A medical student and a doctor know about the importance of stethoscopes. A stethoscope is a vital part of every doctor’s personality. Stethoscopes give ideas about the number of times a heart beats in a single minute. It can also be used to listen to the blood flowing inside the peripheral vessels or to hear the sound of the heart of fetuses developing in pregnant women. Doctors use stethoscopes to diagnose the medical conditions of patients within a few minutes.
There was a time in India when only the qualified practitioners knew how to use stethoscopes. Still, in the modern era, due to the increasing number of health problems, even the non-professionals keep stethoscopes and other medical instruments such as heart rate monitors, BP Monitor, glucometers in their homes.
Whether you are a newly enrolled medical student, a practicing doctor, or a non-professional, this article will surely help you select a good quality stethoscope for yourself. We have listed the top ten best selling stethoscopes that are available in India; we have also mentioned the things that we liked and didn’t like in these stethoscopes. Each of them has its unique features and price range.
Different types of Stethoscopes
Stethoscopes are available in various categories. It is one of the primary tools for doctors while detecting the disease. Mainly six types of stethoscopes are available on the market. Each has some specific uses and roles for the detection of diseases. It will be good to know the names of different types of stethoscopes. They are cardiology stethoscopes, infant stethoscopes, neonatal stethoscopes, pediatric stethoscopes and, electronic stethoscopes.
The mode of working of each of the stethoscopes is different from each other. Take, for example, an electronic stethoscope that is used to diagnose the health issues from the sound that comes of the chest. This stethoscope converts the sound waves into electric waves. These sounds are transmitted through circuits. You will love to see the pediatric stethoscopes. They almost look like a toy. The pediatrics used it so the kids can take it as a gaming tool.
A stethoscope will help you to go through the abdominal and thoracic organs of the body along with the blood vessels. It is not merely a rubber tool or a gaming one. But it will help to diagnose the condition of the patient. A doctor is incomplete with a stethoscope. It is the primary tool to detect the present body condition of the patient.
Best Buy Stethoscopes Online In India
There are specific points that are needed to be kept in mind before buying a stethoscope. As we all know, the Indian market is flooded with different brands and qualities due to this reason choosing a perfect product becomes challenging at times. Therefore, we have prepared a buying guide for you. This buying guide will help you select the stethoscope of your choice that will not only be under the budget but will also meet all your patient diagnosis needs.
1. IndoSurgicals Silvery II-SS Stethoscope
Indosurgicals is considered to be one of the most reputed manufacturers for Stethoscopes. It is known for its affordable price and best quality features. The Indosurgicals Silvery II-SS Stethoscope (Blue) comes along with a unique double-sided chest piece technology. This enhances the quality of the stethoscope.
The stethoscope makes it easy to catch better frequencies to the users because of the machined stainless steel that is present in the chest piece. Moreover, the chest piece is high in terms ofsensitivity. It is perfect for Heartbeat, Blood pressure sound, and even for lungs. The Indosurgicals brand offers five attractive colors of stethoscopes, which makes it an eye-catching product for people who prefer aesthetics.The stethoscope is made using remarkable Built quality, so the stethoscope is durable enough to last for a longer time. Additionally, the stethoscope comes with soft ear tips and spare diaphragm, which is free from extra charges.
What we liked:
- The earpiece of the stethoscope is excellent in terms of comfort.
- The sound quality of the stethoscope is excellent.
- The chest piece is perfectly sturdy and heavy.
What we didn’t like:
- A few customers have reported minor damages in the stethoscope.
- The stethoscope does not detect lower frequencies correctly.
- The quality of the tube is condemnable.
2. Dr. Morepen ST01 Deluxe Stethoscope
Dr. Morepen STo1 deluxe stethoscope is made using unique PVC tubing technology, which optimizes its performance and attracts every medicinal practitioner towards it. The stethoscope comes with an open spring frame, which is plated using the Brass chrome, this helps reduce the undesirable noise.
The stethoscope comes with an enhanced hearing character along with dual frequencies, which makes the examination of patients even more perfect. The stethoscope offers a practical and better sound quality, which is because it has been designed using soft ear knobs.
This stethoscope is best suitable for pre-med students who have just stepped into the medical world and are new learners.
What we liked:
- The quality and accuracy of sound are good enough.
- The stethoscope comes with diaphragms and earplugs.
