ACOUSTIC NOISE-LEVELS DURING MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING SCANNING AT 1.5 T

Although much has been published concerning the various safety risks a ssociated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, little mention is made of the acoustic noise generated during scanning. The existing data ar e now out of date with regard to currently used imaging protocols and technology. Out of concern for patient safety, measurements were made of the acoustic noise generated during various scan protocols on a hig h field (1.5 T) Siemens MR imager. These data were compared with publi shed data. The data show that for certain protocols, the exposure to a coustic noise falls outside safety guidelines unless ear protection is used.