Stethoscopes aren’t just an important part of your medical uniform, they’re a vital tool that assists you in properly diagnosing and treating your patients. While it may seem crazy, just carrying a stethoscope with you on the job conveys a message to your patients that you are trustworthy and reliable. As a caregiver, your toolbox is full of tools, devices and accessories that add to your level of care, and your stethoscope is one the most, if not the most, important of them all.

If you’ve been in the medical world for a while, chances are you already know what brand and style stethoscope best fits you and your duties. However, if you’re new to the medical world, picking the right stethoscope can seem daunting. No worries, we’re here to help!

Acoustic Stethoscopes – When you think of the classic style stethoscope, you’re probably envisioning an acoustic stethoscope. They are highly regarded for being cost effective, durable and light weight. Most acoustic stethoscopes have two sides. The small side, the bell, which picks up lower frequencies, and the larger side, the diaphragm, which picks up higher frequencies. However, they are somewhat limited in how much sound they can pick up when compared to an electronic stethoscope. Nonetheless, if you feel that an acoustic stethoscope is right for you, you’re going to love it for many years!

Electronic Stethoscopes – Just as you would expect from the name electronic, these stethoscopes are incredible. Bringing together the long-time reliability that is a must-have in a stethoscope with the convenience of modern technology. They are equipped to pick up a much greater range of frequencies than acoustic stethoscopes. And most models offer Bluetooth technology to connect with a device to accurately keep records, and track changes in a patient.

Stethoscope Attachments – These are relatively new to the medical world, and have the power to convert most any acoustic stethoscope into a digital stethoscope. Recently, EKO debuted their CORE Digital Attachment, that connects to a smart device with Bluetooth Technology. The attachment also deploys Active Noise Cancellation and AI-enabled software. Easily monitor a patients vitals from your screen, save and send to a colleague for a second opinion. The attachment also supports wireless auscultation and telemedicine to help keep caregivers safe from infectious diseases.