UK Locations of Quieter MRI Machines for Tinnitus and Hyperacusis?

[Elho]

Hi all,

I'm possibly heading for a lumbar spine and thoracic spine MRI scan. Unfortunately, I have tinnitus and hyperacusis, so I really don't fancy going into one of those machines. I've discovered that some manufacturers actually make quieter models. I contacted them, but they're not allowed to tell me where these machines are or who has purchased them.

I also contacted the Royal College of Radiologists, but they have no database. So I'm wondering if anyone has any knowledge of where some of these quieter machines might be?

Many thanks for any ideas you have on this.

 

[LloydB]

Hi @Elho,

I did some research, and the Canon 3T is quieter than the rest, although I never went ahead with it. I spoke to Canon a while ago and they sent me this email:

There are four Canon 3T scanners.

The Imaging Center (TIC) at Barnet FC's Hive stadium
Opus Diagnostics Tel: 01344 203620 in Ascot
Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield
Manchester United Training Ground

I'm not sure what the maximum volume is on the 3T systems, but I've asked our European office's and will pass it on. Although I'm sure you know already that there would be so many variables to a scan and the scan environment that this would be a difficult thing to quantify for your needs specifically.

Canon systems are less noisy due to the combination of software, hardware and scanning techniques to minimise acoustic noise. Also you'd probably be invited to listen to music through headphones during scanning, or to have ear protection.

I'm not sure if you have been advised that you need a scan on a 3T system. Generally a 1.5T system is an adequate or even a better option than being scanned on a 3T. If it is to be a 3T Galan, then out of the systems we look after, I'd suggest trying Opus in Ascot first.

 

[Elho]

Hi @LloydB, this is terrific information. You clearly had a more positive response than I was able to get.

Thank you for sharing it.

If more people have had similar success, then this thread could become a useful resource.

I will look into the 3T as well.

 

[Jupiterman]

Wouldn't you be better off with the 1.5 T machines? Wouldn't they be quieter than the 3 T machines?

 

[Elho]

Wouldn't you be better off with the 1.5 T machines? Wouldn't they be quieter than the 3 T machines?

Apparently, it has more to do with how they are built and the software they run on, rather than how powerful they are. I think it comes down to the progression of design.

Here is a bit of information on the Canon scanner…

 

[SueX]

Hiya, I'm in the UK. You might want to take a look at Vista Health in London. They have an open MRI in W1 that is really not very loud at all. When I went in it last November, I couldn't get the earplugs to fit properly, and they didn't seem particularly concerned.

On the other hand, I recently had scans done on a 3T machine. Compared to the usual 1.5T MRI scanner, the magnets are more powerful and extremely loud. For that one, I used two pairs of earplugs along with padding all around my head and neck.

I think it's best to narrow things down to a couple of places that suit you geographically, then speak directly with the radiologists at those locations. Good luck.

 

[Elho]

Hiya, I'm in the UK. You might want to take a look at Vista Health in London. They have an open MRI in W1 that is really not very loud at all. When I went in it last November, I couldn't get the earplugs to fit properly, and they didn't seem particularly concerned.

On the other hand, I recently had scans done on a 3T machine. Compared to the usual 1.5T MRI scanner, the magnets are more powerful and extremely loud. For that one, I used two pairs of earplugs along with padding all around my head and neck.

I think it's best to narrow things down to a couple of places that suit you geographically, then speak directly with the radiologists at those locations. Good luck.

@SueX, may I ask which body parts you had scanned in the Vista Open MRI scanner? Are you able to lie down in that one?

Thank you very much for your response.

 

[SueX]

@SueX, may I ask which body parts you had scanned in the Vista Open MRI scanner? Are you able to lie down in that one?

Thank you very much for your response.

Hiya,

VISTA has two types of MRI scanners in London that are not conventional closed scanners. One is called an upright scanner. You sit between two large bulkheads that contain the magnets. It is a bit of a squeeze, meaning you are close to the sides, but you are not fully enclosed. That might help reduce the volume. However, I have used this scanner at that location recently, and it was quite loud.

The other scanner they have at the same location is called their open scanner. You lie down with one part of the machine above you and the other beneath you, and it is open on both sides. This one is much quieter than the upright scanner. It feels slightly more claustrophobic, but the noise level is significantly lower.

 

[Elho]

Hiya,

VISTA has two types of MRI scanners in London that are not conventional closed scanners. One is called an upright scanner. You sit between two large bulkheads that contain the magnets. It is a bit of a squeeze, meaning you are close to the sides, but you are not fully enclosed. That might help reduce the volume. However, I have used this scanner at that location recently, and it was quite loud.

The other scanner they have at the same location is called their open scanner. You lie down with one part of the machine above you and the other beneath you, and it is open on both sides. This one is much quieter than the upright scanner. It feels slightly more claustrophobic, but the noise level is significantly lower.

Thanks, Sue, that's really helpful. I have no idea how you are coping with all the scans and the noise you must be experiencing, so hats off to you!

 

[Ant_BXL]

Has anyone used the Canon Pianissimo Zen 3T or has any feedback about it?

