FAQ About Littmann Stethoscopes

General Stethoscope Questions

I can’t hear anything out of my stethoscope. Is something wrong with it?
If the acoustic performance seems to be lacking or absent, visit the Optimizing Performance page for tips to optimize your stethoscope’s performance.

Do 3M™ Littmann® Stethoscopes contain latex?
No. Littmann stethoscopes use Next Generation Tubing that does not contain natural rubber latex or phthalate plasticizers.

Can any Littmann stethoscope be used during an MRI?
No. All of our stethoscopes contain metal.

What are the advantages of using a tunable diaphragm?
The tunable diaphragm is a 3M invention that allows you to listen to both low and high frequency sounds without the need to remove the chestpiece from the patient, turn it over, and reposition it.

By varying the pressure placed on the patient, a tunable diaphragm will adjust, or tune, the sounds to allow you to hear either low or high frequencies. When holding the tunable diaphragm on a patient and pressing lightly, low frequency sounds will be transmitted. When using the tunable diaphragm and pressing firmly, higher frequency sounds will be emphasized.

This convenience will save you time and allow you to focus on your patient instead of trying to determine if you should be listening to the bell or diaphragm side of the chestpiece.

What’s the best way for me to be sure I’m buying an authentic Littmann stethoscope?
That’s easy. Visit Littmann.com to see a full list of Authorized Dealers and look for sellers who display the 3M Littmann Authorized Dealer badge on their site or in their store. Authorized Dealers will offer a great selection, be knowledgeable, and help find just the right authentic Littmann stethoscope for you.

---

Cleaning and Care

How should I routinely clean my mechanical or electronic stethoscope? Can I sterilize it?
3M recommends cleaning Littmann stethoscopes in-between every patient with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution or wipe. Do not use hand sanitizer as a cleaning agent as there are additives that may damage parts of the stethoscope. Do not immerse your stethoscope in any liquid or subject it to any sterilization process. For more information on cleaning both electronic and mechanical stethoscopes, read the Cleaning and Care page in the My Stethoscope section.

Why does the tubing on my stethoscope become stiff and rigid after a period of years?
The majority of tubing used on Littmann stethoscopes is made of PVC (polyvinylchloride), which becomes hard when exposed for long periods of time to the lipids found in human skin. If worn around the neck, we recommend wearing the stethoscope over a collar away from contact with your skin.

What stethoscope replacement parts are available?
Visit the Parts page to see all of the parts and accessories available for your Littmann stethoscope. Parts may be purchased from our retailers. Visit the Where to Buy page to find an online retailer, or a local retailer near you.

---

Product Information

Can I use the 3M™ Littmann® Classic II Infant Stethoscope on neonates?
Yes. However, some neonatal specialists report that the diameter of the bell and diaphragm on this model is still too large to get good surface contact on neonates.

What is the initial warranty date?
The day you bought your Littmann stethoscope establishes its warranty start date. This date can be verified on your original purchase receipt. If you do not have your receipt, we will use the date it was manufactured as the warranty start date.
If a material or manufacturing defect is discovered during the warranty period, we will repair your Littmann stethoscope free of charge, upon the return of the instrument to 3M, except in cases of obvious abuse or accidental damage, subject to any additional limitations or exclusions set forth in the warranty documentation.*

What is the warranty period for a Littmann Stethoscope?
Littmann® CORE Digital Stethoscope – 2 Years
Littmann® Master Cardiology™ Stethoscope – 7 Years
Littmann® Cardiology STC Stethoscope – 6 Years
Littmann® Cardiology IV™ Stethoscope – 7 Years
Littmann® Cardiology III™ Stethoscope – 5 Years
Littmann® Classic III™ Stethoscope – 5 Years
Littmann® Master Classic II™ Stethoscope – 3 Years
Littmann® Classic II S.E. Stethoscope – 3 Years
Littmann® Classic II Infant Stethoscope – 3 Years
Littmann® Classic II Pediatric Stethoscope – 3 Years
Littmann® Electronic Stethoscope Model 3200 – 2 Years
Littmann® Electronic Stethoscope Model 3100 – 2 Years
Littmann® Select and Lightweight II S.E. Stethoscope – 2 Years
Littmann® Teaching Stethoscopes – 3 Years

Still have unanswered questions?

Simply drop us a short message