MRI personal experiences

[Heather W]

Hi all, 

I am having my first MRI since getting implanted (for a low back issue). I’m good with all the technical stuff, I’ve shared all the MedEL literature with my MRI provider, etc. I know that I won’t be wearing my processor or HA during MRI and I have confirmed with radiology that they will not need to wrap my head . They have opted to use the lower  1.5 telsa strength MRI  

I am wondering if folks could share their MRI experiences (any odd sensations or sounds)? I have the  Synchrony2 internal implant.  I have read the MedEL literature that says I may hear beeps and clicks or feel tension near the magnet site. It’s just helpful for me to know what to expect. 
 

Thanks for any info you are willing to share. 
Heather

[Mary Beth]

@Joan has shared her MRI experiences so I am tagging her 

[Joan]

@Heather W I’ve had multiple (5) 1.5 Tesla MRIs since being implanted, all being of my head (follow up on a brain tumor that was removed ). All were uneventful with the exception of some of the beeps and clicks you mentioned. I didn’t experience any particularly odd sensations. Admittedly I was nervous with my first but, with that one being as “easy” as it was, I went into my subsequent ones with little concern. 
 

Good luck with yours. I hope all goes well!

[Heather W]

Thanks so much @Joan!! So many “firsts” as a new CI patient! Some are fun and amazing and some create a bit of nervousness! Thanks for sharing your experiences! That’s very helpful. 

[David]

I've had 3.0T and 1.5T MRI's without issues.

[GeorgeJ]

On 7/7/2023 at 10:40 AM, Heather W said:

Hi all, 

I am having my first MRI since getting implanted (for a low back issue). I’m good with all the technical stuff, I’ve shared all the MedEL literature with my MRI provider, etc. I know that I won’t be wearing my processor or HA during MRI and I have confirmed with radiology that they will not need to wrap my head . They have opted to use the lower  1.5 telsa strength MRI  

I am wondering if folks could share their MRI experiences (any odd sensations or sounds)? I have the  Synchrony2 internal implant.  I have read the MedEL literature that says I may hear beeps and clicks or feel tension near the magnet site. It’s just helpful for me to know what to expect. 
 

Thanks for any info you are willing to share. 
Heather

I had a full body bone scan with one implant in May ‘22 and again with two implants in May ‘23. No issues. I had an MRI focused on cervical area to examine spinal stenosis in June ‘23. I was a little nervous because of the focus being so close to the implants Despite all the implant info shared by Med El with, three providers refused to do the MRI. Fourth provider, a hospital with a new MRI machine agreed after consulting with Med El. It was a rather interesting experience. The jackhammer sound was quite loud, no processors in. I wasn’t prepared for that. Secondly, I forgot to take the key to the little locker they give you for your personal effects that have metal and the tech caught that almost immediately when he turned on the machine and the key tried to pull out of my pocket. Third, a gold signet ring I wear, I forgot and it buzzed the whole examine. All in all, no real problems and the MRI was sharp.

[Leslie05]

Also looking for personal experiences. Curious to hear how it went for OP and others. 

I got my Synchrony 2 in May 2024 and have had a body and a brain MRI recently. For the body, I went in feet first, for the brain, head first. 

I am single sided deaf, and the head first/brain MRI at 3T was a trip. They put me in ear plugs and headphones and sent me in. The first test was really hard. The MRI was loud as I expected -- but it was louder on my deaf side than my hearing side. It sounded like a hammer on metal unlike the rumblings in my hearing ear. It shook my deaf eardrum and the deaf side of my face was flinshing. We found that sandbagging my neck helped. But halfway through the rest of my tests, my legs started jumping up from the table. Sandbags at my hips helped quite a bit. 

Anyone experience something similar?

Leslie

[MRI Lucknow]

Hello Heather,

Great job preparing for your MRI! I've worked with many cochlear implant patients at <a href="https://mrilucknow.net">MRI Lucknow</a> over the years who needed imaging studies.

You've done all the right things - sharing the MedEL literature with your provider and confirming the technical details. Using the 1.5T scanner is standard protocol for patients with the Synchrony2, and not needing head wrapping is convenient.

As for what to expect sensation-wise: most of my Synchrony2 patients report intermittent clicking or beeping sounds during the scan. This is completely normal and just represents the implant's response to the magnetic field. Some describe it as similar to Morse code or electronic tones.

