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Dual head stethoscope vs a single head
There are different types of stethoscopes in the market today. These stethoscopes come with one of several heads (or chest pieces) which are designed to pick up sounds from a patient’s vitals, and transport them to the ears of the user.
Ask any doctor and they’ll tell you that the head (or chest piece) is one of the most important parts of the stethoscope. This is the component that allows the user listen to a wide range of internal sounds. It can also be tuned to either widen or narrow the range.
Stethoscopes usually come in 3 different heads.
- Dual Head
- Single Head
- Electronic head
Each of these three head-types have their unique benefits, but today we’ll be looking at just two out of the three. The Dual Head and the Single Head (since they are the most popular).
During the course of this article, I intend to help you understand the uniqueness each of these stethoscope heads have. Similarities and differences inclusive.
Keep reading!
Major Components Of A Stethoscope
For us to really understand the similarities and differences between a single head and a dual Head stethoscope, I think it’s best we first understand all the major parts of a stethoscope.
Below are the 7 major parts of a stethoscope.
The Chestpiece
The chest piece is one of the most important parts of a stethoscope. This is because it is the part that is placed on the patient’s chest or body, and it is responsible for picking up sounds from the patient and transferring it to the user’s ears.
The Diaphragm
The diaphragm of a stethoscope can be single sided or double sided.
Usually, a two sided chest piece will have a diagram on one side, and a deep cup-shaped side called the bell.
Both a single sided and double sided chest piece have a component called a “chill ring”. The chill ring creates an airtight seal that buffers the patient against the coldness of the part.
The Stem
This is what connects the chest piece to the tubing.
Acoustic Tubes
This is the hollow, rubber-like tube that connects the chest piece to the ear tube.
The Head Set
This is the metal part of the earpiece which acts as a bridge between the acoustic tubes and the ear tube.
The Ear tubes
These are hollow metal tubes that connect the acoustic tubes and the earpieces from one end to the other.
The Earpieces
The ear pieces are the small tips at each end of the ear tube which fit into the user’s ears.
These could be made of hard plastic, or soft silicone materials.
Single Head Stethoscope
Traditionally, a single head stethoscope has a one-sided chest piece and a single diaphragm.
The one sided chest piece allows the stethoscope to tune into a medium range of sounds and frequencies.
Being a one-sided chest piece, it means the functionality is very limited. This makes this type of stethoscope suitable for simple patient assessment, and not for critical application and uses.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Single Head Stethoscopes
A single head stethoscope comes with a few advantages and disadvantages over the dual head stethoscope. These include –
Pros
- They are easier to use
- They are ideal for doctors in training
- They are easier to maintain
- They are usually cheaper
Cons
- Limited functionality compared to a dual head
- Unlike the dual head, they are not suitable for critical applications
Dual Head Stethoscopes
This is a more versatile and functional stethoscope. The chest piece has a diaphragm on one side and a bell on the other side.
The diaphragm usually has the larger diameter, while the bell has the smaller diameter.
The diaphragm is usually meant for listening to a high frequency of sounds, while the bell is usually for the lower, more focused frequencies. This gives the user the option of switching sides when using the stethoscope.
This stethoscope is designed for more critical applications.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Dual Head Stethoscopes Compared To Single Heads
The dual head stethoscope comes with some advantages over the single heads, it has its minor shortcomings too.
Let’s take a look at them below.
Pros
- They are more versatile than the single head stethoscope
- They can be used for more critical listening
- They help users improve their auscultation skills
Cons
- Dual heads are more expensive than single head stethoscopes
- They are more complicated in design
- They are harder to maintain
Best Single Head Stethoscope
There are many models of single head stethoscopes, however, I’d like us to take a look at the ADC ADSCOPE 600 Cardiology Stethoscope.
I chose this stethoscope because it offers good acoustic performance and it comes at a very fair price.
It has a tunable diaphragm so even though it has just one side, you can still capture both low and high frequency sounds simply by changing the pressure applied.
It is also made of very durable materials, so it’s guaranteed to last long. The manufacturer places a lifetime guarantee on this product, with all the parts of the stethoscope being covered.
There’s one minor issue though, this stethoscope weighs over 200 grams, making it one of the heaviest in its class. So if you’re looking for a lightweight stethoscope, then this may not be your best bet.
Pros
- It is made of durable materials
- It is easy to clean and maintain
- It comes with a lifetime guarantee
- It has a tunable diaphragm for both high and low frequencies
- It has good acoustic performance
Cons
- It is heavy
Best Dual Head Stethoscope
For dual heads, I’d like to recommend the Littmann Classic iii Stethoscope. It is one of the most popular stethoscopes in the world and it remains a doctor’s favorite!
It is made of materials that are easy to clean and it has top notch acoustic ability.
This is great for doctors, nurses, EMTs, and students in training. It is suitable for use on adults and pediatrics. It is also durable and it will last for a very long time.
What more can you ask for?
Pros
- It is very durable
- It has world-class acoustic ability
- It is easy to maintain
- It is suitable for adults and pediatrics
Cons
- It is expensive
Dual head stethoscope vs a single head Conclusion
I trust this article has been of great help. You can pick a stethoscope that best meets your needs.
Good luck!