What’s a Stethoscope and what’s the purpose of using it?
Not once will you ever see a doctor walking around without a stethoscope around their neck. This is because it’s an important medical instrument without which proper diagnosis would be impossible.
A Stethoscope is a medical instrument that is used to assess bodily sounds and breathing patterns including heart rate, etc. It typically has a small disc shaped resonator that’s placed against the chest with one or two tubes connecting it to the ear pieces to accurately gauge the sounds and their frequencies.
The main purpose of using it is to assess the symptoms accurately so that proper diagnosis can be made in order to treat the person.
Types Of Stethoscope And Their Uses
What stethoscope is good for?
A stethoscope is a medical tool that is extremely important to use for accurate medical diagnosis. It is used for auscultation under which circulatory, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems are being observed for sound activity and patterns of frequencies.
Typical components of a stethoscope
Criteria for selection:
- Design
- Comfort
- Ease of Disinfecting/Cleaning
- Sound Quality
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1. FriCARE – Patented Featuring A Classic Design
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Available in: Australia, Canada, UK and US
Quick Overview
First up, presenting you a patented and classic stethoscope by FriCare company that is used by most doctors and nurse, and which can be used at home as well, is the most convenient stethoscope that we came across. Featuring a lightweight design with no trouble of the earpieces falling out owing to the spiral insides that secure the ear tips firmly.
Besides that, it comes with extra ear tips and is comfortable to put on. The tube is durable as it is oil and sweat resistant. The length of the Matt finish tube, which is 28 inches, perfectly complements the sound quality. Moreover, with airtight seal and rotatable metal O-ring, it becomes easy to clean and disinfect, making it more convenient to be used repeatedly.
Above all, the double-sided chest piece design allows greater accuracy of sound, as the bell is for low frequency, while the diaphragm is for high frequency, allowing you to pick up S1 and S2 sounds.
Final Thoughts:
To conclude about this product, though it features a basic design, it is lightweight, easy to maintain, comes with a warranty, has brilliant sound quality and is comfortable to wear.
Not just that, but it does the job of a stethoscope perfectly which is just what anyone would expect out of it. All in all, this one ticks off all the elements in our criteria easily.
2. Prestige Medical – Convenient Tube Length
Quick Overview
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Available in: Australia, Canada, UK and US
Another classic and lightweight stethoscope would be this one. Coming with comfortable and soft PVC warriors and basic design, it is sure to do the job well. It is ideal for general auscultation. Besides that, the length is approximately 32 inches, which is also reasonable to easily assess the body sounds. The sound quality is great too.
Further, it can be easily disinfected as well. It comes with both, the bell and diaphragm side. Also, it comes with extra pair of soft earpieces. It also has lifetime warranty and free replacement of parts for lifetime which makes it a safe and convenient investment. It would be great for use by students as well because its a pretty basic stethoscope that does the job well.
Final Thoughts:
All in all, similar to our first pick, this one too, offers great functionality in terms of acoustic performance which is just what you need from a stethoscope. It is also very comfortable to wear and comes with extra pair of PVC rubber ear pieces. It is great for nurses as well as students. Finally, it ticks off all the aspects in our list too.
3. Forum Novelties Inc – The King of Classic Stethoscopes
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Available in: Australia, Canada, UK and US
Quick Overview
In the ongoing stream of classic and traditional stethoscopes, let’s not forget this one by Forum Novelties Inc. A stethoscope could not get simpler to use than this one where you simply have to hand wash to disinfect it and the plastic tips make it easy to wear and won’t cause any discomfort.
Though the colors may vary, the length is about 30 inches which is great as that will allow better evaluation of the body sounds. Moreover, the spring back top can hang around your neck too, making it easy to carry. All in all, it is ideal for students in medical schools as well as practitioners who run clinics.
Final Thoughts:
It can be safely concluded that this classical stethoscope is ideal for evaluating body sounds owing to its simple functionality and it is very easy to maintain too. No hassles, whatsoever is associated with it. You can carry it around your neck with ease too. Ticks off the aspects in our list easily
4. Ever Ready First Aid – The Aesthetically Pleasing One
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Available in: Australia, Canada, UK and US
Quick Overview
Anatomically designed with an interesting range of colors, this stethoscope is a modern, yet a powerful medical instrument. Ideal for medical diagnosis and can be used by doctors to assess the body sounds. Not just that, but it can be used at home by adults too. It comes with dual heads and custom fit earpieces that are comfortable to put on.
Interestingly, it eliminates the auditory interference that the traditional two tube stethoscopes tend to create. Not just that, but the length of the tube allows easy assessment too. The ear tubes are flexible and easy to adjust as well.
Final Thoughts:
This Sprague style stethoscope should be a steal for all the medical professionals out there, even the adults who wish to assess themselves timely at home. Owing to the great features and functionality, we can’t find any negatives in this one. Definitely ticks off all the aspects in our criteria.
5. ASATechmed – Handcrafted With Lots of Additional Perks
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Available in: Australia, Canada, UK and US
Quick Overview
This stethoscope comes with a resourceful storage box with compartments for each equipment. It is water resistant and has a slim design which makes it travel friendly too.
