heartbudsHeartBuds, a smartphone compatible listening device for cardiovascular sounds, works as well as widely used FDA-approved traditional and digital stethoscopes and better than FDA-approved disposable stethoscopes, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015. Researchers found the disposable stethoscope was notably worse at identifying heart murmurs and performed poorly when trying to detect abnormal sounds in the neck that would indicate possible carotid artery disease. Researchers rated the HeartBuds stethoscope as comparable in sound quality to the more traditional and electronic stethoscopes.

Source: American Heart Association
Full bibliographic information
Clinical Performance of The HeartBuds, an Electronic Smartphone Listening Device, Compared to FDAApproved Class I and Class II Stethoscopes
American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015, November 7-11, 2015, Orlando, Florida.