Getting an MRI soon? You’re not alone if the loud, scan sounds make you anxious and uneasy. Many patients find the banging and clanging of an MRI machine to be a challenging experience. But what if we told you there's a solution that improves patient comfort, is essential for your safety and can improve the quality of your images? Enter MRI headphones.

In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the fascinating world of MRI headphones, explaining:

1. How MRI headphones work
2. Why MRI headphones will provide a better scanning experience
3. What to expect during your next MRI scan
4. What listening options are available during an MRI scan

How Do MRI Headphones Work? The Science Behind the Silence

Unlike everyday earbuds, which rely on internal electromagnets to generate sound, MRI headphones are designed without any metallic components, allowing them to function safely within the intense magnetic and radio frequency environment of an MRI scanner. But if there are no magnets or metal parts—how do they deliver sound?

There are two primary methods used by MRI patient sound systems:

1. Pneumatic (Air-Driven) Headphones: The most commonly used in MRI environments, pneumatic headphones work without any metal or magnets. Instead of using conventional speakers with magnetic voice coils, they transmit sound through flexible plastic air tubes. The sound itself is created by a speaker system positioned safely outside the magnetic field, then channeled to the patient's ears via these tubes. This elegant design ensures zero magnetic interference, eliminates projectile risk, and faithfully delivers both high (treble) and low (bass) frequencies—creating a safer, quieter, and more comfortable scanning experience.
2. Piezoelectric Headphones: These are a less common option for MRI scans. Instead of using magnets or moving parts like regular speakers, they rely on special non-magnetic materials that vibrate and create sound when powered by electricity. This makes them safe in the MRI’s powerful magnetic field. Piezoelectric headphones are not as good at producing deeper bass sounds, so the music may sound very scratchy or tinny and may not block out scanner noise as effectively as other types.

Both technologies are designed with non-ferrous, non-magnetic materials, allowing them to function safely in the MRI environment without affecting scan quality or causing image distortion or artifacts.

More Than Just Comfort: Why MRI Headphones Are Essential

While noise reduction is a significant benefit, the importance of MRI headphones goes far beyond simply making your experience more pleasant. Here's why they are absolutely essential:

Hearing Protection

MRI scanners can produce noise levels of up to 120 decibels (dB)—on par with a rock concert or jet engine. Without proper protection, extended exposure to such intense sound can result in temporary or even permanent hearing damage. That’s why MRI headphones aren’t just a comfort feature—they’re essential.

Our MRI Safe Noise-Reduction Headphones are specifically designed to lower these hazardous noise levels. A soft internal foam layer absorbs ambient scanner sounds, while medical-grade tubing channels music safely from an external source directly into the patient’s ears—enhancing comfort, protecting hearing, and supporting a calmer scan experience.

Patient Comfort and Reduced Anxiety

For many patients, the loud, repetitive sounds of an MRI can intensify feelings of claustrophobia and anxiety. By reducing these disruptive noises, MRI headphones help create a calmer, more tolerable environment. Most imaging facilities consider them essential because they help patients relax, remain still, and complete the scan successfully—ultimately improving the overall patient experience.

Motion Artifact Reduction

When patients are agitated, anxious or uncomfortable, they are more likely to move. Even slight movements during an MRI scan can lead to "motion artifacts" – blurriness or distortions in the images. Clear, still images are vital for accurate diagnosis. By enhancing comfort and reducing anxiety, headphones help patients remain still, resulting in higher-quality diagnostic images.

Communication with Technologists

MRI headphones deliver clear audio into the patients ears, allowing them to easily hear instructions from the technologist. Some MRI headphones include a built-in microphone enabling patients to respond in real time. Two-way communication is essential for ensuring safety, answering questions, and providing reassurance—especially during longer or more complex scans.

Following Instructions

MRI headphones play a vital role during a scan. Technologists frequently provide real-time instructions like “hold your breath” or “stay still,” and the headphones ensure patients hear and follow these cues clearly—essential for capturing sharp, motion-free images. When patients can hear and respond easily, it reduces confusion, boosts confidence, and helps alleviate anxiety—especially during long or complex scans. This clear connection between patient and technologist not only enhances comfort but also leads to more successful imaging results.

What Listening Options are Available During an MRI Scan?

Not all MRI facilities offer the same audio options. Some provide only local FM radio, limiting what patients can listen to during their scan. Others are equipped with more advanced systems—like Bluetooth-Enabled MRI Sound Systems that allow patients to stream music or podcasts from the internet or directly from their own phones. The ability to choose familiar music or a favorite playlist doesn’t just personalize the experience.

Relaxation vs. Distraction

For many patients, choosing calming audio can make a big difference during an MRI. Relaxing music, familiar podcasts with warm voices, or soothing soundscapes like ocean waves, rainfall, or babbling brooks can help reduce anxiety, promote stillness, and offer a sense of control over the experience. These natural or familiar sounds can be especially grounding in an unfamiliar and potentially stressful environment.

However, it’s important to consider how well the MRI’s audio system masks scanner noise. Some systems may not fully block the pounding sounds from the MRI magnet, especially music played at lower volume levels or with certain headphone types. Aggressive or high-energy music—like electronic dance, hard rock, or heavy metal—might seem like a good distraction, but it can unintentionally encourage patients to tap or move along with the beat. Since movement can interfere with image quality, many providers recommend audio that helps patients stay physically relaxed and mentally settled.

Ultimately, the best choice will depend on personal preferences—what calms one person may not work for another. If possible, test your options ahead of time to find what helps you stay calm, centered, and still.

Identify Stressors

Understanding what makes you anxious during an MRI is the first step toward choosing the best audio strategy. Is your primary concern the confined space, the loud, repetitive noises, or a combination of both?

• If claustrophobia is the main challenge, opt for something calming—like soft music, a familiar podcast, or ambient nature sounds. These can ease anxiety and help you stay still without adding to the sensory load. For some patients, tools like Scan Sound’s reversible prism glasses can make a meaningful difference. By allowing you to see outside the scanner, these glasses help reduce the feeling of being enclosed or ‘entombed,’ offering a greater sense of orientation and control.

• If you're especially sensitive to sound, a more immersive, even noisy style of music—such as complex instrumentals or layered tracks—may help mask the scanner's banging and clanging more effectively.

• If you’re affected by both, the ideal choice is something that both comforts and drowns out external noise. This balance may take some experimenting, especially if music that’s sonically “busy” tends to make you feel more alert or agitated.

Your choice should reflect what helps you feel centered and still—not what simply distracts you. If possible, test your audio choices beforehand so you're not making the decision under stress.

Music vs. Noise

Some patients prefer to listen to noise rather than music because it does an excellent job of blocking out the scanner sounds. While this may not be as pleasant and relaxing as music, it can provide relief for those who are sensitive to the MRI scanner sounds, enabling some patients to actually fall asleep during their MRI scan.

While white noise works well, experiments on using noise to block out external sounds suggest that pink noise is even more effective for most listeners and external sounds. There are a number of apps and free websites that have different kinds of noise so you try listening to them in headphones to see which works the best for you before you go to your scan.

Conclusion

Remember that the MRI technologist is not only there to run the scan; they are also there to help make the experience safe and comfortable for you as a patient. Hearing protection is a big part of both comfort and safety, so don't be afraid to share your concerns, ask questions, and get their suggestions.

With a little preparation, an MRI scan doesn't have to be an unpleasant experience. Hopefully our advice and our products can make a difference for you!