Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Warranty

Does my 3M™ Littmann® Stethoscope come with warranty?
Yes, it does. If material or manufacturing defects occur during the warranty period, we will repair it free of charge, except in the cases of obvious abuse or accidental damage. If your warranty has expired, we offer affordable repairs that include replacing the tubing, ear piece, diaphragm, rim, nonchill sleeves and eartips. 3M Littmann stethoscope spare parts and accessories are also available for purchase. Please go to Where to Buy to purchase from our authorised distributors.
What does my warranty cover?
The warranty covers materials or manufacturing defects that occur during the warranty period, except in cases of obvious abuse or accidental damage.
Will my warranty be voided if I engrave my stethoscope?
No, getting your stethoscope engraved does not void the warranty.
My stethoscope is damaged. What should I do?
You can contact us via our online form to find out about your repair options.
What is involved in sending in my stethoscope for repair?
For stethoscopes under warranty, the customer receives all new pieces (except for the chestpiece which is cleaned/polished) and returned as close to a ‘new stethoscope’ as we can provide. For more information, please contact us via our online form
I bought my stethoscope in another country, is the warranty still valid in Australia?
Yes, the warranty is still valid. Please contact us via our online form if you need any assistance. For more information, visit the Warranty and Service page.
Does the warranty cover missing or stolen stethoscopes?
The warranty does not cover missing or stolen stethoscopes or its accessories. If you do decide to purchase a replacement, we would suggest finding a retailer that offers engraving or name tags. Our authorised retailers can be found at our Where to Buy page.
Does the warranty cover damaged tubing caused by pets chewing on it?
The warranty does not cover tubing chewed by pets. You can still have your stethoscope serviced to have the tubing replaced. Submit your repair request via our online form.

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2. Stethoscope Care

How do I prevent my stethoscope from becoming stiff?
The tubing material may become hard when exposed to skin for long periods of time. We recommend wearing the stethoscope over a collared shirt or jacket away from direct contact with your skin. For more information, visit our Stethoscope Care page.
How do I store my stethoscope in extreme temperatures and dusty environments?
You can store your Littmann stethoscope in the packaging box that it came in. Place it in a natual position, inside a cool and dry cupboard, drawer or locker. For more information, visit our Stethoscope Care page.
My stethoscope tubing picks up stains easily. How should I clean my stethoscope?
Our stethoscopes can be cleaned with soap and water or with an isopropyl alcohol wipe. Another option is using a 2% bleach solution. However, the stethoscopes that contain red pigments in the tubing color (Burgundy, Pink, Plum, Peach, Raspberry, Orange, etc.) do experience slight discoloration after exposure to bleach. Therefore, only use the 2% bleach solution on non-red pigmented stethoscopes or where the aesthetic coloring of the tubing is not of importance. Due to the destructive nature of bleach, we recommend using a bleach solution on a limited basis and/or when necessary, otherwise, using isopropyl alcohol wipes or a disposable wipe with soap and water will suffice for routine cleaning. Visit our Stethoscope Care page for more information.
Do you have any advice on where to store my stethoscope when it’s not in use?
You can use the stethoscope packaging box to store your stethoscope. Many clinicians also opt to store theirs in a bag, briefcase or locker. We recommend storing it in a place away from extreme heat. Visit our Stethoscope Care page for more information.
Is it advisable to change the diaphragm periodically to optimise performance?
The diaphragms should be cleaned between patients with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or a disposable wipe with soap and water. If the diaphragm becomes damaged, it should be replaced. You can purchase authentic Littmann spare parts kits from our authorised distributors in Australia. Visit the Where to Buy page for details.

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3. Stethoscope Usage

To get a good acoustic seal, you must make good contact with the patient’s skin with the diaphragm. The diaphragm on the adult side might be too big to make good contact on pediatric or very thin patients. In this case, the pediatric side would work better.
The quality is the same regardless of tubing length.
How do I wear the stethoscope comfortably so that my ears don’t hurt?
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I love the sound, but it hurts my ears. Any tips? I’ve tried different sized ear pieces.
We would suggest adjusting the headset tension to see if that helps. You can do this by pulling the eartubes apart to loosen the spring in the headset – learn more here.
Is there a big difference in auscultation using an adult stethoscope compared to a pediatric stethoscope with a pediatric patient?
To get a good acoustic seal, you must make good contact with the patient’s skin with the diaphragm. The diaphragm on the adult side might be too big to make good contact on pediatric or very thin patients. In this case, the pediatric side would work better.
Should I put on the nonchill bell sleeve that came with my Cardiology IV stethoscope or keep it as is?
You can leave it as is. Both sides of the chestpiece have tunable diaphragms which allow you to hear low- or high-frequency sounds simply by adjusting the pressure on your chestpiece (see video here for more). The smaller diaphragm is designed for use with pediatric or very thin patients. If you only see adult patients and prefer to use an open bell, you can remove the smaller tunable diaphragm and install the nonchill bell sleeve for your patients’ comfort.

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4. Stethoscope Recommendations

Which stethoscope would you recommend me if I want a pediatric stethoscope with dual-lumen stethoscope tubing?
We’d recommend the Littmann Cardiology IV stethoscope. It provides the highest acoustic performance in our range, has a pediatric side to its double-sided chestpiece, and features dual-lumen tubing.
Will the chestpiece color change or diminish over time?
Precision chestpieces are designed to deliver excellent sound quality while resisting the impacts, scratches, and chemicals of daily use.

