Advice on MRI vs. Biopsy — How Is the MRI Noise? Can It Make Tinnitus Worse?

[JT1973]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and I am seeking advice. My urologist wants me to either have a prostate biopsy or MRI due to elevated PSA levels. Originally I thought I should go with the MRI to avoid the antibiotics needed for the biopsy. Now the more I read about MRI's and the noise associated with it I am not sure which way I should go. The antibiotics they want me to take for the biopsy are 1 shot of Gentamycin at the time of the procedure and then 4 doses of Cipro after the procedure.

My tinnitus spiked a few weeks ago at the time of a sinus infection. I was given Augmentin and everytime I would lake it in a couple hours the Tinnitus would get loud. After a few days the Tinnitus was almost constant and at that point I stopped taking it. I had a hearing test and I was diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss. Since I have recovered from the sinus infection and been off Augmentin my tinnitus has been gradually declining. The last thing I want to do is undergo testing that is going to make it bad again.

Questions for the forum:
Have you had an MRI and did it impact your tinnitus negatively? Was it permanent or temporary?

If you have had a prostate biopsy, are you aware of antibiotics that can be used that are less Ototoxic than Gentamycin or Cipro?

I am at a point I where I don't want to do either and continue to monitor my PSA over time. I know my urologist doesn't like this idea.

I appreciate any thoughts on this.

 

[Tybs]

Have you had an MRI and did it impact your tinnitus negatively? Was it permanent or temporary?

Neck-induced tinnitus here. Although I don't have hearing damage, I got a "silent" MRI to prevent possible extra issues with my tinnitus. Took a few hours extra to drive, but this device did not generate more than 70 dB (unlike standard MRI's that can go up to 110 dB), and with added ear protection the sounds did not get louder than a heavy vacuum cleaner.

Scan results were high quality, and I experienced no spike at all, even though my tinnitus could get quite aggravated by external frequencies.

 

[Michael B]

I had a MRI years ago and it didn't adversely affect my tinnitus. Hope all goes well either way.

 

[Audiophile_bg]

Neck-induced tinnitus here. Although I don't have hearing damage, I got a "silent" MRI to prevent possible extra issues with my tinnitus. Took a few hours extra to drive, but this device did not generate more than 70 dB (unlike standard MRI's that can go up to 110 dB), and with added ear protection the sounds did not get louder than a heavy vacuum cleaner.

Scan results were high quality, and I experienced no spike at all, even though my tinnitus could get quite aggravated by external frequencies.

What was the machine that you had the scan on?

Thanks.

 

[Audiophile_bg]

Yes the MRI scan I had in December caused a return of my tinnitus. So be careful, wear ear plugs beneath the earphones.

 

[Digital Doc]

Two things:

1 Look for a quiet MRI. Toshiba makes them, or some open ones are preferred.

2 Use double hearing protection. Call the MRI in advance, tell them you are bringing earplugs, and they need to supply compatible ear muffs. Do not use the headphones as they are not protective in many cases, but just play music and give instructions.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Now the more I read about MRI's and the noise associated with it I am not sure which way I should go.

Yes, multiple people had posted here that they got tinnitus (or got a tinnitus spike) following having an MRI done. None of them had reported their tinnitus fading afterwards. One person found an MRI that was supposed to be quiet, and it was still loud enough to give him a permanent spike. If you can avoid having an MRI, don't have one.

 

[Tybs]

What was the machine that you had the scan on?

Thanks.

Canon 3 Tesla MRI-scanner.

 

[Juan]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and I am seeking advice. My urologist wants me to either have a prostate biopsy or MRI due to elevated PSA levels. Originally I thought I should go with the MRI to avoid the antibiotics needed for the biopsy. Now the more I read about MRI's and the noise associated with it I am not sure which way I should go. The antibiotics they want me to take for the biopsy are 1 shot of Gentamycin at the time of the procedure and then 4 doses of Cipro after the procedure.

My tinnitus spiked a few weeks ago at the time of a sinus infection. I was given Augmentin and everytime I would lake it in a couple hours the Tinnitus would get loud. After a few days the Tinnitus was almost constant and at that point I stopped taking it. I had a hearing test and I was diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss. Since I have recovered from the sinus infection and been off Augmentin my tinnitus has been gradually declining. The last thing I want to do is undergo testing that is going to make it bad again.

Questions for the forum:
Have you had an MRI and did it impact your tinnitus negatively? Was it permanent or temporary?

If you have had a prostate biopsy, are you aware of antibiotics that can be used that are less Ototoxic than Gentamycin or Cipro?

I am at a point I where I don't want to do either and continue to monitor my PSA over time. I know my urologist doesn't like this idea.

I appreciate any thoughts on this.

An MRI is really really loud. And many people on these forums reported that it damaged their hearing. If you go for an MRI carry earmuffs (without any metal on them) and earplugs too.

 

[Tamara]

I had an MRI 6 years ago and as a result I have tinnitus and hyperacusis. I don't have anything before taking this exam, which was very, very loud. One of the antibiotics you cited ė admittedly ototoxic.

 

[Kriszti]

I had an MRI in November which spiked my tinnitus for about a week. The second week it faded back to baseline. I only wore foam earplugs (NRR33) , because I had a cage-like mask over my head and there was not enough room for an earmuff. If you decide on the MRI, try to chose an open one and double protection.

It's a very hard decision, because both gentamycin and cipro can worsen or cause tinnitus as well.

 

[hans799]

I had two MRIs for my lower back, spaced roughly a year apart, using earplugs as protection. Neither affected my tinnitus in any way. I don't recall whether they were "silent" ones but the noise wasn't bad.

However, at that time I wasn't aware of the risks of MRIs on tinnitus. Today, I'd only go for a MRI if it was absolutely essential and even then I'd pay whatever I had to to go for a "silent" machine.