Advances in technology with the introduction of electronic stethoscopes mean that early detection of heart disease is fast becoming a reality in primary care settings. Evaluating the acoustic properties of the heart using auscultation methods with a traditional stethoscope has long been the trusted method of assessment. However, the continually evolving technology over the past ten years of microchip development means that electronic stethoscopes have the facility to analyse and measure heart sounds in a more objective manner. Now practitioners can rely less on their subjective judgement and own hearing ability to gain an accurate representation of sounds using the electronic version. Software versions allow downloads to computer after digitally recording heart sounds for data analysis. Noise reduction technology reduces noise by 75% on average but still allows critical body sounds to be heard. Researchers now use this facility to provide valuable new insight into the diagnostic value of the heart sounds and the analysis techniques adopted using PC downloaded recordings include wavelet transform and neural network. It is anticipated that with further technical advances in the field of the development of electronic models, the possible detection of heart disease early in a patients examination is likely to be a scenario seen far more predominantly in a physicians office.