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4.1 Best stethoscope advice and recommendations for:

Medical/nursing students and nurses?
If you will be performing physical assessments and monitoring, we recommend the Littmann Classic III stethoscope; if you will be performing detailed diagnostic auscultation, we recommend the Littmann Cardiology IV stethoscope.
Pediatricians?
We would recommend our Littmann Cardiology IV stethoscope. The Cardiology IV stethoscope delivers outstanding acoustic performance, diagnostic versatility, and convenience for treating adult and pediatric patients. The pediatric side of the chestpiece can be converted to a traditional open bell by removing the tunable diaphragm and replacing it with the included nonchill bell sleeve.
Someone who is in a Surgery unit, or studying to be in one?
If you will be performing limited physical assessments, we recommend our Littmann Classic III Stethoscope, if you will be performing detailed diagnostic auscultation, we recommend our Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscope.
Best Littmann stethoscope for veterinary care?
We recommend our Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscope for animal care.
Midwives?
We would recommend our Littmann Classic III Stethoscope. If it is intended for long-term use, we would recommend our Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscope.
Best Littmann stethoscope for respiratory therapist?
The Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscopedue to its new and improved acoustics.
An EMT basics student?
The Littmann Classic III Stethoscope or 3M™ Littmann® Master Classic II Stethoscope. They are both hard-working and dependable clinical tools for physical assessment and monitoring.
Obstetrics?
We would recommend the Littmann Classic III Stethoscope as an obstetric stethoscope due to its versatility – large side for mom, pediatric side for baby.

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5. Product Information

Are your stethoscopes made in the U.S.?
All Littmann mechanical stethoscopes are made in the USA.
How do I know if my Littmann stethoscope is authentic?
Authentic Littmann stethoscopes have a serial number engraved on the chestpiece. If your 3M™ Littmann® stethoscope does not have a serial number, or you have difficulty locating the serial number, please contact us through our online form for further assistance.
We recommend that you purchase your 3M™ Littmann® Stethoscope from one of our authorised distributors to ensure that you qualify for warranty coverage and after sales service.
Do Littmann stethoscopes contain latex?
No. Littmann stethoscopes use next-generation tubing that does not contain natural rubber latex or phthalate plasticisers.
Can any Littmann Stethoscopes be used during an MRI?
No. All our stethoscopes contain metal.

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5.1 Features

Does Littmann make stethoscopes with longer tubing?
Our standard stethoscope length is 69cm. The Master Classic II stethoscope is sold in a 71cm-long tube primarily for use in veterinary settings.
Do all Littmann stethoscopes have a tunable diaphragm?
Yes, that is correct. All our mechanical stethoscopes are tunable, except for the Classic II Infant and Pediatric stethoscopes. Additionally, only the Littmann Classic III Stethoscope and Littmann Cardiology IV Stethoscope are tunable on both sides of the chestpiece.
Are the Littmann Cardiology IV diaphragms interchangeable with the Littmann Classic III?
Diaphragms for Cardiology IV and the Classic III are the same.
Is the bell removable in the Cardiology IV?
The pediatric side of the Cardiology IV stethoscope can be converted to an open bell by removing the tunable diaphragm and installing a nonchill bell sleeve. Both the Cardiology IV and Classic III stethoscopes come with tunable diaphragms on the adult and pediatric sides of their chestpieces.

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5.2 Comparison

Is the Card IV superior to the master cardiology?
Both the Cardiology IV and Master Cardiology™stethoscopes have outstanding acoustics. The major difference is within the chestpiece functionality. The Cardiology IV stethoscope offers a pediatrics side which can be converted into a traditional bell, where the Master Cardiology™ stethoscope has a single sided chestpiece. It really depends on the patients you diagnose and your personal preference.
Are there significant differences in terms of sound quality between the Cardiology IV and Master Cardiology?
The Master Cardiology stethoscope is considered the top-of-the-line model for acoustic performance. However, the Cardiology IV stethoscope comes very close. The biggest difference lies with the chestpiece. The Master Cardiology stethoscope has a single-sided chestpiece for use on adults. Many cardiologists use this stethoscope.
The Cardiology IV has a double-sided chestpiece (large side for adults and small side for pediatric or thin patients). A clinician that sees patients of all ages might prefer the Cardiology IV stethoscope because of that. Also, the pediatric side of its chestpiece converts to an open bell, so if you want the option of having an open bell, the Cardiology IV stethoscope is recommended.

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6. My Personal Littmann

Where can I engrave my stethoscope chestpiece?
Dealers offer their own engraving services so we recommend shopping around for the best price. Visit our Where to Buy page for a list of 3M™ Littmann® authorised distributors in Australia.
Can I bedazzle/bejewel my stethoscope?
Littmann stethoscopes does not recommend the use of decorative glitter or rhinestones on the tubing since their effect on acoustic performance is unknown and they may introduce extraneous noise due to rubbing on the sound tube. In addition, these types of decorations interfere with the proper cleaning of your stethoscope.
Can you customise my stethoscope?
We do not provide special orders nor do we encourage our customers to attempt to customise their stethoscopes.

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7. Stethoscope Replacement Parts

Where can I purchase my stethoscope replacement parts from?
You can purchase them from 3M™ Littmann® authorised distributors in Australia. Visit our Where to Buy page for details.
What are your eartubes made of?
The metal eartubes are made of aircraft-grade lightweight Aluminum alloy.
Where can I request for repairs, replacements or spare parts?
You can request for repair services or replacement spare parts through this online form. Please note repair service charges will apply. If your warranty has expired, spare parts kits can be purchased through our authorised distributors.

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8. Where to Buy

Where can I buy Littmann stethoscopes from?
You can purchase your stethoscope from our authorised eCommerce distributors here. Rest assured that your stethoscope purchase is genuine and backed by an authentic 3M™ Littmann® local warranty.
I’m interested in being a distributor for Littmann stethoscopes. How can I contact you?
Please contact us through our online form and we will have someone follow up with you.

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