Interfacing Amplified Stethoscopes with Hearing Aids: New Thoughts

The E-Scope II is an amplified stethoscope that is available in a stand-alone version (i.e. for non-hearing instrument wearers) and in several modified models specifically designed to interface with hearing instruments. The modified versions of the E-Scope II will look exactly like the stand-alone model with the exception that the earpieces of the modified version will be completely removed; in lieu of earpieces, a pair of headphones or other connection cable including a DAI, silhouette, and/or patch cord cables  may be used to interface with hearing instruments.

Beyond choosing an appropriate modified E-Scope model, audiologists must take the following into consideration for their hearing instrument wearing patients.  First, the most critical lung (breath) sounds for differential diagnosis will fall in the 200-600 Hz range; the most critical heart sounds will fall in the 70-120 Hz range. Since these are very low frequency sounds, regardless of audiometric configuration, you should provide a low-frequency emphasis program with the hearing instrument adjusted with the low frequency range set as low as possible (i.e. 100-250Hz). Second, lung and heart sounds are extremely soft sounds; in the case of patients with normal low frequency hearing, go ahead and manipulate compression ratios to 2:1 or even 3:1 in the low frequencies to see if these settings will enable your patient to better hear these soft sounds.  Finally, remember that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For more information, check out the free-to-view webinar on amplified stethoscope solutions at AudiologyOnline.

About AU Bankaitis

A.U. Bankaitis, PhD is a clinical Audiologist with extensive clinical, research, and business experience within the hearing industry. Dr. Bankaitis created this blog to educate her colleagues on viable product solutions for their patients and/or clinical practice.
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10 Responses to Interfacing Amplified Stethoscopes with Hearing Aids: New Thoughts

  1. John P. Avallone, Jr. says:

    Does your scope work with Bernaphon BTE and their soundgate device?
    Returning to nursing practice and prefer not to remove my hearing aides. Also, how much is it?
    Thanks,
    John Avallone

    • aubankaitis says:

      if you are referring to the Audiologist’s Choice Bluetooth amplified stethoscope, it is no longer on the market due to performance issues (intermittency in pairing). Check out the more recent posts under the heading amplified stethoscopes for current options

  2. Dan Schwartz says:

    Dr AU, thank you for breaking out the section on amplified stethoscopes. Have you completed testing on the Bluetooth ‘scope yet?

    Dan Schwartz,
    Editor, The Hearing Blog
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    • aubankaitis says:

      Siemens successfully paired the Sedation Stethoscope with their TEK device. We are still working on sending the stethoscope around to others to test out so we get a general idea of what devices it may work with.

      • Dr AU,

        How is your Bluetooth stethoscope project coming along? Have you successfully paired it with the Widex M-Dex, which is used with their Clear, Clear Fusion, and (brand new) Super instruments?

        Also, I added you to the Reverse Slope Hearing Loss group on Facebook, as we have two RN’s in Georgia (who may also have ANSD), a pharmacist at Auburn, and a physician in Nova Scotia.

        Thanks!

        • aubankaitis says:

          Hi Dan:
          we have had success pairing it with Siemens, Hanaston, Phonak and Unitron products. We have not yet tried the Widex device but I suspect it will work. The new stethoscope will be in our 2012 catalog that is going out this week. Very exciting!

  3. Very informative post on the E-Scope! I have used this amplified stethoscope with success. The multi use of earphone’s, neck-loop etc allows for great flexibility of those with special needs.
    I plan to add a note to this blog on our’s (hearinglossohio.com)
    You’re welcome to add a post/subject to our blog as a guest writer.

    • aubankaitis says:

      Richard:
      Thanks for the great feedback; I love to hear that you have been able to get the E-scope to work well as that is important for others to hear. Please feel free to direct traffic to this section of my blog and I will certainly add my two cents to your blog to help others out. Please let me know if you need any further information so I can be sure to post it in the future.

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