- The tube of the stethoscope is quite soft and can last for a longer time.
- The pricing of the product is apparent.
What we didn’t like:
- The earplugs are not soft enough.
- The undesirable background noises disrupt the proper sound of heartbeats.
- The stethoscope is not perfect for qualified physicians but can be used by learners.
- A few customers have complained about the quality of the stethoscope.
3. Healthgenie 14377 Hg-201B Stethoscope
Healthgenie is another brand that has spent years making a niche for itself in the market of stethoscopes and has got a considerable amount of success. The Healthgenie 14377 Hg-201B stethoscope is affordable and reasonably priced.
The stethoscope is designed using dual layers of aluminum, which makes it a durable product. It is not only suitable for learners but can also be used by experienced practitioners. The chest piece is very light in weight and can be worn around the neck without issues. It is perfectly compatible with both the low and high frequencies.
The tubing of this stethoscope is strong, making it last long without breaking. The stethoscope does not harm the ear as it has the softest quality of the ear tips. Hence you can use this stethoscope consistently without straining your ears. The sensitivity of the stethoscope is appreciable being high acoustic.
What we liked:
- The built quality of this stethoscope is exceptional and perfect.
- The stethoscope is cost-effective and is worth its price.
- The earplugs fit very perfectly without causing strain to the ears.
Whatwe didn’t like:
- It does not work for fetal heartbeats.
- Sometimes the earplugs bend unnecessarily.
- A few customers have received damaged products.
4. Micro Tone MSI Stethoscope
Although the microtone MSI is a new brand that is well known, it is rapidly gaining a toehold in the market. The Micro tone MSI uses a straightforward formula: Offer a good quality and classic stethoscope at a very reasonable price.
This stethoscope comes with a 45 mm chest piece, which is anodized using aluminum alloy, this makes the stethoscope durable so that it can last for a more extended period without issues. The stethoscope is equipped with an extra soft ear tube that sits tightly in the ear without falling repeatedly. The delicate nature of the ear tube also increases the comfort level of the person using this stethoscope.
Additionally, the Micro tone MSI stethoscope has a 175Mm of the head frame, which is made using a brass pipe of 5 mm thickness. It can be comfortably carried around the neck because of its light-weight nature. The additional pairs of ear knobs and diaphragm make it a good buy.
What we liked:
- The pricing of the product is reasonable.
- The sound quality is quite decent.
- The overall quality of the stethoscope is good.
- The product is worth the price.
What we didn’t like:
- The tube of this stethoscope is not very strong and long-lasting.
- The quality of the sound could have been better.
5. JSB S04 Sprague Rappaport Type Double tube Stethoscope
The JSB S04 Stethoscope is a classic in all ways. It is a proficient stethoscope that is suitable for everyday use by professionals. This stethoscope is famous for many reasons. The robust tube construction ensures less damage even after consistent uses. The heavy chest piece with brass frame makes the product even more reliable.
As the name suggests, the stethoscope is designed with a unique double tube technology, which increases the conductivity and makes it a lifelong trustable thing. The diaphragm is crafted excellently, making it a suitable choice for professionals. One of the greatest strengths of this stethoscope is its acoustic performance.
The stethoscope is designed in such a way that it can capture each heartbeat with perfection, and that is why it comes under the list of some highly sensitive stethoscopes. For added convenience and comfort, the ear knobs are made extra soft. Plus, the stethoscope is dual-headed (rapport type), which gives the professionals a higher level of clarity during the examination of the patients.
What we liked:
- The stethoscope provides comfort to the ears.
- The built quality of the product is appreciable.
- Audibility is inherently good.
What we didn’t like:
- The earpiece is quite hard.
- The stethoscope is quite heavy; this may be due to its dual tube technology.
6. MCP Dual Head Stethoscope
In the world of stethoscopes, the MCP dual head stethoscope is another good choice. It is specially designed in an ergonomic way, which ensures ease and comfort to the medical practitioners as well as to the patients.
The combination of a long-lasting single lumen tubing system and a durable stainless-steel in the chest-piece signifies the higher quality of the product. On the chest piece, the sounds of both the higher and lower frequencies can be easily monitored with just a simple pressure. The dual-head design of the chest-piece is remarkable. Both the chest-piece and the tube can be cleaned easily.
