I’m shortly to have an MRI scan and I’m told that it is extremely noisy to the point that you have to wear ear defenders supplied by the radiologist. My worry is is this likely to make my tinnitus worse and is there anything I can do to prevent it such as wearing particular earplugs?
I wear silicon earplugs when I’m in a car and that does help deaden the noise to an extent and if I can wear those as well as the earplugs the hospital provides and would this help
Hi Healthseeker345
I have had a few MRIs, including two for Tinnitus. Yes it is noisy - a hammering sound (not sure if all machines make the same kind of noise), and I was offered and used music in a little set of headphones. The radiographer needs to be able to communicate with you, so I don't think that any protection offering more or less complete silence would be acceptable.
My personal opinion is this - the loudness is scary for anyone with T. I was very scared first time (more than 20 years ago). It will be worse, of course, for anyone hyperacusic, which I am not, and the anxiety / sound level may induce a spike in your T, but I don't think that the level of sound (if you use the supplied protection), is sufficient to damage your hearing - which would be the reason that the scan might make your T worse. Overall then, I think that one should use that protection, try to relax, and not worry about long term damage.
Opinions differ - someone else will be along soon to add theirs.
Best wishes.
rather like a ride on an aeroplane, or a coach, really. Once the noise has gone, the primitive part of your brain compensates by increasing the phantom noise in your brain. It soon passes.
Hi.My hubby who has severe tinnitus/hyperacusis had a MRI in January was very anxious about it. He asked if he could wear his own silicone ear buds with their headphones provided but he could not. They did however provide foam ear buds and used their headphones and he did not find it as bad as he was expecting with not the level of suffering next day.
Good luck
Hello, I literally had an MRI yesterday. I was very anxious! It was fine. I had foam ear plugs and headset. I could hear my T throughout, so it’s not as noisy as you’d think. Also depends on how modern the scanner is. They can play music through the headphones too which helps. I didn’t notice a spike in my T, but the hospital is a noisy place. Hope all goes well for you.
Don't post on here but do read! Please try not to worry about the headphones or the noise of the MRI. Its genuinely not as bad as you think its going to be. I have come and go tinnitus in one ear and headphones in the MRI didn't affect it one bit. On the day I reckon you'll be more concentrating on what the Radiologist is telling you when you're in the machine. Before you know it it will be over and done. Good luck, it will be fine!
Hi there. I had MRI 2 years ago to investigate tinnitus. Unfortunately I found it incredibly loud and it triggered or coincided with a huge tinnitus spike which I’m still adapting to. Possibly I was unlucky with the scanner and had an older louder one. They give you a button to press if you need to stop the scan. My advice would be to press the button if you find it too loud.
Thank you. Do you have sensitive hearing too? I find I have to use silicon earbuds when I’m driving on motorways and that is about 70 to 80 dB apparently the MRIs can go from 117 to 130 depending on the machine and the ear protection (I understand anyway) brings it down by about 26 to 30 db so it would be around 90 to 100 dB and then the music on top and the danger level apparently is 85db. . I’m going to talk to the radiology department. But I must say the responses here have been very kind, informative encouraging and very helpful so thank you.
Yes I’ve got sensitive hearing. I think it’s like hearing normal sounds louder than they really are. Household noises, at work or outside if it’s windy. If you already have this condition I would definitely discuss with healthcare professionals before having the scan. I think for me it made the MRI even louder but from the other posts you can most people are unaffected. I would look at it as a risk based decision.
they play music through the ear phones. This stops when a recorded voice tells you what’s happening
Hi, When I had a T MRI scan I was given head phones and was asked if I wanted any music playing, which I did. It was very loud and I thought it might make my T worse, but it had no effect on my T and I was glad to be told it was nothing serious causing my T.
Hi, it’s really nothing to worry about and not that loud, you are given a headset to wear and they play music and talk to you through that, you can press a button if you need help. I took some Kalms beforehand and actually fell asleep during the scan. I’ve had two scans before, you’ll be fine.
might try Kalms thanks
Don’t worry I have had a few MRI scans
I tell them I have tinnitus & they offer earphones
Made no difference to my T so good luck
yes, I think I wore my silicon earplugs as well as the headphones. Just check with them though. Or even out some cotton balls in. You can get the volume of music and type of music you want as well. It’s still clunky sounding as there are long loud beeps but for tinnitus it’s a 15 mins scan. Don’t worry , your ears will be protected. The sound is more annoying because it’s repetitive. Relax, breathe and visualise a nice scene. Overall I wanted the scan to rule out other things so it’s worth it for long term peace of mind
I was given ear plugs and headphones to wear.
I've had a few and always doubled up. I use alpine earplugs which, not containing any metal, are OK to wear. Then I have had their own over ear ones on top. Never been a problem if you explain that you have bad T.
Like you I have always had sensitive hearing. You can bring your own ear plugs, but they did provide ear protection and padding during my mri's and others may have the same to report. Since you have to be as still as you can, just zone in and meditate and it's all rather peaceful. If you bring your own you may be responsible for assuring that there is no metal in the earplugs or if there is any metal that they know of powdered or otherwise then they may not allow you to use them for your own safety. But their safety standards know about the issues and are well established to not defeat the exams needs, while keeping you safe, including your hearing. I wouldn't worry.
It IS noisy but I wouldn't describe it as "extremely".
If you have Hyperucausis then yes, might be a good idea to wear some ear protection. You do have to listen to instructions though; "Breathe in normally", etc.
hi there. I’ve had several scans - it is quite noisy but I didn’t notice any difference to the T possibly a tad but it receded quickly - same as using diy stuff or car journeys. Try not to worry about it as that is the thing that will I crease the T - your nervous system ramping up into fight and flight. Check out some breathing techniques to use while you are in the tube. It massively helps. The procedure is really not bad at all.
I had a. very noisy mri scan two weeks ago. Very loud. I did cope didn’t make my. T. any worse. Try not to worry it will be all over within 15 minutes or there abouts …. Good luck
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