You might also feel a mild tugging or pressure sensation near your implant site. This is due to the interaction between your implant's magnet and the MRI magnet, but the Synchrony2 has a rotatable internal magnet specifically designed to minimize this discomfort.

One patient described it as "like someone gently pressing a finger against my head" - noticeable but not painful. The sensations tend to come and go during different scanning sequences.

Most importantly, these sensations are all expected and don't indicate any problem. The technologists will give you a call button to squeeze if anything feels concerning.

I'd recommend bringing something to help you relax, as staying still is important. The machine itself makes loud knocking/banging sounds, but they'll provide earplugs or headphones for your non-implanted ear.

Hope this helps ease your mind! Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

Dr. Gaurav Pal
 

[MRI Lucknow]

Hello Heather,

Great job preparing for your MRI! I've worked with many cochlear implant patients at MRI Lucknow over the years who needed imaging studies.

You've done all the right things - sharing the MedEL literature with your provider and confirming the technical details. Using the 1.5T scanner is standard protocol for patients with the Synchrony2, and not needing head wrapping is convenient.

As for what to expect sensation-wise: most of my Synchrony2 patients report intermittent clicking or beeping sounds during the scan. This is completely normal and just represents the implant's response to the magnetic field. Some describe it as similar to Morse code or electronic tones.

You might also feel a mild tugging or pressure sensation near your implant site. This is due to the interaction between your implant's magnet and the MRI magnet, but the Synchrony2 has a rotatable internal magnet specifically designed to minimize this discomfort.

One patient described it as "like someone gently pressing a finger against my head" - noticeable but not painful. The sensations tend to come and go during different scanning sequences.

Most importantly, these sensations are all expected and don't indicate any problem. The technologists will give you a call button to squeeze if anything feels concerning.

I'd recommend bringing something to help you relax, as staying still is important. The machine itself makes loud knocking/banging sounds, but they'll provide earplugs or headphones for your non-implanted ear.

Hope this helps ease your mind! Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

Dr. Gaurav Pal
MRI Lucknow
Call: +91 9236396735
Email: [email protected]
Address: 2nd Floor, 2/36, Viram Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226010

[Rossy Robotina]

Hiii! 

I’ve had an MRI and a CT scan after my CI surgeries, and everything went well! No weird sounds or sensations around the implant. You won’t hear much as you have to take your processor off but you will feel the vibrations of the machine, which can feel a bit odd sometimes. Just relax and wait until it’s done! 

 Best wishes!

 

[Hila]

Hi,

I had an MRI last Friday because of lower back issues.  My insurance and providers had CI as reportable implant for the pre screen.  I provided the information that it is synchrony type internal, which is MRI compatible up to 3.0T. Everything was processed and cleared,  but the morning of the MRI, they came out to the waiting room telling me they might not be able to do it.  The Leader contacted med el who said I must not turn head side of head presented to the machine,  and I might hear clicks, and feel some tingling sensation or even experience localized  heating of the scalp.  

SPOILER ALERT - All went well and I haven't felt a thing!

The staff was so nervous and they said they never had anyone with CI in their machine before. They said they are worried the internal would be damaged, or I will experience burns or issues .. 

The day before the MRI, I did a search on med el website and besides an informative and thorough checklist for clinician, I also found an interview with my amazing surgeon who emphasized the medical diagnostic advantage of MRI imaging and the benefit of being able to recieve the test, if needed. Seeing his face and reading his words put me at complete ease.

I underwent the test with no issue.  The medical leader of the team was there the whole time (they even insisted I didnt walk into the room, but reeled me in on a stretcher and had moved me parallel onto machine stretcher )

I reported back i didnt feel a thing.   All went well. And even had the advantage of not getting startled by the loud mechanical noises the MRI is so notorious for. 

I told her to remember it's MedEl Synchrony, a ground breaking technology,  designed to let us receive this advanced diagnostic care we may need. I wanted to put it here for anyone with SYNCHRONY, who might need an MRI and not sure what to expect.  Sometimes it takes some extra phone calls but it is my hope that anyone needs this test, can get it without too much worry.

 

[Cito]

Question to those who had a head/brain MRT: The CI throws a "shadow" on the MRT image hiding some regions. Was this a problem for any of you?

[Mary Beth]

@Cito

It had been a problem for those who needed clear imaging in the areas of the shadow or artifact.  

[Mary Beth]

@Hila

I hope your back pain resolves soon.

[Hila]

 

1 hour ago, Mary Beth said:

@Hila

I hope your back pain resolves soon.

Thank you,  MB 😊