Young professionals look for stylish and trendy stethoscopes; if you are one of them then this stethoscope is perfect for you, it is not only stylish but is also sturdy and can be used for a long period without any issues of damage.
The double diaphragm technology effectively accentuates the sound. The stethoscope allows you uninterrupted monitoring; this is because of the high acoustic nature of the stethoscope. You can auscultate the heartbeats, chest, and lungs of patients accurately and look for signs of heart failures.
What we liked:
- The pricing of the product is good, and the quality is worth the value.
- The sound quality is perfect.
What we didn’t like:
- The chest-piece is quite delicate and can break easily.
- Ear-piece is also not very strong.
7. Hi-Tech Msi Microtone Stethoscope
This is another favorite model of stethoscope from the brand Microtone MSI. It includes a chest-piece that is made using aluminum and has a unique diaphragm constructed for adults.
The stethoscope has a very high acoustic sensitivity, which helps in making the examination of patients successful. One of the customers of this product has said that this stethoscope is so easy to use that even his child can use it. With an affordable price and appreciative quality, this stethoscope is a very good deal for everyone, including new learners. Moreover, on a lighter note, listening to the heartbeat becomes fun if the sound is clear.
The brand offers high performance at a very reasonable price. Additionally, this model of Hi-tech Micro tone MSI stethoscope comes in a variety of colors such as grey, red, blue, and black. This feature of different color range makes it an eye-catching product.
What we liked:
- The packaging of the product is perfectly fine.
- The brand offers a warranty for one complete year.
- The quality of the sound is noticeable.
- The price is reasonable.
What we didn’t like:
- The earpieces are quite stiff and tight.
- The diaphragm is quite delicate and can break upon falling down the floor.
8. MDF Instruments Dual Head Stethoscope
This elegant looking stethoscope is a must-have for people who prefer aesthetic products. The MDF Dual head stethoscope has a very classic construction. It is light in terms of weight and can be carried around the neck without any discomfort.
The instrument effectively diagnoses the heartbeats, knockoff sounds, and lung sounds with acoustic clarity and integrity. The ergonomic design ensures comfort for not only the doctors but also the patients, even if it is used for an extended period.
The stethoscope is handcrafted precisely using a premium quality aluminum. It is an ultimate choice with unmatched durability and performance. The chest-piece is constructed with an ultra-lightweight aluminum for the highest performance. The acoustic valve system comes with a green-colored indicator dot, which allows the users to identify the active sound channel very easily. Moreover, the tube of this stethoscope is constructed using denser, thicker, and latex-free PVC. The tube of this stethoscope is longer than the average, which creates a comfortable space between the patient and the health professional.
The headset of the stethoscope is made up of brass, which hand-polished and plated with chrome; this makes the construction unique and also strengthens the headset.
What we liked:
- The sound of the auscultation is clear.
- The packaging of the stethoscope is appreciable.
- The construction of this stethoscope is very attractive and eye-catching.
- The pricing of this product is very reasonable. Pre-med students can afford it.
- The tubing is quite thicker while the bells are also quite bigger.
What we didn’t like:
- We found no cons so far.
9. 3M Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope
The 3M Littmann Classic III Stethoscope offers a very high acoustic sensitivity stethoscopes. This provides exceptional performance to the doctors during the patient’s examination procedure. The stethoscope comes with a dual tunable diaphragm that has an updated design and is easy to maintain and clean.
It is one of the latest version stethoscopes, which helps the medical professionals achieve their best and successful diagnosis of patients. The 3M Littmann Classic III stethoscope provides a high level of acoustic sensitivity for a unique performance, plus a flexible chest-piece (two-sided) that has reconfigurable diaphragms. This stethoscope specially built to help the students and professionals in a similar way to study the lung, heart, and other sounds of body parts, which makes the patient monitoring more easily and conveniently.
The tuneable diaphragm system lets the medical physicians listen to the sounds of different frequency just by adjusting the chest-piece pressure. The headset tension can be easily adjusted according to the head sizes. Moreover, the ear tips have soft-sealing, which confers an excellent acoustic seal and an essential comfortable fit to the users.
What we liked:
- The stethoscope is made in the USA, which ensures consistent quality.
- The stethoscope comes with small and large ear tips (soft-sealing ones).
- The stethoscope is flexible in its shape.
- The stethoscope does not contain any phthalate plasticizers.
What we didn’t like:
- Sound quality does not meet expectations.
