3M™ Littmann® Stethoscopes Using Tunable Technology

Easily shift between listening to high or low frequencies.

Tunable diaphragm technology is a 3M invention that helps make auscultating a patient easier and more effective. It lets you hear different types of sounds by simply adjusting the amount of pressure you apply to the chestpiece of your 3M™ Littmann® Stethoscope.

Nearly all Littmann stethoscopes feature at least one tunable diaphragm. (The exceptions: electronic, paediatric, and infant models.) Their tunable technology virtually eliminates the need to remove, turn over, and reposition the chestpiece just to hear different sounds.

While other stethoscope brands require unscrewing and changing diaphragms and bells, Littmann stethoscopes are all about ease and simplicity.

To hear low-frequency sounds, rest the chestpiece lightly on the patient. In this position, the diaphragm membrane is suspended, allowing it to resonate low-frequency sounds.

To hear high-frequency sounds, apply firm contact pressure to the chestpiece. By pressing on the chestpiece, the movement of the diaphragm membrane is restricted. This blocks (or attenuates) low-frequency sounds which allows you to hear higher-frequency sounds.