Stethoscope: traditional or electronic?

I have an electronic littmann too, and it's awesome, the sound quality is very good and faint heart sounds can be heard very easily with it, the other thing I really like the lcd screen with the pulse counter.

Traditional for me

Certainly acoustic with good sound quality

Traditional all the way 😃

I've never listened through an electronic stethoscope and would like to try one out on the chest of a willing female patient, but the electronic stethoscope would have to be really good to outperform my acoustic stethoscope.

Prefer traditional stethoscope. An electronic stethoscope times out after a short time using it.

I've never used an electronic, but I would like to some day.

To hrtbt: which model electronic Littmann did you get? I've got a LIttmann 4200 and it doesn't sound much louder than a good acoustic stethoscope.

I have a 3100, and it's really great, I can compare to the cardiology III and it's the same sound quality, but it is much louder on full amplification.

To hrtbt: thanks, maybe the 3100 is a more recent model. I noticed that they push the ambient noise reduction on the newer models. That is also a problem on my 4200.

Traditional

Traditional acoustic steths are the way to go in my opinion.

Like many people here, I prefer traditional stethoscopes. The electronic ones are interesting, but somehow they do not symbolize the excitement and awe for me. It feels strongly detached and not at all Intimate. Might be also because they are not properly cold and I associate the chill of a traditional stethoscope with a pleasant sense of vulnerability and with the feeling of being gently invaded.

Traditional 😃 of course

I have only traditional stethoscopes , but i would like to buy an electronic because i think that i could amplify the sound in my ears (so it begins very loud) and if i connect it to my pc i can hear the sound through the speakers in the room 😃

I have never had the opportunity to use or listen through an electronic stethoscope, but would like to. It would be interesting to compare the sound quality as electronic stethoscopes can amplify ( up to 18 times greater than the best non-electronic stethoscope) and the ambient noise reduction technology cancels out "an average of 75% of distracting room noise. So in a clinical environment with room sounds, alarms etc you could easily miss a quiet murmur with a traditional stethoscope .( figures quote for the 3M Littmann Electronic Stethoscope Model 3000)

This was taken by a review by an MD

" I wasn't fully convinced the Model 3000 was worth it until I showed it to another resident. She placed the chestpiece on her heart — over her clothes, mind you — and listened. Her eyes widened. "Oh my god," she said, "I have . I was never able to hear it before." And I listened too. She was right. Even through her clothes, you could clearly hear the mid-systolic click."

So it may be worth it for use in a clinical environment..

But as others have mention the sight of a traditional stethoscope does induce a sense of excitement that an electronic one may not.

So it is a catch 22 situation

Traditional acoustic, Electronic ones have never appealed to me.

I personally like traditional. I am sure each has it's own merits. Just grew up with traditional. Better feel to my body personally.

Only traditional. There are many sexy models. And an electronic stethoscope doesn't excite me.

I would love to have an electronic stethoscope, as I have moderate hearing loss and it's sometimes hard to hear my heartbeat. I prefer the sight of a traditional one, though.

As far as I understand the electronic ones are far more superior in detecting unusual activities going on inside, however, the look of the traditional stethoscope really enhances the play type of examinations. It just would not seem the same with my play doc b/f came to listen to my heart beat with an electronic one.

Electronic stethoscopes look and feel horrible for me...

All though some of the newer electronic ones are amazing, when my friends have a problem, I still use my failth full old cardiology II.

Lets say, the old ways are often the best ways 😉

I think electronic stethoscopes are really cool.

For me, however, traditional is the way to go. I like the looks more.

Traditional for me. Dual head. Electronic would be cool to try, though.

Prefer traditional stethoscope. Electronic stethoscope does not have same sound quality.

I do agree on the look & feel of traditional stethoscopes.

The electronic models have a less "natural" sound also, although they can have some interesting functions, like dual bell+diaphragm at once, record and repeat, and slow repeat.

But physically and emotionally, the "direct" connection between the patient and the doctor through traditional stethoscopes are better for me, also

But physically and emotionally, the "direct" connection between the patient and the doctor through traditional stethoscopes are better for me, also

Yes, I agree. The "direct connection" between the (heart of the) patient and the (emotion of the) doctor is essential for me. And this direct connection is only possible with the traditional Stethoscope, where the heart beat is transmitted directly (by variations of the air pressure in the Stethoscope tubes) to the ears of the doctor. That is the real connection. And this connection enables a direct feedback between patient and doctor. For me, that's the only way of connecting two hearts together. It's difficult to describe - you must feel it.

Perhabs, you find better words...

I only have traditional acoustic ones up to now. However, I would not mind trying out an electronic one soon.

Nevertheless, I think that acoustic ones would be my preferred choice unless it is about doing a "remote" exam...