I'd like to share this MRI Safe Pro-Ears Ultra Pro Ear Muffs review from a customer:
WOW!!!!!!!!!
Okay so first of all, I am an absolute scaredy cat when it comes to loud noises. I had my fair share of stupid decisions in my teens with going to loud events with no hearing protection, etc. So, when I learned I had to get an MRI, I wanted to get the best hearing protection on the market and double it up with earplugs.
These headphones are the BEST!!!! I am telling you, they made me feel so comfortable during the procedure (an HOUR long)!!! AND...when I emailed customer service for help with adjusting them, they made a tutorial video just for me to help me!!! You will not regret working with these guys. My ears are perfectly fine after my procedure thanks to the high quality, and I will be a customer for LIFE!!! Thanks again!!
Pros: Everything! Sound attenuation and comfort were on point. Use earplugs (32dB) underneath them and NOTHING will bother you!
Cons: Nothing! You have to be a little bit forceful when adjusting them for the first time but that’s it.
It's not just you - getting an MRI scan can definitely be scary! Even if you're not nervous about the procedure, the noise is loud enough to be intimidating (or even overwhelming) for most of us. Most MRI scanning facilities will provide some sort of hearing protection, because the sound is just so LOUD, but this customer made a savvy decision in bringing their own gear.
Many places only offer ear plugs, that may or may not fit you comfortably and block noise especially well - a problem if your scan is a long one, for sure. Too, adding ear muffs can make a world of difference when it comes to coping with the noise and anxiety. This customer was smart to go for dual protection - that is, wearing ear plugs underneath a set of ear muffs, for maximum noise blocking. With the kind of noise an MRI machine produces, a higher NRR with more noise blocking is definitely better, and as a general rule, even one excellent hearing protector can't do as much to stop noise as two good protectors combined.
If you're considering getting your own ear muffs for an MRI, you'll want to do a little research first. Make sure the hospital or clinic conducting your scan will allow you to bring your own hearing protection; you may need to call them to find out. And when you get the green light, make sure to choose your MRI ear muffs carefully. The muffs will need to be non-electronic, non-metallic, non-conductive, and non-magnetic - otherwise they could damage the MRI machine. The easiest way to find these very specific products is to check out our top recommendations for MRI hearing protection and pick one of the earmuffs listed there. If you're shopping elsewhere, be sure that the earmuffs you're looking at explicitly state that they are MRI Safe or "MR Safe" in their descriptions or packaging. You don't want to guess here, or you could risk getting told you can't wear your hearing protection the day of. (This customer went with MRI Safe Pro-Ears Ultra Pro Ear Muffs, which provide high noise blocking and premium comfort, if you'd like to follow their recommendation.)
If you want to add a set of your own ear plugs to wear underneath your MRI-safe earmuffs - and this dual protection is especially important if you have any sensitivities to sound, are prone to anxiety or headaches, or otherwise might find the noise very difficult to cope with - you have a lot more options to choose from. In fact, all our foam ear plugs are MR Safe unless they specifically state that they are metal detectable. Moldable silicone ear plugs are also a good choice, completely non-metallic, with a little less noise blocking than foam but a super comfortable fit that seals over the ear canal rather than going inside it (these are great for folks who cannot tolerate having regular foam ear plugs in their ears). Combining ear plugs and MRI-safe ear muffs is going to be the very best way to defend yourself against the high volume levels while you get important medical tests done.
Getting an MRI scan is already stressful enough without all the noise! Hopefully this customer's experiences and these tips will help you find good MRI ear muffs (alone or as part of a dual-protection solution for maximum noise blocking!), so you can feel a little safer and more prepared. And if you have questions about MR Safe ear muffs or need advice about hearing protection, we're here to help.
Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore
