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MRI-Caused Tinnitus, Hearing Loss & Hyperacusis
MRI examinations can expose patients to sustained noise loud enough to cause permanent life-altering tinnitus, hearing loss, painful sound sensitivity, and other symptoms of acoustic trauma. Often, patients are not given sufficient protection against the intense noise of MRI machines, nor are they warned of the consequences of insufficient noise protection. Charnas Law Firm represents individuals who have suffered serious acoustic injury as a result of the failure of MRI facilities to provide the noise protection that each patient deserves.
When an MRI Is Followed by
Lasting Hearing Damage
MRI scanners can produce intense acoustic noise during an examination, which is why patients are generally provided hearing protection. The FDA specifically advises that patients undergoing MRI should be offered earplugs and/or headphones, and published medical literature has documented hearing loss and tinnitus following MRI noise exposure.
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Charnas Law Firm investigates claims involving patients who developed tinnitus, hearing loss, sound sensitivity, ear pain, or other persistent auditory symptoms following an MRI examination. These are highly fact-specific cases. Determining what happened may require reviewing the MRI equipment and scan protocol, the type and fit of hearing protection provided, the duration of the examination, when symptoms first appeared, audiological testing, medical records, and expert analysis.
How an MRI Hearing Injury Claim Is Prepared
NOISE EXPOSURE
The details of the MRI matter. The type of scan, duration, equipment used, acoustic intensity, and hearing protection provided can all become important when evaluating whether excessive noise exposure contributed to an auditory injury.
THE MEDICAL PROOF
The medical record has to tell a clear story. Audiograms, ENT evaluations, tinnitus complaints, prior hearing history, follow-up treatment, and expert review can all be critical in evaluating whether the MRI exposure contributed to the injury.
DOCUMENT THE DAMAGES
Persistent tinnitus, hearing loss, and sound sensitivity can affect sleep, concentration, communication, work, and daily life. Charnas Law Firm works to document those consequences carefully so the claim reflects the full impact of the injury.