- The weight of the stethoscope is quite heavy than the regular ones.
10. Rossmax Cardiology EB600 Stethoscope
This stethoscope from Rossmax is a great deal. The brand is not very well known by the medical practitioners but is gaining a good niche in the market of stethoscopes. The stethoscope has a simple yet classic design, which is liked by many professionals.
The Rossmax cardiology EB600 Stethoscopes are constructed using advanced stainless-steel technology. This makes it a reliable and durable product. The qualified professionals usually look for stethoscopes with long life and high efficiency; for such people, this stethoscope from Rossmax is perfect.
One of the remarkable features of this stethoscope is that it comes with two interchangeable bells along with two-sided soft ear tips and one extra diaphragm, all these things make it a reasonable product. The bell-side can be used to listen to low-frequency sounds while the opposite side can be used for listening sounds of higher frequencies.
The heartbeats can be heard more clearly with this stethoscope. It can be used to examine both humans and animals. This stethoscope can be bought not only by professionals but also by medical students.
What we liked:
- The sound quality is quite noticeable.
- The pricing of this product is not too costly.
- Two interchangeable bells are included with the stethoscope.
What we didn’t like:
- The stethoscope is quite bulky.
- Earpieces are kind of loose.
- The length is not up to the mark.
How To Choose The Right Stethoscopes
Purchasing a good quality stethoscope can be quite tedious; there are a few factors that are needed to be kept in mind before buying the stethoscope. Those factors are given below:
Quality: Purchasing a good quality stethoscope is very important so that you do not have to run to the retailer for repairs now and then.A good quality stethoscope is essentially made of stainless steel. Stainless steel stethoscopes help in better transmission of the sound and are comparatively additionally resistant to the bacteria and cleaning. Those made up of Copper are equally good.
Polish: The cheaper stethoscopes are poorly polished and do not transfer the sounds efficiently. The hand-polished stethoscopes should be preferred.
Durability:Durability partially depends upon the usage. However, Flexibility is a deciding factor when one speaks of durability.
Tube length: The length of the tube should not be too short or too long. It’s a plus point if the tube is adjustable.
Cost: During the learning phase, one should go for a cost-effective stethoscope. However, high prices not always provide the best products. Suitability and requirements should be the main concern during the purchase of stethoscopes.
Chest Piece: A chest piece is one of the most important parts of the stethoscope; it is subjected to maximum wear and tear.One should always choose a chest piece that is not too heavily weighted because the heavy chest-pieces can make the earpiece fall out of the year. Double-headed chest-pieces allow the users to fine-tune the noises on each spectrum, i.e., low, medium, or high pitched. Non-chill diaphragm designs should be preferred as most of the patients do not like the cold tip of diaphragms.
Ear-piece: Earpieces should be effectively soft, preferably made of silicone. Ear tips with soft-sealing silicones ensure comfort to the users. Some stethoscopes provide plastic earpieces, which may hurt the ears of users. Ideal earpieces can cancel the outside noise, which is very crucial during the examination of patients.
Types: Stethoscopes are often bought depending upon the requirement. Some of the different types are:
- Acoustic: It is one of the most commonly used stethoscopes. A classic stethoscope containing bell and diaphragm, both of them have separate functions. The bell picks up the heartbeats, and other sounds such as breath sounds can be heard using the diaphragm. Acoustic stethoscopes are the perfect choice for medical students.
- Electronic:The electronic stethoscope works just like other normal stethoscopes, except for the fact that it uses electricity to hear sounds. It requires batteries, is heavily weighted, and certainly expensive. They can even be linked to other recording devices.
- Cardiology Stethoscopes: The Cardiology stethoscopes are specifically designed in such a way that suits the requirements of cardiologists.
- Doppler stethoscopes are a variety of electronic stethoscopes. They are used to monitors fetuses in the womb.
- Foetal: As the name suggests, these are used to monitor fetal growth.
How to Clean a Stethoscope Properly
Below are some important steps and procedures through which you can clean a stethoscope properly.
- Tubing is the most vital part of the stethoscope that may get infected easily and within a short time. It is better to disassemble the tube from the stethoscope. Then simply dip the tube into 70% isopropyl isolation. It is through this process that the tube can be disinfected within a short time.
