Traditional stethoscopes

Traditional Acoustic Stethoscopes

Traditional acoustic stethoscopes remain the standard auscultation instruments for the vast majority of doctors worldwide. Their physical principle – the acoustic transmission of body sounds through a PVC tube to the practitioner’s ears – has not fundamentally changed since Laennec, but the acoustic quality of modern high-end models is incomparably superior to that of the earliest stethoscopes.

Littmann, ADC, Heine: the market leaders

The brands 3M Littmann, ADC and Heine dominate the market for professional medical stethoscopes thanks to their continuous innovations in acoustics. The Littmann Cardiology IV remains the gold standard in cardiology for its sensitivity to low-amplitude diastolic murmurs. Models with adjustable diaphragms (changing the frequency simply by varying the pressure applied) simplify auscultation by eliminating the need to turn the chestpiece over. Choose your model according to your specialism and your acoustic requirements.

Maintenance and customisation

A well-maintained professional stethoscope will last for many years. Regular disinfection of the chestpiece and tube with an alcohol wipe, replacement of worn ear tips and checking the tube for leaks constitute the minimum recommended maintenance. Customisation – engraving the practitioner’s name, tube colour, premium ear tips – is available on certain models for a truly personalised instrument.