Great device
I purchased one basically because I have bad hearing. I love it. I’m the only nurse that has the Eko 500. There is another nurse that uses the smaller device because of hearing issues. I shared my stethoscope with a nurse practitioner the other day and she returned it to me that afternoon with compliments. I told her it is even better when you can use the app with it. There is another nurse practitioner that I work with that has been wanting one but wasn’t sure if it was worth it. She was able to try mine out and she loves it. I have probably sold two of these just by letting some nurses try it out. Thank you for helping those of us that can’t hear well. It is a great advancement. I understand LSU uses these also ! Kudos!!!!
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Eko Core 500 Review: Disappointed by Feature Removal and Subscription Model
I initially purchased the Eko Core 500 due to its appealing functionality and innovative features, particularly the murmur detection tool, which was a game-changer for clinical practice. It worked seamlessly and added immense value to my diagnostic process. However, my experience has taken a sharp turn for the worse.
After a recent app update, the murmur detection feature was removed, and now it is locked behind a subscription paywall. This abrupt shift is incredibly disappointing. A feature that was integral to the device’s appeal should not be stripped away after purchase. It feels like a bait-and-switch tactic, undermining the trust customers place in the product and brand.
What’s worse is that the core functionality of the device is now handicapped unless you commit to ongoing subscription fees. For a premium product like this, essential features should remain accessible without recurring costs after the initial investment.
I can no longer recommend the Eko Core 500 to colleagues or anyone considering it. While the hardware itself remains functional, the reliance on the app and its sudden monetization of critical features has severely impacted its value. Unless Eko revisits this decision and restores key functionalities without requiring a subscription, potential buyers should be cautious. This is not the reliable, user-centric device it once was.
After a recent app update, the murmur detection feature was removed, and now it is locked behind a subscription paywall. This abrupt shift is incredibly disappointing. A feature that was integral to the device’s appeal should not be stripped away after purchase. It feels like a bait-and-switch tactic, undermining the trust customers place in the product and brand.
What’s worse is that the core functionality of the device is now handicapped unless you commit to ongoing subscription fees. For a premium product like this, essential features should remain accessible without recurring costs after the initial investment.
I can no longer recommend the Eko Core 500 to colleagues or anyone considering it. While the hardware itself remains functional, the reliance on the app and its sudden monetization of critical features has severely impacted its value. Unless Eko revisits this decision and restores key functionalities without requiring a subscription, potential buyers should be cautious. This is not the reliable, user-centric device it once was.
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Response from developer
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We understand your frustration and value our customers’ trust and are committed to providing the best possible user experience. We would like to investigate this matter further and help address your concerns. Please reach out to our support team directly at support@ekohealth.com, and we’ll do our best to assist you and resolve the issue. We appreciate your feedback and hope to restore your confidence in our products and services.
Not working properly
Unable to save recordings, unable to play sounds through either the phone speaker or a connected device through wireless listening.
Paid App Now
So you pay over 300 USD for a stethoscope that doesn’t really work that well for sound amplification or ambient noise suppression, but you remove features from the accompanying app that allow one to save the audio? Then add murmur detection and A-fib recognition, which are two of the easiest things to hear on cardiac auscultation for 112 USD per year?!! That’s a lot of money for rather useless features. No one who practices medicine is going to rely on those features without a 12 lead ekg and more professional testing (e.g., echo). It’s a novelty at best. And while we’re on the topic of novelty, how appropriate is it to remove the simple record and save feature? Someone might want to record their animal’s heart sounds, or a family member, and pass them around. For whatever reason, removing the recording ability seems pretty tacky.
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Response from developer
Thank you for reaching out to us. We appreciate your feedback regarding the recent experience. Upon reviewing your account, we can confirm that you are currently enrolled in our legacy plan. This means you can continue to use all the features and benefits included in your existing plan without interruption. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to let us know. We're here to help.
Eko Core Stethoscope & App
I love the Eko Core stethoscope and the companion Eko App. I recently saw a patient at our clinic who had an irregular rhythm. I was able to take a 3-lead EKG on the spot, securely message the PDF to her cardiologist, and then start a beta blocker and a NOAC. The whole process took maybe 10 minutes, and most of that time was explaining atrial fibrillation to her. Amazing. My only minor complaint is that I wish the volume settings for heart and lungs could be adjusted independently. Perhaps my hearing is not as good with lower frequencies, but I have to keep the volume on high for heart and on medium-low for lungs. Therefore, every time I switch from one mode to the other, I have to readjust the volume. Having a way to adjust the volume independently for each mode would be a nice enhancement.
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My best friend
I got this stethoscope because I’m hearing impaired. And then the pandemic hit. I used just the steth with a paired Bluetooth speaker and it made my life on the Covid unit so much better. The patients could hear what we’ve all been listening to. And I could put it in a glove, wrapped, and cruise into rooms. Also, because I could play it to Bluetooth speaker, the fact that I had on a PAPR didn’t matter. Best investment into my career!
Sadly, this little guy has been through so much and is missing some plastic bits from being dropped or flung during dangerous patient encounters! Still works great but looks war-torn. Ready for a new one!
Sadly, this little guy has been through so much and is missing some plastic bits from being dropped or flung during dangerous patient encounters! Still works great but looks war-torn. Ready for a new one!
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Great stethoscope!
Work as a Emt and trying to get vitals in the back of a ambulance with a regular stethoscope was useless. Especially when lights and sirens are going and the engine noise. With the Littman Eko stethoscope. You get clear lung sounds and also heart sounds. And you. An send them from your phone to the doc when your enroute to the hospital also. Well worth the money!
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Less features for visiting nurses when they took away the quick check
Are use the stethoscope as a visiting hospice nurse. This would've been four stars if they would've kept the quick check feature as part of the product. They remove this feature and now this tour becomes extremely less used for as a visiting nurse dealing with terminally ill people who do not easily participate in the exam, are wearing the appropriate down etc. as they could be having hospice services in a new geographic location, have their body in any position that is comfortable for them etc. This was a much needed feature that they removed without appropriate notice or giving access to.
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Response from developer
Hi there, thank you for the feedback! We'd love to learn more about your usage of the Eko app. Can you please email support@ekohealth.com and provide us your Eko email address?
AI promises unmet, not able to share audio recording easily, and poor audio playback quality.
I have bought Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope for one of its advertised features, the AI murmur detection and cardiac examination. I’m surprised to know that I can not use this feature in my country even tho I’ve paid 450$ for the stethoscope. I’d rate the app a zero if possible, because it basically provides nothing of benefit currently to me as a physician. Great stethoscope but a very poorly made app. Please consider fixing all the stated problems as soon as possible because this seems like false advertisement.
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Response from developer
We are always working on improvements to the App and benefit from feedback like yours to make those improvements. Please email us at support@ekohealth.com and our support team will be happy to help you further.
Small animal veterinarian
I am eager to find if this stethoscope can help me with my veterinary care. It works great on human patients. The settings for animals will be different.
