Nebraska VR: Fourth Edition
Quarterly News for Nebraska VR Staff: Amplified Stethoscopes
Melissa Doles, Technology Specialist, Columbus (402) 276-4811
Over 36 million American adults have some degree of hearing loss. The statistics are shocking and even more so knowing that over half of those 36 million Americans are younger than age 65. Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States and is often preventable.

Between normal hearing and profound hearing loss there are varying degrees, usually classified as mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe. Degree of hearing loss affect individuals differently.

The good news is that modern hearing aids, if fit properly, are able to significantly improve a person’s ability to hear and understand speech in virtually all listening environments.
Within the last few years, I have had the opportunity to work with a few individuals that are hard of hearing. These individuals either were going into the medical field and just in the beginning stages of college, and/or were already working.

It can be extremely difficult for doctors, nurses, and medics who are hard of hearing to find a stethoscope that meets their needs. The ability to hear the sounds of auscultation (action of listening to the sounds from the heart, lungs or other organs as part of a medical diagnosis using a stethoscope) is influenced by the level of hearing loss. Another factor is whether they use hearings aids or not, and the type of hearings aids used, making it important to match the correct technology with the individual.


Learn more:

Options for those who can use a stethoscope withou a hearing aid:
  • Littmann Cardiology IV: $177
  • Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope: $200-$230

 Options for those who do use a hearing aid:

  • Cardionics E-Schope: $370
  • Littmann 3100: $400
  • Eko Digital Stethoscope: $250 plus additional $200 for attachments

Watch the video to learn more.

Contact any ATP Technology Specialist if you have questions.