Evaluation of lung sounds by telephone.

We evaluated the utility of a newly designed electronic stethoscope that can be used with the telephone system. Nine patients with wheezing, crackles, or other adventitious sounds were evaluated by a physician examiner who used a conventional stethoscope and another physician who received the signal of the electronic stethoscope via telephone. When their findings were compared, it was found that physicians agreed in 95% of observations. The potential uses of the electronic stethoscope are discussed.