This acoustic medical instrument is often applied to listen to the heart sounds and breathe sounds of human or animal body. It is also useful to listen to the intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins. This medical instrument is preferred in the aid of diagnosing certain diseases and conditions that can even able to emit certain sounds and exclude others.

Stethoscope is considered as a symbol of the doctor's profession, as doctors are often seen or depicted with a stethoscope hanging around their neck. But it is not only used by the healthcare professionals, but also by the mechanics to isolate sound of a particular moving engine part for diagnosis. Mechanic's stethosopes are used to listen to internal sounds made by machines, such as diagnosing a malfunctioning automobile engine by listening to the sounds of its internal parts. Stethoscopes are sometimes used by safe-crackers to crack the combination to a safe.

Almost all people are familiar with this acoustic medical instrument that is usually consists of two hollow tubes and a chest piece, which is most commonly used. But one problem with acoustic stethoscopes is that the sound level is extremely low. Electronic stethoscopes overcome the low sound levels by amplifiying body sounds. Electronic stethoscope requires conversion of acoustic sound waves to electrical signals that can be amplified and processed for optimal listening.

Electronic stethoscope is quite different from the conventional stethoscopes. Electronic stethoscope has a built-in miniature amplifier inside the chest piece. This electronic stethoscope makes medical auscultation diagnosis easy. Heart sounds, respiratory sounds and murmurs are heard loud and clear. The faint murmur or abnormality that are often missed by the regular stethoscopes are easily be detected with electronic stethoscope. Light and compact, it gives up to ten times the amplification compared to the regular stethoscopes. other advanced features of electronic stethoscope are - graduated volume control, electronic filter, noise reduction circuitry, feather-touch switches / ear-tips for extra comfort and a non-chill rim.

Currently, a number of companies offer electronic stethoscopes, and it can be expected that within a few years, the electronic stethoscope will have eclipsed acoustic stethoscope.

The various types of this medical instrument includes - binaural stethoscopes, designed for use with both ears; single stethoscopes, designed for use with one ear; differential stethoscope, which allows listeners to compare sounds at two different body sites; and electronic stethoscope. Some stethoscopes are designed specifically for hearing sounds in the esophagus or fetal heartbeats.