THE IMPACT OF CRANIAL MRI NOISE ON INNER EAR
1Sultan 2. Abdülhamid Han Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz Hastalıkları, İstanbul, Turkey2Sultan 2. Abdülhamid Han Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Nöroloji, İstanbul, Turkey
3Sultan 2. Abdülhamid Han Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Biyokimya, İstanbul, Turkey
4Sultan 2. Abdülhamid Han Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Radyoloji, İstanbul, Turkey Objective: Exposure to intense noise may result in damage to the inner ear hair cells. Therefore, high-level noise generated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) causes concern for potential damage to the inner ear. This study aimed to evaluate any damage to the inner ear in patients undergoing cranial MRI without any ear plugs.
Material and Methods: Thirty four patients who underwent cranial MRI without any ear plugs were reviewed prospectively. Audiometry , distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) level and prestin-level were evaluated respectively; a) two hours before MRI, b) twenty-four hours after MRI, and c) fourteen days after MRI.
Results: No statistical difference was found between three audiometric assessments in both ears for each frequency. There was no statistical difference between the three DPOAE assessments in both ears for each frequency. Although the level of prestin increased slightly in the second assessment, there was no statistical difference between the three prestin level assessments (P=0.31).
Conclusion: Although the level of prestin slightly increases, cranial MRI noise does not cause hearing loss in any patient.
Keywords : Hearing, noise, prestin