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Factors Pediatrics Should Consider When Buying Stethoscopes
There are so many factors to be considered. Child care is a special kind of care and the tools being used for diagnosis should be on point. Below are the major factors Pediatrics should consider when buying stethoscopes.Size
Remember, children don’t particularly like hospitals. They are afraid of the doctor’s office and all the scary looking tools packed up in there, including large-sized stethoscopes! Keeping this in mind, a small sized stethoscope is your best option. Children would be less afraid of it and you will be able to do your job with a lot more ease.Cost
As with any other product, the cost should be considered before making a purchase. Usually, the more expensive stethoscopes have the best features, but there are other lower priced stethoscopes that are also very effective. Always balance your budget with quality. Being cheap doesn’t necessarily mean the stethoscope is bad, it may not be. You just need to check out the features first, then determine if it will give you the best value for your money.Pediatric Sizing
Listening to sounds from a child and an adult are two different things. The child’s organs are smaller so you will need a stethoscope best suited for their organ sizes. The bell and the diaphragm should be smaller, that’s perfect for a pediatric stethoscope.Colors
Kids love colors, and would most likely be attracted to something with bright and exciting colors. An all black stethoscope is an example of a bad color choice for kids. A pediatric stethoscope shouldn’t look like a weapon, it should look like a toy. A stethoscope with a good mix of primary colors would make the kids more relaxed. They would be more comfortable lying down and letting you place the stethoscope on their chest or belly.Clarity Of Acoustics
A major feature a good stethoscope should have is good acoustic quality. What’s a stethoscope if the sounds aren’t right? Keep in mind that is hard to keep a child quiet, therefore, the clarity of your stethoscope should be top notch in order for you to make the right diagnosis. This is one of the major factors you should consider before you buy.Durability
A good pediatric stethoscope should me made of durable materials. If the kids are attracted to it (because of its small size and bright colors), then they are most likely to play with it. There may be accidents along the way and your stethoscope should be able to withstand those minor pulls and falls that can occur every now and then.Best Stethoscope for Pediatrics: Our Top Picks
Best Stethoscope For Pediatrics Review
With the above factors taken into consideration, we can now take a look at the products I have selected. I consider these the best stethoscopes for pediatrics.
3M Littmann Classic 2 Pediatric Stethoscope
This stethoscope was designed with the size of a smaller patient in mind. It is very comfortable and leaves no strains around your neck. This stethoscope is also very light, and it doesn’t take up much space. You can easily fit it into your pocket when it’s not in use. It comes in different colors so the kids will love it. As for the acoustics, well it scores major points here. They sound great. The dual side chill free chest piece makes sure of that. It is perfect for picking up distinct sounds in smaller areas. This is one the best pediatric stethoscopes you can find in the market. Give it a try! Pros- It is lightweight
- It is comfortable
- Easy to put away
- Good acoustic performance
- Comes in many colors
- It is difficult to use with bigger children
- Some users have complained that the eartips pinch the ears until after several uses
Welch-Allyn-Harvey Elite Pediatric Stethoscope
If you were to rate a stethoscope by performance, then this one is one of the very best. There are a few downsides though. It doesn’t come in enough colors. It is also heavier than others in its class. Oh, it is also costlier. Keeping that aside, it is an excellent stethoscope for a pediatric to have. The acoustics are so good, you can hardly find any stethoscope that can offer better sound clarity. This is thanks to the separate tubes that go into each ear. This design does a lot to improve the overall sound quality. The size of this stethoscope is also very good, it is just what a pediatric needs. This stethoscope scores high marks for durability. It is made of high quality, long lasting materials that ensure you will use it for a very long time. Lastly, it is designed with comfort fit eartips that go really easy on the ears. They are soft and they fit in just right. Pros
- It is very comfortable
- It has one of the best acoustic performances among stethoscopes in its class
- It is very durable
- Long lasting
Cons
- Lack of chill rim so keeping the stethoscope at a tolerable temperature for sensitive kids is a problem
- Not enough colors to choose from
- It is slightly heavier than other brands
- It is expensive
MDF Dual Head Pediatric Stethoscope
As far as pricing is concerned, this stethoscope is fair. It costs less than many others in its class. It has a chill free rim for patient comfort. It is also very light so it is easy to carry around, both over your neck or in your pocket. One major downside to this stethoscope is the way the neck and the earpiece gets tangled up. When they are twisted, it becomes hard or impossible to pick up sounds. Over all, it’s a good stethoscope for pediatrics, majorly because of its sizing and weight. Pros- It is very affordable
- It is of the perfect size for pediatrics
- It is light weight
- The neck and earpiece easily gets entangled, making listening for sounds hard or impossible
- Limited color options
Ultrascope Pediatric Stethoscope
This is a very good pediatric stethoscope, although it usually gets overlooked, thanks to its single head chest piece. It has very good acoustics and it is perfect for checking heart and lung sounds not just in kids, but in animals as well. The acoustics are so good, you can use them in noisy areas or environments. It is very light, in fact some users have complained that it is almost too light (it weighs just 6 ounces). You’d barely feel any stress around your neck, or weight in your pocket. That’s how light it is. It comes in a good number of bright and exciting colors so the children will love it, they will also be more relaxed around it so you can carry out your checks. As for the price, well I can say that it is fair. It doesn’t cost as much as other stethoscopes in its class. It’s a good deal. Pros- Fairly priced
- It is lightweight
- It is small in size
- It comes in a good variety of colors
- Can be used in noisy environments
- It is not as durable as other brands in its class
- You need to change the pressure applied on patient to get varying sounds