The stethoscope was invented in france in 1816 by rené laennec at the necker-enfants malades hospital in paris.[1] it consisted of a wooden tube and was monaural. His device was similar to the common ear trumpet, a historical form of hearing aid; indeed, his invention was almost indistinguishable in structure and function from the trumpet, which was commonly called a "microphone".

The stethoscope was invented in france in 1816 by rené laennec at the necker-enfants malades hospital in paris.[1] it consisted of a wooden tube and was monaural. His device was similar to the common ear trumpet, a historical form of hearing aid; indeed, his invention was almost indistinguishable in structure and function from the trumpet, which was commonly called a "microphone".