Stethoscope Cost

Typical costs:

• Stethoscopes can start at $5 but can run over $1,000, depending upon the features of the device. Most insurance plans will not cover the cost of a stethoscope.
• Acoustic stethoscopes, which allow the user to hear inside the chest wall but do not amplify the sound, cost between $5 and $160. The Omron Sprague Rappaport stethoscope costs about $20. This stethoscope was named a best buy by For Us Docs[2] magazine.
• The Littmann Cardiology III[3] costs $160. It features two patented dials on the chest piece, which allow the user to switch between high frequency and low frequency sounds. The chest piece of the stethoscope is two-sided, larger on one side for adults and smaller on the other for children.
• Digital stethoscopes amplify sounds beneath the chest wall and cut down on ambient noise, so heart conditions or lung congestion can be easier to diagnose. Digital stethoscopes cost between $150 and more than $1,000. The Littman Electronic Stethoscope Model 3100[4] costs about $350. This stethoscope amplifies sound up to 24 times and reduces 85 percent of background noise. In addition, the stethoscope's digital display reports the patient's heart rate and the battery life remaining for the stethoscope.
• Some stethoscopes are available for purchase as part of a kit, which can include a sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure cuff. These kits can range from $10 to $130. The American Diagnostic Corporation offers a kit that contains a single cuff sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope for about $50.

• An acoustic stethoscope purchase will include the stethoscope, which includes the packing material, tubing, chest piece and ear tips. Some stethoscopes also include an extra set of ear tips and chest pieces of different sizes.
• Digital stethoscopes will include the stethoscope, which should include the packaging, tubing, a chest piece, a digital display and soft ear tips. Some digital stethoscopes also include extra ear tips, disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries.

• The ear tips on the stethoscope may need to be replaced up to every month, depending on how frequently the stethoscope is used. Ear tips can cost between $.60 and $20, depending upon the material. More expensive tips are made of gel and can be more comfortable for use.
• Digital stethoscopes require batteries, either disposable or rechargeable. These range between $2.50 and $10 for a four-pack, depending upon the brand.

• :
• Acoustic stethoscopes can be purchased at a local pharmacy, medical supplier or online. A prescription is not required. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration[5] maintains a list of tips for people purchasing medical devices online, such as asking the supplier if the device is FDA-approved.
• Most people purchasing a stethoscope will prefer an acoustic stethoscope for home use. For Us Docs, a consumer magazine for physicians, recently published a review of twelve popular acoustic stethoscopes. The review[6] found that Littman Cardiology III stethoscope to offer the best performance.
• Digital stethoscopes can be purchased online or through a medical supply retailer. Because most patients will not need a digital stethoscope for home use, talk to a trusted health care professional before making a purchase.

1.  www.littmann.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3M-Littmann/stethoscope/littmann-learning-ins...
2.  www.forusdocs.com/reviews/Acoustic_Stethoscope_Review.htm
3.  www.littmann.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3M-Littmann/stethoscope/stethoscope-catalog/?...
4.  www.littmann.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3M-Littmann/stethoscope/stethoscope-catalog/?...
5.  www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ResourcesforYou/Consumers/BuyingMedicalDevicesandDiagno...
6.  www.forusdocs.com/reviews/Acoustic_Stethoscope_Review.htm

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does a Mammogram Cost?		How Much Does Chemotherapy Cost?		How Much Does Growing Medical Marijuana Outdoors Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Make sure your gutters are clean before they start to fill up again this fall. Are you planning a Labor Day picnic? Need a new charcoal grill? Pruning trees before the storm season can help ensure dead branches won't imperil your home. Looking for help to take care of your garden? How much does garden service cost. The late August sun can leave a mark. Check out sunburn treatment options.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

UTI urgent care visit Paid: 147.00 Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more] -nervouschomper Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost Spanish Medical Interpreter Paid: 150.00 I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more] -Gregory Richardson Interpreter Cost Dat Paid: 495.00 This is how much I am paying... [more] -Calista Christian Dental Admission Test Cost Shingrix Paid: 48.00 ... [more] -Not that BB Shingles Vaccine Cost Skin prick allergy test Paid: 573.00 Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more] -D’s mom Allergy Testing Cost Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat Paid: 0.00 13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more] -Terrimarie Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost