MRI Safe Earmuffs

Ed209

Ed209

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Jul 20, 2015
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#1
I've got to have an MRI on the 13th on both my shoulders. I've had chronic pain for a couple of years and I finally went to see my GP. I was referred for an ultra sound which revealed I've got calcific tendonitis, and so they passed me onto an osteopath who did some X-rays which showed I may have some wear and tear as well. Now I'm being sent for an MRI to see what it looks like because I might need keyhole surgery.

Anyway, I need to know where I can get hold of some MRI compliant earmuffs in the UK.
 
#2
Ed209 said:
Anyway, I need to know where I can get hold of some MRI compliant earmuffs in the UK.
Click to expand...

Don't simple foam plugs work well enough for this? If I understand correctly, the imaging isn't going to be of your head right? So you could even add some ear muffs on top if you really worry about it (as long as the metallic parts are vetted by the MRI technician as safe - there are probably some that are made of other materials for frame).
 
#3
Ed209 said:
I've got to have an MRI on the 13th on both my shoulders. I've had chronic pain for a couple of years and I finally went to see my GP. I was referred for an ultra sound which revealed I've got calcific tendonitis, and so they passed me onto an osteopath who did some X-rays which showed I may have some wear and tear as well. Now I'm being sent for an MRI to see what it looks like because I might need keyhole surgery.

Anyway, I need to know where I can get hold of some MRI compliant earmuffs in the UK.
Click to expand...

I would of thought some foam ear plugs or silicone ones would be suitable. I've ordered some Mpow ear defenders off Amazon they look like they have good protection if that's any help.
 
#4
Jcb said:
I would of thought some foam ear plugs or silicone ones would be suitable. I've ordered some Mpow ear defenders off Amazon they look like they have good protection if that's any help.
Click to expand...

Are the quoted 120db figures a bit of an exaggeration then? I had an MRI on my wrist years ago before my ear problems were a big issue, and I honestly can't remember it being loud. But, I wasn't really going in there thinking about noise at the time.
 
#5
GregCA said:
Don't simple foam plugs work well enough for this? If I understand correctly, the imaging isn't going to be of your head right? So you could even add some ear muffs on top if you really worry about it (as long as the metallic parts are vetted by the MRI technician as safe - there are probably some that are made of other materials for frame).
Click to expand...

Only all plastic earmuffs would be allowed. I should just ring the hospital and ask them what they provide. It's just that I'd rather have my own if what they have is a bit crap.
 
#6
Ed209 said:
Are the quoted 120db figures a bit of an exaggeration then? I had an MRI on my wrist years ago before my ear problems were a big issue, and I honestly can't remember it being loud. But, I wasn't really going in there thinking about noise at the time.
Click to expand...

That does seem excessive, I had a MRI scan about 5 years ago and I'm with you I don't remember it being that loud.
The foam ear plugs they gave me seemed to block out the majority of sound, I just remember it being cold and felt like a tight fit.
But you could double up with foam plugs and some mufflers, I know there's a lot of debate about the efficiency of ear protection but it's something you have to do. Hope you get some relief from your shoulder pain.
 
#7
Jcb said:
That does seem excessive, I had a MRI scan about 5 years ago and I'm with you I don't remember it being that loud.
The foam ear plugs they gave me seemed to block out the majority of sound, I just remember it being cold and felt like a tight fit.
But you could double up with foam plugs and some mufflers, I know there's a lot of debate about the efficiency of ear protection but it's something you have to do. Hope you get some relief from your shoulder pain.
Click to expand...

Yea mine was actually exactly 5 years ago. I remember it being like a low stuttering electrical zapping kinda sound that occasionally had some louder spells, but nothing I'd consider loud at all. But that's my memory of it coming a guy who spent time at gigs and band rehearsal rooms.
 
#8
Ed209 said:
Are the quoted 120db figures a bit of an exaggeration then? I had an MRI on my wrist years ago before my ear problems were a big issue, and I honestly can't remember it being loud. But, I wasn't really going in there thinking about noise at the time.
Click to expand...
I have had nearly a dozen MRIs in my life, including four alone last year and one was nearly two hours long.

There are a lot of factors that impact MRI volume, including the machine brand, whether it is open or not, and the sequences. Some sequences are incredibly loud, others are quieter. Sequence lengths vary, too. My longest MRI was not two hours of loud volume, there were many pauses will the machine moved and recalibrated. Maybe the 120dB is possible peak volumes that can be reached for a second.

I wore foam earplugs and the MRI tech added foam adhesive earmuffs, which she said they use alone as hearing protection for small children who cannot wear earplugs (yay for having small ears). Because I was having head MRIs, they also placed large foam pads on either side of my head in the device. With all of that hearing protection, the techs had to shout in order for me to hear them.

Maybe call the MRI office and ask what hearing protection they have and if you feel it's inadequate, ask if there are any earmuffs they consider safe.
 
#9
Ed209 said:
Yea mine was actually exactly 5 years ago. I remember it being like a low stuttering electrical zapping kinda sound that occasionally had some louder spells, but nothing I'd consider loud at all. But that's my memory of it coming a guy who spent time at gigs and band rehearsal rooms.
Click to expand...

I just remember the cold and claustrophobic feeling tbh, as far as the noise I don't remember it being that loud?
Haha yeah what you presume to be not so loud could be somebody's idea of unbearable since you spent time around music and rehearsal rooms. I'd double up just to be safe.
 
#10
You will be fine with foam plugs under their head set.
I had a lot of trouble with my shoulders and had the tests done.
Mine was tendons pulled out from the joint and catching in my rotata cuffs.
Lots and lots of physio and heat treatment,acupuncture and tens machine ...
A lots better over the years but still crack.
Love glynis
 
#12
My recommendation:
Double protection with foam plugs plus the headset one usually gets from the MRI-team.
 
#14
Bill Bauer said:
Are Peltor X5A made of all plastic?
Click to expand...

3M Website

"The X-Series (over-the-head) headband version is electrically insulated -sometimes referred to as "dielectric". The metal components of the headband have been covered by non-conductive material for use in a low voltage electrical hazard (less than 440 V ac)."

It has metal so it's presumably unsafe for an MRI.
 
#15
They will provide hearing protection but if you want more I used 3M ear plugs (cheap) from Home Depot, all silicone and rubber and then put the MRI provided muffs over my plugs, worked great.
 
#17
#21
I will need an MRI eventually. I am totally claustrophobic, so I will need some kind of sedative/be asleep.

Just a thought probably more philosophy than science. If you are asleep (anesthetic) to a loud nosie does it damage you?

This is like if a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear a sound kind of thing.

Cheers.
 
#23
monkey legs said:
I will need an MRI eventually. I am totally claustrophobic, so I will need some kind of sedative/be asleep.

Just a thought probably more philosophy than science. If you are asleep (anesthetic) to a loud nosie does it damage you?

This is like if a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear a sound kind of thing.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
Look for an Open MRI.
 
#26
That was absolute torture. The noise was incredibly loud. Dear god the double protection did nothing and it was a straight 20 minutes of a jackhammer to my head of varying different incredibly torturous noises. All I felt was my brain rattling it was just too intense. Model was a Philips Gyroscan.

I refused to do my right shoulder. Said my ears can't take more of that will have to do it another time or just use my left shoulder to give a rough idea for what's going on with both.
 
#27
Ed209 said:
That was absolute torture. The noise was incredibly loud. Dear god the double protection did nothing and it was a straight 20 minutes of a jackhammer to my head of varying different incredibly torturous noises. All I felt was my brain rattling it was just too intense. Model was a Philips Gyroscan.

I refused to do my right shoulder. Said my ears can't take more of that will have to do it another time or just use my left shoulder to give a rough idea for what's going on with both.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that. I'm not familiar with the Phillips brand, I do know that some brands are quieter and there are even quiet scan machines. If your doctors insist on an MRI of the other shoulder, maybe look for a quiet scan clinic.
 
#28
Tinker Bell said:
Sorry to hear that. I'm not familiar with the Phillips brand, I do know that some brands are quieter and there are even quiet scan machines. If your doctors insist on an MRI of the other shoulder, maybe look for a quiet scan clinic.
Click to expand...

Shouldn't have bothered really. All I can say is it was louder than any gig I've been to. It was horrendous.
 
#29
This was it
001A68F4-EEDB-4074-9966-2D56852CC25A.jpeg


It was done in a mobile caravan/trailor.
 
#30
Ed209 said:
Shouldn't have bothered really. All I can say is it was louder than any gig I've been to. It was horrendous.
Click to expand...
You may be right that one MRI will give them sufficient information. It sounds like they already have some information based on other types of imaging.

I'm at an elevated risk for MS, so MRIs are unfortunately going to be a regular occurrence in my life. I've used a GE silent scan before and it was quieter, except for the MRA/MRV. Apparently those use a louder sequence. Hoping that technology will keep improving.
 

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