The best stethoscope is the one that works optimally for you! There are many factors to consider, including the type and severity of your hearing loss (especially in the low frequency range), the specifications of your hearing devices, and the stethoscope-related requirements of your profession. For some with good low-frequency hearing, using the stethoscope without hearing devices may be a better option. Trying different stethoscopes is the best way to determine what works optimally for you! Remember, you may need to work with your audiologist and the stethoscope company to determine the optimal setup for you and/or have a specific stethoscope program added to your hearing device.

Our Stethoscope Equity Project (SEP) is how! Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or email us at sep@amphl.org and we’ll walk you through the next steps.

Please see the stethoscope comparison table on our website for details of our currently available inventory. 

Yes! There are several options. Many of the stethoscopes have Bluetooth connectivity, and if your hearing aids are compatible, you may be able to connect wirelessly, either directly to some of the stethoscopes or by using a smartphone app to connect. Adding a streamer, such as Phonak Roger On or a similar device, may be necessary to improve sound quality depending on the type of Bluetooth in your hearing aids or cochlear implants. It may also be possible to use over-the-ear headphones, either wirelessly or by using a 3.5 mm or USB connection. We recommend working with your audiologist to achieve optimal connectivity to the stethoscopes, which may include creating a specific stethoscope program for your hearing devices and/ or connecting using a streamer.  

Good quality headphones that allow modulation of bass volume and have a tight seal over the ears work best to amplify body sounds and decrease background noise. Reports from our users on noise-cancelling headphones are mixed; some people notice an improvement in the quality of the sound and a decrease in background noise, while some do not. That said, most good-quality headphones should work well. 

If possible, we recommend universal Bluetooth and the option to add a dedicated “stethoscope program” with amplification of the low-frequency sounds and diminution of the higher frequencies. This stethoscope-specific program will not be optimal for hearing speech, so it is an additional program as opposed to the everyday program for your hearing devices. 

The stethoscope chest piece can be covered or cleaned between patients. Hospital-grade alcohol wipes should be used to wipe down the stethoscopes. Please do not use any other chemical cleaners as this may damage the stethoscopes. 

In addition, some digital stethoscopes have remote listening capabilities so the user can hear body sounds via Bluetooth, even from outside the patient room. 

Currently there is no completely visual stethoscope. However, several of the current digital stethoscopes do have visual representations of heart and lung sounds and 3-lead EKGs available in real time. With advances in AI, some of the companies are offering more visual options and interpretation of heart murmurs, arrhythmias, and lung sounds. Information can be found on the individual stethoscope manufacturers’ websites. 

AI use in stethoscopes is evolving. Currently, some options are available to assist with diagnosis of some heart murmurs and arrhythmias. Please see the manufacturers’ websites for current information.

We can provide suggestions based on our users’ experiences. Some stethoscopes pick up less noise from the fur than others. Please contact us using the Squarespace form for the most up-to-date information. 

While we are not aware of any specific pediatric or newborn digital stethoscopes, there are attachments that can be added to your current analog stethoscope to give it amplification and noise cancellation capabilities. Depending on the size of the child, a standard stethoscope bell may be adequate. 

Yes! This is an area of ongoing research and development. Please view the individual manufacturers’ websites for current information.

Our SEP users report that these can work very well when paired via Bluetooth to digital stethoscopes.

Noise cancellation is an option with most digital stethoscopes, and some allow the user to control the level of noise cancellation. Creating a stethoscope-specific program for your hearing devices can also help. This program would emphasize the low frequencies and decrease the higher frequencies.

If compatible with your hearing devices, adding a streamer can allow the sound to be transmitted directly to your devices. With the streamer, many hearing devices allow the user to vary the amount of sound coming through the streamer and from the external environment. Increasing the relative sound to the streamer can help to decrease the ambient interfering noises.  

This information changes frequently, depending on whether the manufacturer receives approval from countries or discontinues international shipping. Please get in touch with the manufacturer to get the most up-to-date information for your country.

At this time, due to shipping restrictions and customs regulations, we cannot offer stethoscopes for trial outside the United States. We are actively working with colleagues in several countries with the goal of developing SEP in several international destinations. 

Purchasing a stethoscope can be expensive, so we offer a few suggestions to consider. If you are employed or a student, the cost may be covered as a reasonable disability accommodation.

If you have an FSA or HSA account, you may be able to submit your receipt for payment under the rules of your program.

You can also contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation office, as they may be able to assist you in purchasing one.

We have discount codes from time to time and are happy to share them with our users. Please inquire once you decide which stethoscope you would like to purchase. The company websites may offer additional discounts, so it’s a good idea to check.

There are secondary sellers, such as Amazon, to check prices for comparison.