- The earpieces of the stethoscope are another important part that needs to be cleaned along with the device. It can be washed with the help of soapy water. The earwax will be removed from the earpieces, through soapy water. Soon after washing the earpieces it should be dried. The moment it gets dried it will be put back to the original place.
- Cleaning stethoscope diaphragm is another part that needs to be cleaned. If the diaphragm is metallic it can be cleaned with the help of a sanitizer. You can get a lot of sanitizers that has 60% alcohol. But all the parts should be dried before assembling them. If the same is an electronic stethoscope then it is better to follow the instruction of the manufacturer. They can guide you in the best possible manner.
- It is better to rely upon the soapy water to clean all the accessories of the stethoscope. But you should also remember that all the products need to be dried up before reassembling.
- However, a hand sanitizer should also be kept in the pocket for frequent cleaning of the stethoscope. This will keep the stethoscope disinfected from time to time.
- Sometimes wipes can also be used for cleaning the stethoscope. It can be the best way to clean the stethoscope instantly when you have no other means.
- If in any case sterilization is required it should be done. This is one of the reliable ways to get rid of germs. Steam sterilization is also preferred in many cases.
- It is also advisable to rely upon 70% isopropyl for cleaning various parts of stethoscope.
Stethoscope Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can we only hear the heart sounds with a stethoscope?
No, it is only a common misconception that is quite popular among people that you can only hear the heart sounds with a stethoscope, but it is a myth only. But the fact is that a stethoscope is a great tool or instrument that can be beneficial to hear the heart, lungs, and intestine sounds. Not only this, but doctors use their stethoscope to hear the blood flow sound in the arteries and veins.
Another very common question that an average user or person has: how a doctor identifies or diagnoses any kind of illness like with the heart or lungs. It is not that simple as it seems because it requires a lot of experience, the doctors usually hear the sound of the heart, lungs, and intestine, and when they find anything strange in the sound that simply indicates that the person may have some kind of illness.
2. How can a stethoscope be helpful to check the sound of the lungs?
Not only heart sounds, but a stethoscope is also pretty helpful to hear the lung sound and airflow. Usually, when checking the lungs with a stethoscope, doctors ask for taking a deep breath because when we usually breathe, and then the air goes inside the lungs, and it generally produces little noise that the human ear can’t hear. While checking the lungs with the stethoscope, the doctor normally compares the one side of the chest with the other side.
And the same applies in the case of the back and front; it is quite important because, in this way, doctors can get the proper idea about anything wrong. If the doctor hears the unusual but loud sound while taking a deep breath, then surely there is something blocking the airflow, and it can be the simple cough issue or anything else.
3. Can I use a stethoscope to hear the sound of my own heart, lungs, and intestine?
If you ask this question, you may be a medical student or maybe a curious person. Right? And yes, you can use a stethoscope to hear the sound of your own heart, lungs, or intestine in case if there is nobody with you while practicing to hear different body sounds. You can listen to your heart sound by placing the diaphragm of the stethoscope near the heart. However, buying and practicing to hear different body sounds with a stethoscope can help you identify too many illnesses.
4. Why does the stethoscope have two sides at the end of it?
If you are a medical student or maybe if you have seen the stethoscope, then you might have noticed that the end of the stethoscope has two different disc shape sides. The big diameter of the side usually known as the diaphragm, but the cup shape and smaller diameter of the side is the bell side. Doctors commonly use the diaphragm side more often than the bell side, but the bell side is also pretty important because it lets you hear the low-frequency body sounds.
Bottom line: A Stethoscope is one of the most crucial tools in the doctor’s diagnostic kits. The stethoscopes can help to diagnose the heart problems even before they turn fatal. It can also identify breathing problems before they turn into a pulmonary dysfunction.
A patient’s heart and lungs are the most vital organs; the only way to get a preliminary diagnosis for further testing is to listen to what is going on in the area. This is the reason; you will always see a stethoscope around the emergency room doctors.
This article is intended to help those looking forward to purchasing a good quality and efficient stethoscopes. If you are one of them, then the list of best stethoscopes will help you choose a good one for yourself. Additionally, the buying guide provided in the article is intended to confer a better understanding of the stethoscopes to the buyers. We hope you select a good one for yourself.
Ridhima Sharma is a Senior Pharmacist at Kukreja Hospital, New Delhi. Ridhima completed her Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm) from UP University. She regularly writes article on health information, fitness and beauty related products at IndiasStuffs.com
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