Coming to the stethoscope, it is handcrafted with two-sided chrome plated chest piece along with non latex and flexible tube. It comes with a non chill ring, offering versatility and comfort for patient. The acoustic performance is remarkably good as claimed by the clients as well as the company. It is also very comfortable to wear owing to the soft silicone ear tips. Also, it is easily maintained too for disinfection purposes.
Final Thoughts:
This is an excellent stethoscope that comes with additional perks that are not ordinary in any sense. Even the storage case is premium, therefore you should keep an eye out for this one. The functionality and design are all great too. It excels in each aspect in our criteria as well.
6. 3M Littmann Classic III – The Renowned and Modern One
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Available in: Australia, Canada, UK and US
Quick Overview
One of the most renowned stethoscopes, 3M Littmann Classic III is a powerful, yet lightweight medical equipment. Ideal for use in general wards, clinics, or even at home. It is a great tool to asses wide range of patients and to detect abnormal and normal sound patterns and rhythms. Moreover, it is tunable, two-sided chest piece with open and closed belt.
Further, with interesting color, it looks very sophisticated and is very comfortable to wear. Not just that, but it’s also easy to maintain and disinfect. The width of the chest piece is thinner than other typical stethoscopes, however the acoustic performance is excellent.
Final Thoughts:
Concluding that, this stethoscope is made up of high-quality material providing both the durability and performance.
7. MDF Classic Cardiology – The One With The Ergonomic Design
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Intuitively hand crafted, with a premium ergonomic design, MDF classic dual head stethoscope makes a powerful and comfortable medical tool for the accurate assessment of bodily sounds. It comes with acoustic clarity and preciseness, comfortable ear pieces to prevent ear drums puncture and lifetime warranty. It comes along with 3 types of ear tips namley small, medium and large.
The design is modern and resourceful. It is ideal for medical professionals as well as adults at home to monitor heart rate, and other sounds. Also, it offers great value of money too.
Final Thoughts:
The product is excellent in terms of the sound quality and acoustic performance. The design, too, is modern and sophisticated. Also, it comes with free replacement of parts for lifetime, so it’s a good steal. Finally, it does tick off all the aspects in our criteria too.
8. BJÖRN HALL – The One With Unrivaled Scandinavian Quality
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Available in: Australia, Canada, UK and US
Quick Overview
With added length and superior quality Björn hall stethoscope comes with smooth Matt feel tube that doesn’t pull your neck hair when you hang it. It is very comfortable to wear and easy to maintain. Packed with powerful functionality, it makes an ideal stethoscope to measure blood pressure, heart rate and other bodily sounds.
It comes with lightweight and modern design with high durability owing to the unrivaled Scandinavian quality. Ergonomically designed and acoustically sealed fit for capturing high- and low-pitched sounds precisely. It also suitable for gifting someone on their graduation or to a doctor owing to the stylish design.
Final Thoughts:
To conclude about this pick, we can safely claim that it’s a great steal for all those looking for a reliable, comfortable and a modern stethoscope. It ticks off all the elements in our criteria too. It comes with 100% money back guarantee as well, so it would be a safe investment
9. Ekohealth – Ultimate Sound Quality With Noise Cancellation Technology
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Available in: Australia, Canada, UK and US
Quick Overview
Ekohealth stethoscope is a stellar piece of medical equipment that is much lighter and sleeker than others. It’s much more powerful too. The company prides itself in delivering excellent quality equipment to its clients and this stethoscope is no exception either. It delivers superior quality acoustic and digital sounds, along with noise cancellation technology which eliminates background noises.
It is FDA approved and is very comfortable to wear too. A unique thing about it is that it has Bluetooth supported wireless auscultation to maintain healthy physical proximity with the patient to avoid spread of diseases. It can be used by veterinarians, doctors as well as students.
*Eko health is used in the following hospitals:
- Northwestern Medicine
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Children’s Hospital Colorado
- Sutter Health
- Nemours
- Spectrum Health
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for reliability above anything else when it comes down to choosing a stethoscope, then you should pick this one. It is FDA approved with modern design and excellent sound quality. It easily ticks off all the aspects in our criteria too
10. Classic III Stethoscope – The One With Environmentally Friendly Tubing
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Available in: Australia, Canada, UK and US
Quick Overview
Last, but not the least, this stethoscope is a premium quality medical tool that has unique technology. With tunable diaphragm technology, you’ll be able to detect various frequencies of sounds by adjusting the pressure on the chest piece and making accurate diagnosis. Further, it has a special design with comfortable ear pieces that do not fall off easily.
Also, complying to the CSR policies, the company prides itself in the environmentally friendly tubing which does not contain phthalate plasticizers. It comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty along with a sleek and modern design and powerful functionality.
This is a powerful medical tool for assessing different kinds of bodily sounds accurately. The added length and excellent acoustic performance make it more useful for all doctors and medical professionals. Finally, it ticks off all the elements in our criteria.
Final thought:
This is a powerful medical tool for assessing different kinds of bodily sounds accurately. The added length and excellent acoustic performance make it more useful for all doctors and medical professionals. Finally, it ticks off all the elements in our criteria.
Conclusion
By now you must be well aware regarding the functionality of stethoscopes, along with sound quality, comfort and other different factors as discussed above that makes up for a good stethoscope. Having said that, all of the picks that we covered could be counted as good stethoscopes. You won’t go wrong with any of these. Happy browsing.