It’s tough to be a physician, especially one with hard hearing. If you are looking for the best stethoscopes for hard of hearing, then this blog post is for you.
The latest research has found that up to 40% of health professionals have the condition of hard hearing, and it is even more prevalent among those who work in high-stress environments like hospitals.
It can make their profession difficult or impossible if they don’t find ways to compensate for their lack of ability to hear certain sounds.
So, I’ve put together this article as a way of giving back.
In this article, I’ll give a review and recommend 5 of the great stethoscopes that are designed specifically for people with hard hearing so that you can take your career into your own hands and choose the best device for your needs!
Quick List: 5 Best Stethoscopes for hard of Hearing
- 3M Littmann CORE Digital – Our Top Pick
- ADC ADSCOPE 600
- Ultrascope – Noise Cancelling Stethoscope
- Thinklabs One Digital
- MDF Acoustica – Best Budget
What is a Stethoscope?
A stethoscope is a special device that can be used to “listen” to the internal sounds of the body.
It typically consists of two main components: a chest piece and tubing. When the chest piece is placed against the patient you wish to listen to, it allows you to hear very quiet sounds generated by body functions.
The tubing allows you to hold the chest piece in place.
This worked great when everybody had normal hearing, but it can be very difficult if you have any level of hard hearing.
Here are five of the best stethoscopes for the hard of hearing.
Top 5 Best Stethoscopes For Hard of Hearing
Here we review 5 of the most popular stethoscope and identify their pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision on which one is right for your needs.
#1. 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope – Our top pick
The 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope is a new class of stethoscopes. It features the outstanding acoustics, comfort, and quality of a Littmann cardiology stethoscope enhanced by powerful digital technology.
With its exceptional amplification and noise cancellation features, it qualifies as one of the best Littmann stethoscopes for hard of hearing, especially if you are looking to buy your first high-quality Littmann. The CORE connects with Eko software on smart devices to visualize, record, and share data.
Pros:
- Excellent acoustics quality, outstanding sound clarity
- Lightweight and well-balanced for comfortable wear
- Attractive design with black chest piece body and tubing color options, available in two sizes for adult or pediatric use
- ComfortFit ear tips are softer to provide all day wearing comfort with less fatigue
- New headset assembly is the most durable ever, providing longer life
Cons:
- The tubing color options are limited to black or green.
- The ear tip can be changed, but it can be a bit of a challenge to get at the tip with standard tools.
#2. ADC – ADSCOPE 600 Cardiology Stethoscope
The ADC – 600ST ADSCOPE 600 Cardiology Stethoscope is engineered to deliver amazing sound quality for the most discerning ears. Utilizing proprietary AFD technology, this stethoscope enhances acoustic performance and makes hearing changes in both low and High frequency sounds simple.
Made from surgical steel with ergonomic lines and featuring an adjustable chest piece, this stethoscope provides superior comfort and is suitable for a variety of clinical settings.
We are super confident that this stethoscope will work for you. This highly rated stethoscope is preferred by health professionals for its superior sound quality of low and High-frequency sounds.
If you’re looking for a stethoscope that will work well for those with hard hearing, this ADC – 600ST ADSCOPE 600 Cardiology Stethoscope is the perfect option. You won’t be disappointed.
Pros:
- The superior sound quality of low and high-frequency sounds
- Adjustable chest piece for a variety of clinical settings
- Preferred by health professionals
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- It May be a little bulky
- Cannot be sterilized
#3. Ultrascope – Noise Cancelling Stethoscope
The Noise Cancelling Sapphire Galaxy Design Ultrascope is a beautiful and colorful stethoscope and is the best stethoscope for nurses. It allows you to assess through bandages, clothing, blankets, or fur. Hear the split S2 and murmurs through sirens, machines, and crying children.
Furthermore, this stethoscope has a noise-canceling feature that ensures that you obtain superior sound quality in any situation, even in noisy environments.
The Ultrascope stethoscope with noise-blocking sound is extremely durable and dependable for tough shifts and long careers. It also comes with a Lifetime Warranty, so you can be confident that your stethoscope will work forever.
This stethoscope is also the perfect med school gift, guaranteed to be useful for their entire career.
