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Dual hearing protection effectively preserves outer hair cell function during 7 T MRI
L Wennberg1, S Waechter2, K J Brännström2
1Department of Medical Imaging and Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences Lund/ Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Radiography (London, England : 1995)
|March 18, 2026
Summary
Dual hearing protection effectively safeguards outer hair cell function during 7 Tesla (T) MRI noise exposure. This study confirms that using earplugs and impression paste prevents cochlear damage in healthy adults undergoing repeated scans.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Medical Imaging
- Neuroscience
Background:
- High acoustic noise from 7 Tesla (T) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) poses a risk to auditory function.
- Outer hair cell function is a key indicator of cochlear health and sensitivity to noise damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of 7 T MRI noise on outer hair cell function in healthy adults.
- To assess the efficacy of a dual hearing protection strategy.
Main Methods:
- 39 healthy adults participated in a within-subjects longitudinal study.
- Outer hair cell function was measured using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs).
- Participants underwent two 7 T MRI sessions with dual hearing protection (earplugs and impression paste), with DPOAEs measured pre- and post-scan.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in DPOAEs were observed, indicating stable cochlear function.
- Outer hair cell function remained unaffected by repeated exposure to 7 T MRI noise.
Conclusions:
- Adequate dual hearing protection effectively prevents adverse effects on outer hair cell function during 7 T MRI.
- Rigorous hearing protection is crucial for auditory safety in ultra-high-field MRI settings.
- Combining foam earplugs with sound-absorbing impression paste is a recommended practice for MRI auditory protection.
