Tinnitus and MRI

[MRMUSICM]

I have been living with Tinnitus for over thirty years and have been able to manage it. Three weeks ago I had a MRI for my hip problem. The technician did not ask me any questions about whether I had any ear problems. She handed me some cheap ear plugs and said it can get loud. It was incredible loud. Lasted 20 minutes. After a few minutes I put my fingers in my ears which helped a little. I should have stopped the MRI. Since then my tinnitus is worse. Hearing also different. Has anyone else had this happen? Any thoughts on how to help?

[Beesmac]

Hello - I have had 3 MRI’s in the last 18 months and on all occasions have been given ear plugs and headphones to wear. Thankfully none of these MRI’s affected my tinnitus but I agree it does get loud. Hopefully your tinnitus will go back to bearable levels soon x

[D-w-L2023]

I'm a 70 year old musician who's also had tinnitus for over 30 years and recently had a 20 minute MRI scan after a raised PSA test. I wasn't asked any questions about my hearing but I told them I had tinnitus. I was given foam earplugs and and headphones so they could communicate with me. Normally I hate loud noise (ironic after all those years in loud rock bands!) but strangely I didn't find it painful. I ended up counting the beeps and rhythms and used it to write a backing for an advert I'd been asked to do. It didn't seem to affect my tinnitus though so maybe they gave me different ear plugs?

I'm surprised they didn't stop the MRI if you were in such distress. If you have to have another perhaps you can take your own earplugs. I hope it improves.

[Cookie24 in reply to D-w-L2023]

I am fairly new to tinnitus about 5 months. I like concerts and bar bands. Do you use musicians earplugs, and which ones?

[PABLR in reply to Cookie24]

I attend baseball games and they can get LOUD. I have had a pair of custom hearing plugs made. They were expensive, but because of my narrow ear canals I could never get the otc ones to stay in. You can also get different filters to put into these. I haven't tried them at a basketball game yet as it's another month until the season starts, but I use them for vacuuming and hear almost nothing and I have used them on a plane and they were great. They were expensive - if you're interested I can find out how much, but I need to check my bank statement. I'm thinking $200 the pair with two different filters. I got them through my audiologist.

[Cookie24 in reply to PABLR]

Thanks for responding.

[D-w-L2023 in reply to Cookie24]

Hi Cookie, I had to give up gigging live 20 years ago because my tinnitus would be so bad after a gig. That's despite me wearing custom made musicians plugs where they use a mould of your ear to build the plug. They were expensive, about £100 25 years ago. They worked but by that time my ears were too far gone. Even now I don't go to any gig I think might be loud. All my music these days is recording at home. Good luck with your search.

[Cookie24 in reply to D-w-L2023]

Thanks. I am in the US.

[ModelMetalworker]

I had two MRI back to back earlier this year, they literally pulled me out for the next injection then pushed me back in. I was given ear plugs and ear headphones, just as well the noise was colossal. The T remained as was. Anyone who is ok managing T should remember how bad it was and could still be and protect what you have.

[doglover1973 in reply to ModelMetalworker]

Very good advice MM. Always protect your ears.

[ModelMetalworker in reply to doglover1973]

Yes protect the T not just from noise but from medication also, had to stop steroid nasal drops recently after just two applications.

[doglover1973 in reply to ModelMetalworker]

Totally agree MM. I wouldn't take meds - unless they were life saving. My T is loud enough without them.

[Cookie24 in reply to ModelMetalworker]

Same with me back to back MRIs. I was given earplugs and head phones - machine still loud.

[doglover1973]

I'm sorry to hear of you experience. It sounds as if you didn't have adequate hearing protection. Very poor patient care. It might be an idea to have your hearing checked out - just to be on the safe side. Hope your T settles soon.

[Barbiebabbs]

I had a hearing test in a few years back in April and they talked me into taking another one in May and it made mine really loud but at first it was only a zzz zzz after the hearing test it turned into a ringing it finally got down so low that it's hard to hear but I've learned the trick to it is when it starts I know it's hard to do but when it starts if you can get your mind on something else tell yourself it's not there it's your imagination it will get better and better plus I got paid for a few times too so you might want to try that and no I would not take an MRI I almost did and I'm like no I don't want my ear to start ringing again but it's not actually your ear it sounds like it but it's in your head it's a nerve in your head

[PABLR]

I found these after I had replied to you. I would definitely have given them a go if I hadn't bought the custom made ones. At under $25 it's worth a try, maybe? They are also available on Amazon with slightly different variations as well. us.loopearplugs.com/product...

[Bellyboo]

Hi. They should have used ear defenders at the very least. Send a complaint by email to protect others in the future.

[Sunbeams8]

Very sorry to hear that Mr Music,

I had a similar experience two years ago .

There was no prior warning from my consultant that it involved any noise .

As I was lying down ready for the MRI , I asked what the headphones were for that were hanging nearby .

The operative said that they were for him as it gets noisy .

I said that I had tinnitus and he replied that he did not know what I was talking about .

They handed me some rubbish earplugs and no headphones and I proceeded .

My opinion is that the operatives had no training whatsoever and that patients are having their hearing damaged for no reason apart from plain ignorance .

This experience triggered Hyperacusis which I now have to live with for the rest of my life due to incompetence.

My detailed email sent after the event describing what had happened has yet to have a satisfactory reply .

My advice is not to proceed unless you are given good quality ear plugs and headphones as the noise level approaches 120 decibels !

[doglover1973 in reply to Sunbeams8]

Sorry to hear of your experience Sunbeams8 If I'm honest I question the use of MRI for people with tinnitus - unless there's a very specific reason. It doesn't make sense. Nearly all MRIs come back clear but may damage your ears in the process. They've developed quiet MRI in the US and the sooner it comes to the UK the better .

[pigeonCl-HU in reply to doglover1973]

I agree with you, doglover. Although I have no experience of MRI, from what I read on this forum, it looks like it does more harm then good.

Should I be offered an MRI, I think I will refuse to take it. My ENT appointment keeps being postponed, but between you and me, as T is incurable, what is the point to even have an ENT appointment if I do not notice any deterioration in my hearing?

Some folks say even a hearing test may trigger a negative effect on their tinnitus. I am getting used to live with the unwelcome company of Mr T; as long as it stays at this level....

I really couldn't cope should the noise all of the sudden become aggravated.

Do you have any experience with MRI or hearing test?

pigeon.

[doglover1973 in reply to pigeonCl-HU]

Hi pigeonCl-HU I'm glad to hear you're getting used to your T . That's very good news. It's best not to do anything to aggravate T - as you say.

I went to ENT a couple of years ago. The hearing test was a little uncomfortable but didn't affect my T at all. The ENT doc told me I'm almost deaf on one side and offered me a scan. I dithered ..

In the end I asked for a CT scan instead. The picture isn't as clear and there's the question of radiation but I felt it was the lesser of two evils.

I'd advise you to do what you feel comfortable doing. All the best 🙂

[pigeonCl-HU in reply to doglover1973]

Yeah, cannot possibly entertain the idea of T worsening. I now manage to cope during the day, but shudder to think of Mr T rearing its ugly head any higher.

I agree with you, should I be offered an MRI, I shall refuse and opt for the lesser evil of a CT scan.

I so so miss the sound of Silence.....

[doglover1973 in reply to pigeonCl-HU]

Me too pigeonCl-HU Silence is golden. You might have to press for CT scan. Don't be afraid to do so. All the very best 🙂