Examination of Auditory Effects of Noise Exposure During Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is any noise induced Threshold Shift resulting from the noise exposure for the various Magnetic Resonance Imaging examinations. A total of 17 adult patients (34 ears) were scheduled for MRI studies anticipated to require atleast 20 mins of imaging time were included in this study. Screening OAE test was done & baseline pure tone air & bone conduction thresholds were determined employing a step size of 2dB for each ear. The MRI instrument under the present study is a General Electrical Sigma Contour 0.5 Tesla device. The post MR imaging audiometric threshold estimation was done as soon as possible after the completion of MRI study. Statistical analysis using the paired ‘t’ test shows that there was a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the air conduction thresholds at 4 kHz and at 8kHz (p < 0.001) after. This shows that there is a noise induced Threshold Shift in the normal hearing subjects after the MRI which suggests that the noise exposure during the MRI has damaging effects on the auditory system. The parents study shows that the noise exposure during an MRI scan has an effect on the human auditory system and has been found to cause significant noise induced threshold shift at 4 kHz and 8 kHz. Noise and its auditory and nonauditory effects are proven in the literature. Since the present study revealed significant noise induced Threshold Shift, there is a need for effective Ear Protective Devices usage during MRI procedures to reduce long-term auditory effects.