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Clear sound
- Dependable stethoscope
- Durability
Cons:
- Expensive
#4. Thinklabs One Digital Stethoscope – The perfect choice for health professionals with hearing loss
The Thinklabs One Digital Stethoscope is the smallest, most powerful stethoscope in the world. It amplifies over 100 times and can be used with any headphones. It is perfect for health professionals with hearing loss, as it can be directly connected to hearing aid streamers.
This stethoscope even connects to streamers that interface with cochlear implants. It comes with a Thinklink mobile kit, FDA and CE Mark cleared, and has a 2-year warranty.
The Thinklabs One Digital Stethoscope is perfect for loud and chaotic environments and has fully adjustable volume. It can easily switch between listening to patients and listening to recordings, and lets you hear both low pitched sounds and high frequencies, as well as those in between.
It has voltage doubling charge pumps that provide extra headroom for low distortion reproduction of S1 and S2 heartbeat peaks. It also uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and is designed to require just one or two charge cycles per week. It turns on with the touch of any button and shuts off automatically. You won’t hear a better heart sound anywhere.
Pros:
- The smallest, most powerful stethoscope in the world.
- Amplifies over 100 times.
- Can be used with any headphones.
- Connects directly to hearing aid streamers, which can interface it with cochlear implants.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Cannot be used for recording or playback of heart sounds.
#5. MDF Acoustica Lightweight Stethoscope
The MDF Acoustica Lightweight Stethoscope is perfect for those who are hard of hearing. It is lightweight and has a true bell and true diaphragm to capture high or low-frequency sounds. It also includes a patented dual-leaf spring construction, patented Acoustic Pyramid Chamber, and patented SafetyLock Eartip adapters to maximize sound performance. Plus, the tube and headset are longer, thicker, and non-stick.
The MDF Acoustica Lightweight Stethoscope is perfect for those who are hard of hearing. It is lightweight and has a true bell and true diaphragm to capture high or low-frequency sounds. It also includes a patented dual-leaf spring construction, patented Acoustic Pyramid Chamber, and patented SafetyLock Eartip adapters to maximize sound performance. Plus, the tube and headset are longer, thicker, and non-stick.
Pros:
- Lightweight and durable
- Most affordable (Cheapest)
- Available in many different colors
- Best for hard hearing
Cons:
- It’s not clear as Littman stethoscopes
Things to consider before buying the best stethoscope for Hard Hearing
There are many things to consider before you buy a stethoscope for hard hearing. One of the most important factors is what type of environment you will be using it in. If you work in a loud or chaotic environment, you will need a stethoscope that is specifically designed to block out noise.
You should also consider how often you will be using the stethoscope. If you only need it occasionally, a less expensive model might be best for you. However, if you will be using it on a daily basis, you may want to invest in a more expensive model that has additional features like amplified sound or noise cancellation.
Finally, you should decide which type of stethoscope is right for you. If you are hard of hearing, you will definitely want to consider using a stethoscope that is designed with your needs in mind.
The 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope is widely considered to be the best option on the market because it is designed for ease of use by health professionals with hard of hearing, but it has the features you need in a stethoscope.
Difference Between Conventional and Amplified Stethoscopes
Stethoscopes can be divided into two major categories.
One type is called “conventional” because it doesn’t change the sounds you hear in any way. The other one is an amplified stethoscope which increases the amplitude of sound before it reaches your ears.
Both types have their pros and cons, but I personally believe that an amplified stethoscope is a better choice for people with hard hearing due to its ability to automatically adjust to different volume levels.
In addition, it only amplifies certain frequencies which you select so you can clearly hear what’s going on without being overwhelmed by extraneous sounds.
With a conventional stethoscope, you have no control over what sounds reach your ears and it makes it much harder for you to cope with ambient noise in the medical facility where you work.
Conclusion
We hope that this guide has helped you to choose the best stethoscope for hard hearing. We highly recommend the 3M Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope for those who have difficulty hearing, as it is specifically designed with your needs in mind.
However, if that model is too expensive or you need a stethoscope for a loud environment, the MDF Acoustica Lightweight Stethoscope is another excellent choice.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you!