An elastic sheath and a retaining ring is provided for a stethoscope having a head, a sound tube and an earpiece. The sheath has an open end for admittance of the head and a portion of the sound tube and a closed end. The sheath is sized such that the head of the stethoscope and at least a portion of the sound tube is enveloped by the sheath. The retaining ring is mounted to the sound tube and extends radially outwardly therefrom. The retaining ring is sized such that the sheath plastically deforms to envelop the retaining ring. The retaining ring thus releasably retains the sheath on the stethoscope.
