As everyone knows, stethoscopes come in various types. Generally speaking the kind of stethoscope that a veterinarian uses differs from one that’s used by a nurse, a cardiologist, a surgeon, a pediatrician, and so on.
When it comes to stethoscopes, the rule of thumb is to always pick one that can address your basic needs or serve your main purpose for the said device. So if you are a doctor, it obviously follows that you need to get a stethoscope that can help you in your day-to-day duties.
What Do Doctors Need?
We took into account various factors whenever we analyze and rate stethoscopes. For doctors, we took into consideration the fact that they need nothing but the best. For one, they will require a high caliber unit that’s very versatile, precise, and highly durable. In addition to that, the unit has to be very handy and convenient to use since a doctor is always on the go.
Ultimate Acoustics
Given these areas of consideration, we have identified that the Littmann Master Cardiology is the top stethoscope for doctors. The Littmann Master Cardiology is the top of the line cardiology unit; it is the ultimate acoustic stethoscope that’s highly recommended for medical professionals because of several reasons. For one, its single-sided chest piece makes it very convenient and easy to tune into low and high frequencies without having to turn the chest piece over. Then it includes a special procedures adaptor to address those difficult neonatal and pediatric auscultation examinations. On top of all of these, its sound quality is highly defined and it minimizes unnecessary noise. It is also very comfortable to use because of its soft-seal ear tips.
Color Variety
One other factor why the Littmann Master Cardiology is in demand is that it is available in a variety of tube colors and chestpiece finishes. The unit is also scratch resistant and can withstand corrosion and impact. It also carries a 7 year warranty — the longest one for any Littmann stethoscope.
If you are looking for a stethoscope that’s designed for versatility and peak performance, the Littmann Master Cardiology is the perfect choice. It is surely no surprise why it is one of the best selling units on Amazon today!
Top 3 Best Selling Stethoscopes For Doctors:
- Littmann Master Cardiology
- Littmann Cardiology III
- Littmann Master Classic II
The list shown are the best sellers on Amazon that are purchased by doctors. All these Littmann units are available at the best deals through the embedded links. Click the links to learn more about each unit.
Our top 3 picks can surely meet the needs of the doctor when on the job. It is an ideal selection to choose from when you’re in search for that perfect stethoscope for work.
The Two Major Types of Stethoscopes
Stethoscopes fall into two general classifications: acoustic and electronic. These two types are further discussed below:
Acoustic Stethoscopes
The acoustic stethoscope is the standard device that you would often see being used by the majority of medical practitioners worldwide. This type of device works by transmitting the sound from the stethoscope’s chest piece to the ear tips or ear pieces via the tubing and binaural.
Acoustic stethoscopes are widely used as they are ergonomically designed and reliable. However, in 1999, it was pointed out that one major issue with this type of stethoscope is the very low sound level. In 2002, stethoscope manufacturers invented what’s called an inner stratified continuous lumen and a kinetic acoustic mechanism to address this issue.
Today, various acoustic models are out in the market — from models ideal for entry-level use to high-end models for specialized and extensive use. There are even acoustic stethoscopes that are specially designed for fetal use (these listening trumpet-shaped acoustic stethoscopes are referred to as fetal stethoscopes or “Pinard‘s stethoscopes”).
For doctors, a cardiology stethoscope is the top pick as it is the ultimate instrument for cardiologists, pediatricians, gynecologists, and those medical professionals who are exposed to critical medical situations because of its incomparable acoustics, advanced tunable technology and enduring design. The perfect example of this is the Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope. But if you do not need a stethoscope that’s as powerful as a cardiology stethoscope, and you just need an all-around instrument that’s reliable, you can go with the classic type as it can suffice (like the the Littmann Classic II SE for example).
Electronic Stethoscopes
Electronic stethoscopes are also known as “stethophones”. These are devices that have the ability to electronically amplify low level body sounds. This type basically works like a microphone. It converts sound waves to amplified electrical signals to provide a louder and much clearer sound.
Stethophones are generally more advanced as opposed to acoustic stethoscopes. There are even electronic models that have ambient systems for filtering noise, just like Littmann’s 3000 model.
Which Stethoscope is best for a Doctor?
Again, the rule of thumb in choosing a stethoscope is to first assess what you need to get your job done. If you are a general practitioner like say for example, you practice in the field of family medicine; you can get a cardiology stethoscope since it has a 2-in-1 chest piece. This means that this model is versatile as it can be used in adults and children.
On the other hand, if you need something more general that can address the needs of being a school doctor, the features of classic acoustic stethoscopes can get the job done. Obviously, if you need something more powerful, go with electronic stethoscopes.