"Using a subpar stethoscope is like looking at life through a Coke bottle — you’re not going to see clearly. With the CORE 500™, you’ll hear more clearly than you can imagine."
Rediscovering sound clarity after years of concerts
For a respiratory therapist, the ability to listen closely to patients' breathing is paramount. When M.T. Blaine graduated from college his parents gifted him a double-tubed stethoscope. Upon completing his respiratory therapy program, they upgraded his tool to a premium nickel-plated version.
“That was the nicest one, and I loved it,” Blaine recalls. “I’ve still got it.”
However, over time, Blaine’s hearing began to decline — a consequence he partly attributes to his past love for concerts. “At one point in my life I was a big concertgoer and never wore ear protection,” he admits.
The switch to the 3M™ Littmann® CORE Digital Stethoscope was a game-changer for Blaine. He was amazed by the sounds he could hear, which he had previously missed. “The clarity of sound was striking — I loved it right away.”
Life as a respiratory therapist
Blaine graduated from his program in 2000 and started his career as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT) in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Since 2021 he's been the director of cardio-respiratory, sleep, and cardiac-pulmonary rehab services.
In his current role, Blaine embraces a variety of responsibilities. Working at a small rural hospital requires versatility. One of his many roles involves managing the Sleep Disorders Center, handling everything from scheduling sleep studies to discussing results with patients. Yet his greatest satisfaction comes from his rehabilitation services, where he witnesses patients' journeys to recovery.
“You see them in the emergency room and put them on BiPap [a ventilator that aids breathing], and later, you might see them after they’re discharged and coming in for pulmonary rehab,” Blaine shared.
Sharing the Eko love
When a nurse confided in Blaine about her hearing loss and her desire for the 3M™ Littmann® CORE Digital Stethoscope, Blaine sold her his. This gave him the perfect reason to purchase the Eko CORE 500™ Digital Stethoscope.
“I came home and told my wife, ‘Honey, I sold my stethoscope, so I kind of need to get another one,’” Blaine said with a laugh. “She knows me well after 20 years of marriage. And of course, since it was Eko, I got it.”
A lifelong companion: The CORE 500™ Digital Stethoscope
Today, Blaine’s work is significantly enhanced by the CORE 500™ Digital Stethoscope.
“We’re only as good as the equipment we have, and the technology behind this stethoscope is truly astounding,” he said. “Using a subpar stethoscope is like looking at life through a Coke bottle — you’re not going to see clearly. With the CORE 500™, you’ll hear more clearly than you can imagine.”
Blaine is so passionate about the CORE 500™ Digital Stethoscope that he often finds himself promoting it to colleagues and patients. Usually hesitant to adopt new technology, Blaine found no drawbacks with the CORE 500™.
“The stethoscope itself is incredible, but with the Eko App, I’m just blown away,” he said. “This is one of my favorite purchases. I absolutely love it. They’ll probably have to bury me with it.”
Discover why the Eko CORE 500™ Digital Stethoscope is essential for clinicians who demand precision in listening to body sounds.
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