Types Of Stethoscope And How To Choose The Right One
Ask any emergency
doctor or medic about the most commonly used tool by them, and the reply will
most likely be – the stethoscope. That’s why it’s very hard to find a doctor
without this device hanging around their neck. In fact, no diagnostic toolkit
is complete without a stethoscope in it. And this is the norm not for years but
for as long as the medical profession exists.
In general, the
stethoscope is used to diagnose heart problems or identify respiratory issues.
The device is used to check the heart and lungs and proceed with the diagnosis.
It helps for making auscultation a far better experience to doctors. There are
stethoscopes available specially for Cardiology, Nursing, Pediatrics, ER,
EMT/EMS, Physician or Veterinary needs.
Furthermore, there
is the littmann stethoscope which
is perhaps the most popular brand name in the medical profession. In fact,
there are stethoscopes especially for students so that they can perform
preliminary diagnosis easily. So, before buying one for yourself, it’s
important to understand their different type and then make an informed
decision.
Types
of Stethoscopes
There are obviously
different types of stethoscopes available in the market to serve medical
professionals as per their areas and branch. The selection thus comes down to
the domain of expertise and the preferences one deals with.
There are 6 main
types of stethoscopes -
Acoustic
These are perhaps
the most common type. They are used by physicians, paramedics, EMTs and
veterinarians. They don’t require any additional equipment to provide results.
The doctor must place the bell of the device on the chest and interpret the
vibrations.
Electronic
They can pick even
low frequency sounds with ease as they have an electromagnetic diaphragm.
Naturally, they cost significantly more than mechanical ones purely for the
ability of picking up the noise of any frequency and magnifying it with
ease.
Foetal
Their only use is
related with expecting mothers as it is used to pick up the sound of the baby’s
heartbeat. They thus have simplicity of design and functionality.
Cardiology
Their design looks
the same as that of an acoustic but are more sophisticated and capable of
picking even the faintest of sounds. Cardiologists use them in mostly
noise-less conditions to pick up murmurs and arrhythmia in the heart.
Pediatric
These stethoscopes
also look very similar to the acoustic type but are smaller in size. They are
designed to pick up the softer sounds made by an infant heartbeat.
Doppler
These devices are
specifically meant for emergency rooms where they are used to pick up on
ultrasound waves. They are used to transmit the faintest of heartbeats.
Tips
to choose the right stethoscope
Choosing a
stethoscope is not an overly complicated matter but yes, it is important to
keep in mind a few things while making the right decision. So, before you look
to buy Littmann stethoscopes in India,
make sure you know its features and usages.
Here are some tips
for choosing the right stethoscope –
Selection
based on the work environment
Whether you need a
device with higher sound amplification or a standard one, will depend on the
environment you work in. Electronic stethoscopes are best suited in cases where
doctors work in a loud setting or clinic with regular streams of visitors. And
if the setting is not loud, non-electronic stethoscopes would be a more
appropriate choice.
Selection
based on the types of patients to handle
You should
understand the stethoscopes differ in their design and capabilities with
regards to specific frequencies. So, it makes sense to go with a pediatric
stethoscope, not one for adults, when you have to treat children and
infants.
Selection
based on the chest piece
Chest pieces are of
varying sizes having a bell and diaphragm design. It’s always a good decision to
buy the device that comes with different kinds of diaphragms. You can go for a
standard fixed diaphragm and can also get a model that can deal with varied
sound responses as per the pressure on it.
Selection
based on double or single tube
Whether the device
has a single or double tube is also a criteria of selecting stethoscopes.
Single wall tubes are considered superior in every aspect so you can give them
a try. On the other hand, double wall tubing will be thicker and can insulate
the sound from the diaphragm to your ears. So, make your choices clear and buy littmann stethoscope online India for ease and convenience.
Selection
based on the materials used
How
long the device will last depends a lot on the kind of materials used. And when
it comes to durability, you should by the stethoscope that has stainless steel
tubing and antimicrobial plastics. Such materials, tend to be harder are good
at picking and transferring sound. They also deliver the best performance in
the long run.