People in the medical profession are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve their practices. One way is by using a device like an electronic stethoscope, which combines traditional acoustic stethoscopes with digital technology. This allows doctors to focus on what they need to hear while simultaneously listening to other sounds that may be happening around them. There are many different brands of electronic stethoscopes available on today’s market, but we have done our research and come up with the 5 best options for you!
Recommended Digital Stethoscopes
- EKO CORE Digital Stethoscope
- 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope
- MDF Digital LCD Clock and Single Head Stethoscope
- Cardionics E-Scope 7700 Clinical Model Stethoscope
- Cardionics E-Scope II 7710 Belt Model Stethoscope
1. EKO CORE Digital Stethoscope
Picture yourself examining a patient for disease symptoms … you want to be as thorough and professional as possible, but you also have another mission: keep your distance. With the EKO CORE Digital Stethoscope, it is easier than ever before.
Built with premium quality materials that are matched by high-performing features, this device will help advance your medical career into new heights with innovative tools, up-to-date technology, and power in your hands. So whether you’re scanning lungs or ears or looking at blood vessels of all sizes, remember that while preserving a safe distance is important in any clinical examination, one thing is always certain–you want the clearest sound possible in order to find what’s not right.
The EKO CORE Digital Stethoscope offers a multitude of features to make your job easier whether you’re a vet or an aspiring cardiologist.
Bringing decades worth of medical expertise into the future, This digital stethoscope is designed with durability and versatility in mind. The rich acoustics of the analog sound mode allows for clear recordings. Enhanced amplification provided by Bluetooth-enabled wireless use emits powerful sounds with any frequency from 110 Hz all the way up to 20 kHz! Upgrading to Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) brings even more clarity by reducing environmental noise interference – just tap on one button and get a superior hearing without having to wear ear protection.
Features:
- See your baby’s heart sounds in real-time
- Save & share recordings with an easy to use interface
- Invite a specialist for help through streaming consults
- Monitor progression of the disease over time
- A stethoscope that’s both reliable and convenient, but also beautiful.
- Experience the best of analog and digital stethoscopes at once.
- Hear clearer in noisy clinical settings with cutting-edge noise-canceling technology.
- FDA cleared and CE Marked for professional use
2. 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope
Meet 3M Littmann’s CORE Stethoscope. It automatically switches between analog and amplified modes to suit your needs, so you can listen how you want when you want. It features tunable diaphragms: an invention from 3M that means it lets you hear different frequency sounds by simply adjusting the pressure on the chest piece. Slip the large diaphragm over your ear tips for low-frequency sounds and just press a little more to hear higher frequencies like stroke rate or heart rate with amazing clarity.
The 3M CORE Stethoscope is also equipped with soft, sealable ear tips for excellent sound occlusion and instant comfort during assessments – even in children who are too young to sit still!
The 3M Littmann CORE digital stethoscope is a cutting-edge medical accessory that easily connects to Eko software on your Mac or PC. The app visualizes and shares heart sound waves, amplifies sound up to 40x, features active noise cancellation for minimized background sounds, and with its soft-sealing ear tips provides exceptional acoustic seal comfortable fit. Lastly, the tunable dual-sided stainless steel chest piece offers either an open bell or closed bell for use in various patient care scenarios.
Features:
- Connects wirelessly for seamless, easy sharing
- Seamless and comfortable listening experience
- Personalize your care with Eko software
- Increased amplification for a more crisp sound
- Compatible with Eko’s software (to share sounds)
- Reduces background noise (with Active Noise Cancellation) and has soft ear pieces for comfort
- Two-sided chestpiece is tunable and open or closed bell
3. MDF Digital LCD Clock and Single Head Stethoscope
This is the chestpiece and digital-analog clock that you’ll love to show your patients. This patented timepiece will allow you to conveniently take measurements without a watch, letting you focus on your patient and not be distracted by a timer ticking in the background. The easy-to-read backlit display shows both pulses with up to 500 beats per minute reading while simultaneously timing the interval from one measurement to the next – so if it can’t tell what’s wrong, at least we’re sure when it was happening.
