Here are some of the more common electronic stethoscopes.
Illustrations of some of these and how they can be used with hearing aids, can be found from the “stethoscopes” section of the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss website.
UK distributors
There are quite a few makes of electronic stethoscopes with normal earpieces. It can be difficult to use these without removing hearing aids. (But see information about ear tips and ear moulds.) There are three stethoscopes that are popular as they have various ways of using them with hearing aids and that people appear to find reliable.
- Cardionics E-scope available from PMS Instruments. Can be supplied with standard stethoscope earpieces and/or headphones, induction loop or direct audio input to use with hearing aids. Some are also successful setting it up with radio aids or ADLs such as the SmartLink. The PMS Instruments’ excellent information page explains the different models and how they can be used with hearing aids. It includes information about the frequencies of heart and lung sounds which can help your audiologist choose and programme your hearing aids to work with an electronic stethoscope.
- Top Phono available from Schuco. Details here and here. Can be supplied with standard stethoscope earpieces or headphones. (Update – I think this is no longer available.)
- Starkey ST3 available from Starkey at William F Austin House, Bramhall Technology Park, Pepper Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5BX. Tel: 161 483 2200 Can be supplied with standard stethoscope earpieces and with direct audio input to use with hearing aids. It is also possible to use with induction loop, getting the cable and induction silhouette supplied separately, eg from CIHAIS: see Custom Cables (There has been a problem with manufacture of the ST3 so it is currently out of production. Starkey are still able to repair your ST3. Contact me for information if needed or if you have an update, in case the situation changes.)
If you cannot find a UK distributor for a stethoscope you would like to try, contact us as we have been able to track some down.
Stethoscopes with options for DAI and/or telecoil interface AND visual display:
- Cardionics Escope. Use Stethographics for visual display. (I think this might work with some other stethoscopes too.)
- E-steth from MD Depot (Use with Cardiomail for visual display.)
Stethoscopes with options for DAI and/or telecoil interface but NOTvisual display:
- Electromax (I am not sure if this does have DAI/telecoil) from Graham-Field Health Products
- ES1 by Bob Mendoza
- Starkey ST3 (currently out of production.)
Stethoscopes with option for visual display but NOT for DAI and/or telecoil interface:.
- Welch Allyn Master Elite and Master Elite Plus Electronic Stethoscopes. Use with Analyzer for visual display.
Stethoscopes with neither options for DAI/telecoil interface nor visual display.
- Androscopes i-stethos from Andromed
- Echo Amplified and EchoPlus from Doctors Research Group
- Littman - various electronic models
- Philips Medical Electronic Stethoscope
- Top Phon from Schuco. Can be supplied with normal earpieces or headphones. (I am not sure if this is currently available.
Tactile stethoscope. Cardionics had been working on Heart Touch but I think this is still in development or on hold.