Post-MRI Anxiety & Tinnitus Spike — Any Positive Stories?

[Meinz89]

Hello friends,

I'm hoping to hear any positive post-MRI experiences that might help calm my nerves.

Last week, at 30 weeks pregnant, I had a 20-minute MRI without contrast on the advice of my ENT and OBGYN. I've had unilateral tinnitus for 5.5 months, and they wanted to rule out anything major.

They gave me both foam earplugs and headphones, but the foam plugs didn't fit well. I had brought my own silicone plugs, so I asked the MRI techs which to use. Naturally, they recommended the foam ones they provided. Reluctantly, I used them, even though I wasn't confident about the seal.

Having never had an MRI before, I was nervous, but my family reassured me it was safe since I would have dual ear protection. Once in the tube, I realized the noise was intense, but I managed to stay calm for the full 20 minutes. I didn't experience ear pain, fullness, or muffled hearing afterward.

However, my tinnitus spiked after the scan. It had already been loud and reactive for about a month, so I can't tell if this is a temporary spike or a more lasting change. Five days later, it remains bothersome.

For context, I took 600 mg of NAC before the scan (I had already been on it for 10 days) and another 600 mg later that day.

If anyone has positive post-MRI experiences, tips for easing the anxiety about it, or reassurance that spikes can settle, I would be very grateful to hear them. I've already read too many horror stories about MRIs causing damage despite ear protection, so it would help to hear some positive experiences.

Thank you kindly, friends.

Meg

 

[dd314]

It had already been loud and reactive for about a month, so I can't tell if this is a temporary spike or a more lasting change

You should always assume noise-induced spikes are temporary, if for no other reason than your mental health, especially when there are no additional ear symptoms (which is a good sign). You're probably alright.

Foam earplugs need to be rolled into a narrow cylinder and inserted deeply into the ear while gently pulling on your earlobe to open the canal. If you simply push them in, you won't get the full 32 dB reduction. In that case, the protection might only be in the teens, though that is just an estimate. If you used double protection, that might have been enough.

For peace of mind, you could try to find out the make and model of the MRI machine, then ask ChatGPT or Gemini about the peak decibel level it produces during a brain scan. Be sure to mention your exact situation so you can see whether you were exposed to a potentially damaging noise level.

If you ever need another MRI, know that some models are quieter than others, and some include a software setting called "quiet mode" that you can request. You can also ask them to skip the sequence called "diffusion-weighted imaging," since it is the loudest.

 

[kingsfan]

Were you wearing headphones or earmuffs? Earmuffs provide protection, but headphones do not. If they were earmuffs with a high attenuation rating, then the fit of the foam earplugs would not matter quite as much.

Here's how attenuation ratings work with double protection: take the highest-rated protector, subtract 7, then add 5 dBA. For example, if you had 28 NRR earmuffs along with poorly fitted earplugs, you would get (28 - 7) + somewhere between 0 and 5. That would likely give you around 22 to 24 dBA of average protection.

@Ed209 had a bad MRI experience. You may have already read about it here, but I tagged him in case he is around and wants to share.

 

[MindOverMatter]

If anyone has positive post-MRI experiences, tips for easing the anxiety about it, or reassurance that spikes can settle, I would be very grateful to hear them. I've already read too many horror stories about MRIs causing damage despite ear protection, so it would help to hear some positive experiences.

Thank you kindly, friends.

Meg

I've had several MRIs (four, if I recall correctly) between 2020 and 2024: brain, jaw, hip, and back. They were all loud, with the brain and jaw scans being by far the worst since they were head-first and lasted a long time. Both caused spikes for me. The first time I went through one, I had the same issue as you with a poor foam seal. I won't deny that it was horrible—I was close to pressing the button to cancel.

For the most recent MRI, I took a small dose of Diazepam beforehand. It was the first time I had ever used any strong medication, but it really helped calm my nerves and allowed me to get through it. It also made my ears feel less tense. I made sure the sealing was proper and used earmuffs on top as well.

I can't recall exactly how long the spikes or setbacks lasted after the brain and jaw MRIs, but I vaguely remember it being somewhere between four and eight weeks.

Spikes can and do settle. Have faith in that. Try not to worry too much or dwell on it. Don't blame yourself or think about what you could have done differently—it doesn't help at all.

Give it some time, and make sure to rest your auditory system as much as possible for the next three weeks. Don't aggravate it more than absolutely necessary. That would be my best advice.

I wish you all the best, Meg, and I'm rooting for you.