# How to use a stethoscope

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-a-stethoscope/716623>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 2, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-a-stethoscope/716623 "2015-04-02T14:48:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\
**Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-a-stethoscope/716623/1 "2015-04-02T14:48:39Z")

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_ **tl;dr:** We bought a new diaphragm-style [stethoscope](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DDWKP7K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), but it doesn’t seem to reproduce/transmit sound—the older bell-style [stethoscope](http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1385580144/-font-b-stethoscope-b-font-font-b-accessory-b-font-Bell-type-debe-top-quality.jpg)seemed to work much better. Is this technique or an aspect of the modern design (e.g. to protect hearing)?_  
A damn burst inside the little Devilling’s head—he discovered the sciences. Although [ASAP Science](https://www.youtube.com/user/AsapSCIENCE)has since taken first place, he still loves to watch [Hemo the Magnificent](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08QDu2pGtkc)over and over as only a five-year-old can do. So among other things, I got him a [stethoscope](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DDWKP7K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) (with bonus sphygmomanometer no less).

We’ve been underwhelmed, and I’m writing in the likely case that it’s user error. Sounds are very faint and not what I remember from days gone by.

When I was growing up in the 70s, we had a cheap (but non-toy) stethoscope in the house. It was great to listen to stomach gurgling, heartbeats (humans, animals), and all sorts of crazy things that filled our imaginations. That ended in a bell [similar to this](http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1385580144/-font-b-stethoscope-b-font-font-b-accessory-b-font-Bell-type-debe-top-quality.jpg), and sound through it was loud, crystal clear, and unmistakable.

We’ve turned the diaphragm to the right side (i.e. when you tap the diaphragm one side is louder than the other), but heart sounds are very faint (present, but faint), and most other sounds are non-existent (e.g. even after eating there are not gurgles to be heard inside the belly). Is it supposed to be like that? Styles changed to make only important sounds come through? Could we be doing something wrong that the manufacturer considers so basic as to not put on the box?

Thanks~

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**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\
**Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-use-a-stethoscope/716623/2 "2015-04-02T18:22:04Z")

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All I have to add is [here](http://www.forusdocs.com/reviews/Acoustic_Stethoscope_Review_page7.htm) is a great page ranking stethoscopes.

If you go back and look at the article they look at loudness and clarity.