Why do stethoscopes get hard?
Why do stethoscopes get hard? 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. Do I really need a stethoscope case? When you're not using your stethoscope, store it in a cool dry place - a stethoscope carrying case is ideal, though you may have to purchase this separately depending on the manufacturer. Can you damage your stethoscope? Extreme temperatures can damage your...