Yes, MR Safe earplugs are safe to wear and are standard hearing protection during an MRI scan.
Yes, you can wear earplugs in an MRI — and most imaging centers either provide hearing protection or require it. MR scanners are loud by design: gradient coils switch magnetic fields rapidly, producing rhythmic knocking and thumping that can be intense enough to make hearing protection a routine part of the exam.
Do You Need Earplugs for an MRI?
Yes, for most scans. The gradient system is the main source of MRI acoustic noise, and official guidance treats hearing protection as a standard safety measure. Some imaging centers state it plainly: no earplugs, no scan.
The goal is to reduce the risk of temporary threshold shift, tinnitus, and possible hearing injury.
What Kind of Earplugs Are Safe Inside an MRI?
Only earplugs that meet the MR Safe definition belong in the scan room. An MR Safe item poses no known hazards in all MRI environments, which means it is nonconducting, nonmetallic, and nonmagnetic.
Metal parts and metal-detectable features can cause scan artifacts or safety problems, but plastic parts are not automatically safe either. Guidance says selection should match the MR system’s noise spectrum and the earplug’s official MR labeling, so do not assume every foam pair is identical. If you want to compare tested options, our roundup of the best MRI-safe earplugs is a useful starting point.
What the Safety Guidelines Recommend
Guidance is consistent: offer hearing protection to every patient and volunteer unless the facility can show noise will not exceed 80 dB(A), and fit the protection before scanning starts.
- Use the earplugs the imaging team provides or approves.
- Make sure any earplug you bring is labeled MR Safe.
- Fit your protection before the scan starts, not during it.
| Protection question | Guidance | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Who should get hearing protection? | All patients and volunteers, unless noise is shown to stay at or below 80 dB(A). | Earplugs or another option are standard for most scans. |
| How much do earplugs help? | Roughly 10–30 dB(A) of noise reduction. | They cut the loudest sound but do not silence the scanner. |
| What is the target at the eardrum? | Below 85 dB(A) with protection in place. | That is the level safety guidance aims for. |
| Can plugs and muffs be combined? | Yes, for intense exposures, though the effect is not simply additive. | The technologist may add headphones or earmuffs as needed. |
| What makes earplugs acceptable? | MR Safe labeling — nonconducting, nonmetallic, and nonmagnetic. | Foam plugs designed for MRI are common. |
| When is protection fitted? | Before scanning begins. | Confirm the fit with your technologist. |
| What does a stricter policy look like? | Earplugs for all patients plus headphones when applicable. | UCSF targets a total suppression rating of 30 dB or more. |
FAQs
Can I bring my own earplugs to an MRI?
Yes, if the imaging team approves them. Earplugs must be clearly MR Safe or otherwise MRI-approved, with no metal or metal-detectable parts. Most facilities provide foam earplugs, but bringing your own is usually fine when the radiology department confirms the product before you enter the scan room.
Do earplugs completely block MRI noise?
No. Earplugs reduce the sound, not silence it. You will still hear the scanner, but the exposure is much safer.
What happens if I refuse earplugs during an MRI?
Most centers will not scan without hearing protection. Official guidance says protection should be offered to everyone unless noise is demonstrated to stay at or below 80 dB(A), and many departments require earplugs for every patient. The scan may be paused until protection is in place.
References & Sources
- UK Government. “MRI Guidance 2021.” Covers hearing-protection requirements for MRI acoustic noise, including the 99 dB(A) threshold.
- University of California, San Francisco. “Acoustic Noise Safety Guidelines.” Requires earplugs for all patients and adds headphones when applicable to reach a 30 dB or greater suppression rating.