Digital Stethoscope-Improved Auscultation at the Bedside

Abstract

Electronic stethoscopes convert acoustic sound waves to electrical signals which can then be amplified and processed for optimal listening. However, amplification of stethoscope contact artifacts, and component cutoffs has led to the question of whether they are an improvement in the bedside cardiac examination. In this study, a single observer compared an analog stethoscope with the Thinklabsone electronic stethoscope in a clinical setting to determine if there was a significant difference in the diagnostic utility of the devices. Two hundred and nine patients were examined and the electronic stethoscope was felt to have superior sound quality in 65% of patients.