How loud is a MRI?

[Anonymous]

How loud is a MRI? What would you say MRI noise level is equivalent to? Blender, vacuum, etc? Did you feel ear protection provided brought noise level down to loudness of several people group conversation? Lastly, was it required by your doctor to diagnose: IBS, Vulvodynia, and/or PFT?

[Lliam]

The loudness of an MRI scan can range from 65 to 130 decibels (dB), depending on the machine and procedure. The noise is caused by the vibration and banging of metallic wire coils inside the MRI scanner as electricity passes through them.

Here are some decibel levels for other common noises:
70 dB:Alarm clock or vacuum cleaner
94 dB:Food processor or blender
112 dB:Rock concert or chainsaw
120 dB:Jet plane takeoff
130 dB: Construction jackhammer

Because of the noise, patients are usually required to wear ear protection. Some MRIs have a sound system that allows patients to listen to music through headphones.

[NamerOfStars]

Not as much as I was expecting. It WAS loud, though. I'd read up enough beforehand to expect to whirring, clunking, and grinding noises, but I figured they'd be more cyclical and consistent. I also wondered, going through it, if I was the one case in a million where the machine WOULD explode and kill me; it didn't.

[Nikki1989]

They can be loudish, but you are usually provided with earplugs or headphones.

[abc3643]

It wasn't so bad when I had a brain MRI. My issue was that I was claustrophobic and my head was in a cage in a donut hole. I just closed my eyes, lied down still and thought while the machine scanned my head. Again, it wasn't so bad. I don't remember it being very loud.

[RavVid]

I thought the ear plugs unnecessary. It was much quieter than any of the things you mentioned. More like the hum from loudspeakers with the amp turned up but no music being played.

Don't let noise deter you from resolving your complaints.

A CT found a potential issue in my brain so I was on annual MRI for a while.

[Makeushiver]

The main sound is a loud CPU on g type. noise that here amplifier by how MRI is set jp. I don't recall. any other noise. I guess it does bother some since they often offer low dose of Xanax or Ativan. Its so low that its almost imperceptible yet any office still requires a chauffeur to be available for ride home.

[MrOracle]

They're pretty loud. Whirring and clicking and chunking. Not as loud as a blender or vacuum, maybe, but maybe that's just because it isn't continuous like those are. It's not a bad idea to wear some foam earplugs.

[DryGermanGuy]

Loud (like train coming through), but not deafening. I had no earplugs in.

[LiamJHayden]

It's not the noise. It's the coffin like atmosphere that I hate.

[jamesgoldman]

Not louder than the music they were piping in

[Anonymous]

My friend said it was really loud