Acoustic or Electronic Stethoscope

Do you prefer using or having used on you an acoustic or electronic stethoscope?

How does it matter unless the examiner is actually diagnosing something?

I prefer acoustic, whether I'm the listener or examiner.

Like Pat, I prefer acoustic scopes whether being the patient or the doctor. They sound better and look better.

I can imagine that the sound quality and volume of the Thinklabs One for instance is way better than any acoustic.

Any thoughts about that?

While I have never used an electronic stethoscope I did come across a review for one which sparked my interest . The model in question was the Littmann's 3000 electronic stethoscope.

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 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.

In my clinical environment it can be fairly noisy so the amplification and noise reduction technology of the electronic versus the acoustic would be interesting to compare in the real world setting.

Having said that a fellow Zity member Ian who owns an electronic Thinklabs said the following

" I have a thinklabs stethoscope that I absolutely love to use for recording myself and any partners I may be playing with. I can understand a cardiologist wanting a tool like that! For me, at least, needing batteries and having a 5 minute shut off timer are kinda annoying, plus its easier to break, there is a greater chance someone would want to steal it, and the ambient noise reduction technology only goes so far."

Interesting ( though acoustic really look better )

Hello, im a cardiologist i have many stethoscopes. In the clinical use the electronics are better for many reasons. The first is the volume. Is possible to auscultate any kind of internal sounds. The second is the noise reduction, very confortable if you use it inside the rumors (as in the ER). But my preferite (as fetish) is my littmann cardiology III in burgundy red. It is marvellous expecially if is used from a females!

I prefer using acoustic stethoscopes, i haven't ever used a electronic stethoscope though

Since I have an electronic and now have some experience with it, I can tell I really in love with my Littmann 3100, beautiful sound quality.

I prefer an electronic stethoscope, it is more durable and faster recording.

I have used an electronic stethoscope and don't care for it. The volume is definitely increased but the white noise is distracting. For anyone with hearing problems it is probably a good idea. I don't care for the timbre of the sound. Give me acoustic one such as a Sprague or Cardiology III any day.

This conversation probably should differentiate between professional use and play. Detailed study of fine sounds is not necessary in play, it is, of course, for professionals.

After purchasing the first Littmann 4000 I think my opinion is always the same .... Absolutely the best electronic . Maybe they do not have the same charm as an object , but the sound quality makes up for this lack incredibly .

I definitely prefer acoustic either as doctor or patient. I love the heavy looking stainless steel heavy head ones. Like Littmann Cardiology or Allen Welch.. Electronic stethoscopes are really a put-off for me.

I definitely prefer acoustic either as doctor or patient. I love the heavy looking stainless steel heavy head ones. Like Littmann Cardiology or Allen Welch.. Electronic stethoscopes are really a put-off for me.

Yes, I agree! Electronic Stethoscopes are a put-off for me, too. They don't look or feel sexy. Heavy stainless steel (or brass) chest pieces with red double rubber tubings are my favorite Stethoscopes! My preferred brand is Haselmeier Supraphon with rubber tubes. But I also love Littmanns with burgundy tubes. Besides the accoustic qualitity (with is excellent with Littmanns), I also appreciate a lot the look and feeling of a Stethoscope. Rubber tubes feel and smell sexy, and heavy chest pieces feel cold on the bare skin which makes nipples erect ;-)

For me, a Stethoscope isn't just an instrument to listens to heart sounds with, it is a very sensual, intimate and erotic item in all its aspects. It is a sexual fetish for me. Just the sight of one oer even saying or hearing the word "STETHOSCOPE" gives me a shiver...

Yours:

RedStethGuy

I prefer also the acoustic one, because they look and feel nicer. Although a good electronic one, maybe has a better sound quality.

I agree with Redstethguy, the Stethoscope is a sexual/sensual thing for me...almost as much of a turn on as the Heart muscle itself...almost! The mere sight of one gets me going and a female saying the word "Stethoscope"......wow!

Well I love my Cardiology IIl acoustic stethoscope which I think is just really great and would not change it. I have always liked the look of the the Welch Allyn Harvey DLX Triple Head acoustic stethoscope. The are specifically designed to accentuate important sounds and enable you to hear cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular sounds without relying on difficult "variable pressure" techniques. So if I ever decide to upgrade my Littmann's then the Welch Allyn Harvey DLX Triple Head would be my choice in a Burgundy.

Today I had an appointment with my 3 consultants and anaesthetist ready for my planned surgery next Friday . I'm having a bronchoscopy, rigid cystoscopy, uretheral stretch and a mass removed from under and behind my right eye . There was a nurse present in the room also .

We discussed in great detail how I will be put to sleep , what order things will be done , recovery and pain management and my aftercare be it in hospital or at home . Then the anaesthetist said he'd like a listen to my heart and lungs as well as my respiratory consultant . So I was asked to go behind the curtain , take off my top and lie on the exam table . So I did what was asked of me and lay down.

All of them came behind the curtain and the anaesthetist said for me to just lie still whilst he listened to my heart whilst checking my pulse at the same time . He got his stethoscope and brought it towards me and I had to look twice . He had a black Littmann Electronic Stethoscope . I've always wanted to see one of these for real , let alone be examined with one .

He placed it slightly under the cup of my bra on the left side and just left it there whilst feeling my pulse . He moved it across slightly , then had another listen for a few minutes whilst still feeling my pulse in my right wrist . He then asked me if I could remove my bra. I have no issue with this usually as my resp consultant always examines me topless , but I felt really embarrassed . So I said " yes , that's fine " and they all stepped out apart from the nurse . I quickly removed my bra and passed it to the nurse and then lay down again .

The 4 of them came back beside the bed and I just focused on the ceiling . The anaesthetist listened to all 4 quadrants of the heart whilst constantly feeling the pulse in the right wrist . He done this for around 5 minutes in total .

He then asked me to sit forward whilst he had a listen to my lungs . He heard some right sided crackles which he mentioned to my resp Dr . He declared the heart fantastic and lungs ok for a CF patient .

The anaesthetist and resp consultant made small talk regarding the exam , whilst my resp consultant examined me with his own Littmann III . I then commented that the exam is less effort on my part with the electronic stethoscope and the anaesthetist asked me if I'd like a quick listen . So I did .

I have to say the sound quality was fantastic . I wasn't asked to breath in and out hard either , so it took less effort on my part and it looks good . It's a stethoscope I will consider buying very soon .

I only have aucoustic cardio style steths here . I would agree that an electronic one would definitely work better for me