The MDF Digital LCD Clock and Single Head Stethoscope companion kit include everything you need to get started right away: 1 N3MCH4 digital chestpiece stethoscope (18″ long), 2 sets of earpieces.
The MDF Digital Stethoscope contains a state-of-the-art, lightweight stethoscope head which provides high sound performance. It’s secured twice to ensure maximum durability and has patented safety lock earpieces that are both noninvasive and lead the industry in user safety. This product is perfect for nurses who want an easy way to listen without needlessly hurting or damaging ears – no matter how many hours they’re on the job!
Features:
- Innovative design
- Digital timepiece allows you to conveniently take measurements without a watch and connect with your patients not your watch.
- Free parts program for life, so if anything in the stethoscope breaks or malfunctions they’ll replace it free of charge; Lifetime warranty on all products against manufacturing defects
- Two times more durable
- Patented SafetyLock Eartip Adaptors are non-invasive and leads the industry in user safety
- Lightweight design for easy handling with high sound performance
- Competitive price point
4. Cardionics E-Scope 7700 Clinical Model Stethoscope
Cardionics is the number one name in medical device development and innovation. The Cardionics E-Scope 7700 Clinical Model Stethoscope has a lightweight, slim design that easily goes around your neck when not being used. This is perfect for general purposes such as listening to heartbeats, breathing sounds, bowel, or other body noises by amplifying 30 times louder than acoustic stethoscopes!
The Cardionics E-Scope has all those bells and whistles. Whether you want to hear your patients’ heartbeats or their breathing, this device is perfect. The first thing you’ll notice about this scope is that the volume control is on the side of it so you can adjust sound levels easily during exams. What’s even cooler is that if you forget what volume setting was last selected, there’s an automatic reset button right on top of the head for quick and easy access to the desired level.
It also features fingertip controls for filters so nurses with more sensitive hearing can tweak how they listen for sounds in different frequency ranges.
The Cardionics E-Scope is the perfect tool for modern health care professionals. It features a USB-style side output jack for accessories including headphones and connecting cables to electronic medical records or telemedicine, plus a pediatric diaphragm and plastic adult diaphragm so that you can offer optimum levels of acoustics during your examination. Heavy-duty materials from this American-made stethoscope will last years, reducing white noise amplification as well as providing amplification at 100HZ up to 120dB SPL when it’s powered by one AAA battery.
Features:
- Lightweight, slim-line design
- Specialist Adult Diaphragm provides better sound sensitivity
- Fingertip control of volume and heart sound filters
- Volume control on the head of the stethoscope for easy increase/decrease
- Automatic shut off to conserve battery power
- Less noise
- Works with PC/electronic medical records
- Pediatric and infant bells
5. Cardionics E-Scope II 7710 Belt Model Stethoscope
The Cardionics E-Scope II 7710 Belt Model Stethoscope is a phenomenal new device from the experts at Cardionics that gives you unparalleled insight into your patients’ hearing disorder—from a faint click to an uncommon S3. With 64 gain positions, frequency selector, and extraneous noise filtering, heart sounds never sounded so clear.
This model includes a specialist diaphragm machined from high-grade stainless steel that provides up to 50% more input than other models of stethoscopes and offers many benefits: less outside noise interference, lighter weight for ease of carrying or wearing on the neck (ideal for pediatrics uses), easier sound detection even in noisy environments and improved resistance to corrosion.
An innovation for modern professionals with ITE hearing aids, the Cardionics E-Scope II is designed to remain at the same volume setting each time you power on and has 64 possible volume positions. The Extra Small Belt Model Stethoscope comes equipped with a headset that has extra small ear tips so the device will fit even if your ears are very small or protruding. With a maximum output of 125 dB, this stethoscope provides unsurpassed professional sound quality and convenience in one compact unit.
You’re in good hands with Cardionics because their stethoscopes cover all the bases. The E-Scope II 7710 belt model has a stainless steel diaphragm for 50% more sound sensitivity, split-finger technique support, frequency control (45-900Hz) and power output for recording sounds to listen back on later. Just attach it to your PC or PDA and you have a life-saving diagnostic tool that will go anywhere you do.
