Why is a stethoscope the iconic accessory for a physician?

Look at any photo or image of an image-conscious physician: they wear a stethoscope and often a white coat. Why a stethoscope? Why not an ear or eye inspection scope (maybe on a chain)? Or a thermometer, sphygmomanometer, prescription pad, or mallet (for testing reflexes)?

I use my stethoscope far more often than I use an ophthalmoscope or otoscope, and those are available at every nurses station and in each clinic exam room. I do also carry a reflex hammer pretty much all the time, but that stays in my pocket. Why would I wear it? The stethoscope us often slung around the neck simply because it is a convenient place for it. It doesn’t fit well in pockets.

Wild Planet Spy Gear Spy® Vision Goggles $14.99 A good spy needs his hands free on an important mission. Who knows what may lie around the corner. Always know what…

Acu-Life Optical Scope Kit – Box of 6 $4.91 Acu-Life Optical Scope Kit Home use ostoscope to help families report symptoms more accurately and monitor progress after treatment. All tools necessary for examination of eyes, ears, nose, throat and teeth. Includes a bright penlight with multiple attachments: magnifying headpiece, nose and ear speculum, tongue depressors and mouth mirror. Uses 2 AAA batteries (not included)….

Marine Sharpshooter Trilogy: Locked And Loaded $6.00 Dropped behind enemy lines you have uncovered a terrorist plan to construct a nuclear weapon and detonate it on American soil. You must follow the plot from the deserts of Afghanistan through the Russian winter and into the jungles of a small south pacific island. Armed with an arsenal of precision sniper weaponry your only assistance is provided by your observer your eyes ears and close quarters …

Champion Ballistic Passive Ears and Eyes Combo (Pink) $22.99 We now offer a convenient combination package of shooting glasses paired with sound dampening ear muffs. These safe, stylish and practical combos……

Bushnell Doa 600 Trophy Riflescope (4-12×40, Matte) $175.56 Bushnell Trophy XLT 4 – 12×40 mm Rifle Scope with DOA range – finding reticle… Dead On Accurate. A high-powered variable Scope, built for long-range excellence! Sheer performance made it America’s best-selling Scope… now, Bushnell’s made it brighter, stronger, and better equipped to fill more tags and trophy rooms than ever before. A new breed of dominance, with class-best 91% light transmissi…

Champion Electronic Ear Muffs & Shooting Glasses – Pink Package $44.99 Champion Ear Muffs – Electronic 25dB NRR Hearing Protection, Pink The shooting experts at Champion now offer female shooters new products designed to enhance their shooting experience. From shell pouches to eye and ear protection, these new products are ergonomically engineered for hours of shooting action. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from 2009 sales will go directly to fighting breas…

Notoco Otoscope 1202 Home Ear Scope 3 Specula $25.75 Use a Home Otoscope to Check Ears Check for ear infections , ear drum fluid and more with this basic medical otoscope . Make better decisions about when or if medical intervention is needed if an ear ache is suspected. The Notoco Ear Scope 1202 Home Otoscope helps both parents and caregivers. Like more expensive professional otoscopes, the EarScope has a condensing mirror to focus a strong beam li…

Apothecary Eazy Care Medi-Scope, Magnifying Light – 1 kit $6.99 The Medi-Scope was designed for home use to easily inspect eyes, ears, nose, and throat to provide better information to your doctor on family illnesses and progress after treatment. The Medi-Scope is designed to deliver extra bright, pre-focused high intensity light, which when used with the magnifying head piece and attachments, can expose problems in the mouth, eyes, ears, nose, or throat….

Pro Physician ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) Otoscope Ophthalmoscope Kit with Hard Shelled Case $89.00 This is a BRAND NEW, Physician Quality Complete Diagnostic Set in a a soft felt lined and cushioned impact resistant hard shelled case. This unit makes use of an all important variable light intensity rheostat type switch that delivers an increasing light intensity through the otoscope and ophthalmoscope as you rotate the switch. The ultra-bright halogen lamp uses 3.2 volts of electricity supplied…