 

[SueX]

Is that scanner somewhere in the UK? I have been in a 3T machine. I am not sure if there are differences between types of 3T scanners. The one I went in was fairly spacious, but it was very loud.

 

[Elho]

Has anyone used the Canon Pianissimo Zen 3T or has any feedback about it?

Yes, I emailed Opus, and this was the response from an employee there:

"Our MRI scanner is not a quiet scanner. It may be slightly less noisy than other scanners, but it is not quiet.

We can provide you with soft foam earplugs and noise-cancelling headphones to wear during your scan, with the option of listening to music or not.

I suffer from both hyperacusis and tinnitus as well, so I understand why you are apprehensive about being in the scanner. However, I have had many scans here myself, and the noise has not been a problem. The only scan that is a bit difficult to endure is a brain MRI, as those are very noisy, but the lumbar and thoracic scans are not too bad."

 

[orbiter12]

@Elho, did you end up getting the scan in the end?

I was in the same situation three years ago. You can ask ChatGPT for the locations of scanners, and sometimes it can find them by scanning the internet.

I went with the Canon Vantage Orion 1.5T scanner at Vista Health in London. Canon is meant to have patents that make it one of the quietest machines. I had a brain MRI.

To be honest, I still found it very loud, even with a foam earplug. Thank God it only took 15 minutes, as I was about to press the red buzzer.

It made my hyperacusis flare up, but it went back down to baseline after a couple of weeks.

Now I need another MRI, this time a full spine scan, which is supposed to take 45 minutes. I barely lasted 15 minutes in the scanner the first time, so I really don't know how I'm going to make it through 45 minutes. I'm at a bit of a crossroads.

 

[Elho]

@Elho, did you end up getting the scan in the end?

I was in the same situation three years ago. You can ask ChatGPT for the locations of scanners, and sometimes it can find them by scanning the internet.

I went with the Canon Vantage Orion 1.5T scanner at Vista Health in London. Canon is meant to have patents that make it one of the quietest machines. I had a brain MRI.

To be honest, I still found it very loud, even with a foam earplug. Thank God it only took 15 minutes, as I was about to press the red buzzer.

It made my hyperacusis flare up, but it went back down to baseline after a couple of weeks.

Now I need another MRI, this time a full spine scan, which is supposed to take 45 minutes. I barely lasted 15 minutes in the scanner the first time, so I really don't know how I'm going to make it through 45 minutes. I'm at a bit of a crossroads.

Hi @orbiter12.

I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm glad you managed to get back to baseline.

Yes, I actually used ChatGPT for exactly that last night. I haven't gone ahead with it yet, but I'll probably go to Opus in Ascot, although the car journey there might be a challenge. I'm seeing my physio in a couple of weeks, so I'll likely be referred for a scan then.

Please let me know how things go on your end, and I'll do the same here if I've gone ahead with it.

 

[SueX]

If you are going to the same place in London (I have been there three times), you could ask for the foam earplugs, along with the extra foam they can place between your ears and the helmet or coil. I have also had scans at Queen Square Imaging. It is more expensive than Vista, but very good.

Technically, the 3T scanner they use is not quiet, but to be honest, they put a lot of effort into reducing the noise for me. Overall, I found it to be a gentler experience for my ears compared to the one at Vista.

 

[Elho]

If you are going to the same place in London (I have been there three times), you could ask for the foam earplugs, along with the extra foam they can place between your ears and the helmet or coil. I have also had scans at Queen Square Imaging. It is more expensive than Vista, but very good.

Technically, the 3T scanner they use is not quiet, but to be honest, they put a lot of effort into reducing the noise for me. Overall, I found it to be a gentler experience for my ears compared to the one at Vista.

Hi @SueX, does that mean you cannot wear ear defenders over the foam earplugs when getting a thoracic scan at Opus? They just pack some extra foam instead?

 

[SueX]

Not sure which place is Opus. I know Vista in W1, where they have upright and open scanners—they have two of them—and Queen Square Imaging, where they have a 3T MRI machine. It is loud, but they are very strict about the ear protection protocol.

 

[Elho]

Not sure which place is Opus. I know Vista in W1, where they have upright and open scanners—they have two of them—and Queen Square Imaging, where they have a 3T MRI machine. It is loud, but they are very strict about the ear protection protocol.

Opus Diagnostics is located in Queens Square, Ascot. In your experience, is the 3T scanner at Queens Square louder than the Vista scanners?

 

[Ken219]

@Elho, do you know if you're going head or feet first?

 

[Elho]

Not sure which place has Opus. I know Vista in W1, where they have upright and open scanners—they have two of them—and Queen Square Imaging, where they have a 3T MRI machine. It is loud, but they are very strict about the ear protection protocol.

Whoops, I see now that there are two Queen's Squares! We were talking about different places. Oh well. Thank you for the information about Vista!

@Elho, do you know if you're going head or feet first?

The assistant there says that for the spine, it's probably head first, but I don't know for sure since I haven't spoken to the radiologist yet.