Features:
- Hear the heart sounds as a phonocardiogram
- Breath sounds displayed as a 1/8″ male mono output jack.
- USB-style side output jack for accessories including headphones for a second listener or connecting cables to be able to record this data in electronic medical records and telemedicine
- Includes stethoscope with a specialist diaphragm, extra ear tips, carrying case
Comparison Table
Is an electronic stethoscope better than a traditional stethoscope?
The traditional stethoscope is now replaced by offering a digital version. It has a clear LED screen and gives an immediate read-out of the heartbeat rate.
Traditional stethoscopes provide doctors with an acoustic channel to listen to heart and lung sounds but can be trickier to use in some situations for example when examining patients after surgery or patients wearing clothes that make the sounds difficult to hear. In many of these cases, it would confuse physicians because they would not really know what was going on inside. A digital monitor lessens this confusion as they have clarity with better sound quality and transmission range than conventional monitors from which leaves fewer chances for error due to background noise or interference received from other sources like other people talking, traffic, etc…
A digital stethoscope is better but it might not be for everyone. There are a few differences between a traditional and digital stethoscope, each with its own pros and cons. You’ll want to think about whether you’re comfortable standing or sitting while you work, the level of amplification you prefer, whether or how much interference there might be from noise in your environment (in this case it’s good to invest in a digital model),.
How much does a digital stethoscope cost?
The cost for a stethoscope varies between models and your choice of sales channels. For example, a “basic” digital stethoscope costs around $139. Depending on the model that you’re looking at, they can range in price up to hundreds of dollars.
I’ve heard criticism from some people that these types of scopes are expensive since they serve only one use. That’s true, however, if you take into account all of the other benefits like being more comfortable because it has better ergonomics than traditional metal ones as well as improved sound quality (especially in noisy or crowded places), I think it’s reasonable.
I have a traditional one, Should I upgrade to a digital stethoscope?
If you’re looking for something to use mostly at home or as a part-time doctor, then go ahead and buy the traditional stethoscope. If you need advanced features that require connecting with computers, amplifying sounds in order to be audible over background noise, or having something that will last over time with its robust build quality (water resistance), then it’s worth upgrading for sure!
How long does a digital stethoscope last?
This is a tricky question. Stethoscopes are graded at 3 levels which are “Limited Lifetime”, “5 Year Warranty” and “Unlimited Lifetime”. It is important to understand this before making your purchasing decision because sometimes there will be a difference in price for the same product depending on what warranty you accept or reject.
Most digital stethoscopes come with a warranty, but the important thing is to care for your scope and keep it safe. Even when using a quality scope, it’s not uncommon for the tubes or diaphragm to need to be replaced relatively often–most will cost $10-$25. To care for your stethoscope (whether you use the tippy method or not), here are some tips:
Clean with Q-tips dampened in rubbing alcohol; don’t blow out with mouth
Always store all diagnostic probes separately – NEVER allow them to touch one another
Keep away from extreme heat and cold
Store outside of handbag when not in use to avoid deformation from flat surfaces like laptop cases or books that can collect
How often you should charge your digital stethoscope?
It is recommended to charge it once every 60 hours of continuous use. With average usage of 10 hours per day, this means your digital stethoscope should need to be charged about once a week.
You can leave the battery charging while it’s connected through a supplied audio cable, and there’s no need to remove it from the charger once fully charged. When not in use, we recommend storing your digital stethoscope with its rechargeable battery (and terminals) isolated from water or any other material that can corrode its battery terminals and/or damage its micro-computer chips.
The best digital scope is the one that will work with you. It’s important to find one that fits your needs and budget, but also has all of the features you need in order to do your job well. We hope that you find this list informative and helpful in your search for a new device. If not, we are more than happy to answer any questions or provide additional information! Do you have anything specific on your mind? Drop us an email at review@topnurse.info with all the details – we’ll be here waiting to help you make the best decision possible.
Last update on 2021-10-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API