Does 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Have Adverse Effect on Cochlear Functions?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 3 Tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) noise on cochlear functions. Methods: The distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) test was applied to patients who were scheduled to have 3T MRI in the tertiary care center. Patients who revealed emission amplitudes at all frequencies (1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz) in the DPOAE test before MRI were included in the study. After MRI, the DPOAE test was performed twice on 17 patients (33 ears) (immediately after MRI and 30 minutes after MRI). The changes in the results of the tests taken before MRI (pre-MRI), immediately after MRI (post-MRI 1), and at 30 minutes after MRI (post-MRI 2) in the DPOAE amplitudes at all frequencies were compared statistically. Results: There was a significant difference between pre-MRI, post-MRI 1, and post-MRI 2 measurements at 3, 6, and 8 kHz. In pairwise comparisons; post-MRI 1 was statistically lower than post-MRI 2 at 3 kHz, and post-MRI 1 was statistically lower than pre-MRI and post-MRI 2 at 6 and 8 kHz. In addition, post-MRI 2 was significantly lower than pre-MRI at 8 kHz. Conclusion: According to these results, 3T MRI noise does not have any permanent negative impact on hearing functions. It can only cause DPOAE amplitude changes at high frequencies. This is a clinically negligible effect. Therefore, it can be considered that the 3T MRI examination with protective headphones does not cause any adverse side effects in terms of hearing functions.

Prospective Evaluation of 3 T MRI Effect on Residual Hearing Function of Cochlea Implantees

“…While MRI scans without a cochlea implant have been shown to affect the hearing function, relating to the scanner-generated noise exposure at 1.5 T [ 13 ], the additional use of fitted protective headphones limits or excludes the effect on the hearing function [ 12 ].…”

MRI noise and auditory health: Can one hundred scans be linked to hearing loss? The case of the Courtois NeuroMod project

“…A less than optimal placement of the hearing protection equipment or a problem in the fitting of the foam canal tip due to an inadequate choice of size for the participant's auditory canal can more probably be linked to some of these observations. Yildirim et al [52] showed that the impact of 3 T MRI noise on DPOAEs was only temporary and located in the higher spectrum of the tested frequencies (2, 6 and 8 kHz). Therefore, we would expect this frequency range to be affected prior to the lower ones [53], which is not our case.…”