Use of a heart sound simulator in teaching cardiac auscultation.

The use of a heart sound simulator in teaching recognition of heart sounds was tested in 37 graduate students. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups; one group received both auditory and tactile cues and the other group received only auditory cues. Students were tested at three times: (1) before use of the simulator, (2) after a short teaching session using the simulator, and (3) 2 weeks later. Recognition of heart sounds increased significantly after the teaching session with the simulator, and this knowledge was retained. There was no difference in sound recognition between the two groups.