoscopes....it makes me remember getting my heart examined as a kid.

I prefer the diaphragm I honestly need practice on using the bell properly

A traditional stethoscope consists of a bell and a diaphragm. The bell is used with light skin contact to hear low frequency sounds and the diaphragm is used with firm skin contact to hear high frequency sounds. Use light contact to hear low frequency sounds. Press firmly for high frequency sounds.

Another point to note use the stethoscope on bare skin to avoid picking up the sound of rustling fabric. Sounds quality can be improved by wetting the skin with warm water to avoid sound pollution from the small hairs on the skin.

I would rather the diaphragm.

I think I'd have to go for diaphragm

Diaphram definitely! Especially ones without the non-chill rim! 😃

Usually diaphragm, though I really wish my doctor used the bell more often.

With Littmanns tunable diaphragm it's easy to switch with pressure so I often play with pressing it firmly or ligthly, on the 3100 the filters resulting a much different acoustics, with the bell the heart is like a bassy drum, and with the diaphragm mode lung sounds are like a tornado, I really love it!

I love both but the older style stethoscopes that just had the cone shaped bell are very arousing to see being used!

Right, the cone-like old-fashioned bell is the best.

I like both, and I use both a lot. 😃)

Prefer the diaphragm.