Why Is an MRI So Loud, and Can You Listen to Music?

Quick answer: an MRI is loud because powerful electrical currents switch on and off inside coils within the scanner. In the strong magnetic field, those switching currents make the coils vibrate, which produces the knocking, buzzing and banging you hear. Sound levels can reach well over 100 decibels, about as loud as a motorcycle or a power tool, so you will always be given earplugs, headphones or both. Many centers can play music through special MRI-safe headphones, but you cannot bring your own earbuds or phone into the scanner room.

The noise surprises almost everyone the first time. Patients sometimes ask me whether something is broken. It is not: every sound is part of how the scanner makes the pictures.

What makes the noise?

An MRI scanner has a very strong main magnet that is always on, and it is silent. The noise comes from a second set of coils called gradient coils. To create each image, the scanner switches electrical currents through these coils on and off very quickly, many times per second.

When current flows through a wire inside a strong magnetic field, the wire is pushed by a force (called the Lorentz force). The gradient coils are pushed back and forth with every switch, so they vibrate against their mountings, like the cone of a giant loudspeaker. That vibration is the sound you hear.

Three things make it louder:

A stronger magnet. The force on the coils increases with the strength of the magnetic field, so 3 tesla scanners tend to be louder than 1.5 tesla scanners.
Faster, stronger switching. Some sequences switch the currents harder and faster than others. Brain diffusion scans, for example, are among the loudest.
The scanner design. How the coils are built and mounted has a big effect on how much sound reaches you.

What does an MRI sound like?

Each sequence has its own rhythm, which is why the sound keeps changing during your exam. You may hear:

a fast knocking or tapping, like someone hammering on the outside of the tube
a deep buzzing or droning
a rapid machine-gun rattle
beeps or chirps between sequences

Between sequences there is a short silence, and you may hear a soft pumping sound in the background: that is the cooling system, and it runs all the time. The table may vibrate slightly during some sequences. All of this is normal.

From the scanner room: [TU EXPERIENCIA: describe con tus palabras los sonidos que más impresionan a los pacientes y cómo se los explicas. ¿Qué secuencia es la más ruidosa en tu experiencia? ¿Cómo avisas antes de que empiece?]

How loud is an MRI?

MRI scanners can produce sound levels as high as about 130 decibels, close to the maximum of 140 decibels allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For comparison, a power lawn mower, a motorcycle or a jackhammer is around 100 decibels.

The FDA also requires that, with hearing protection in place, the average sound level you are exposed to stays at or below 99 decibels. That is why ear protection is not optional: it is part of the safety rules.

Will the noise damage my hearing?

Not with proper hearing protection. Well-fitted earplugs reduce noise by roughly 10 to 30 decibels, and with protection, sound levels during clinical scans stay within workplace safety limits. Without protection, MRI noise can cause temporary hearing changes, which is why the technologist will check that your earplugs or headphones are in place before starting.

Tell the team before your scan if you have tinnitus, hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound) or hearing loss. They can make sure your protection fits well and, if available, use quieter sequences.

Tip: push earplugs in properly. Roll the foam into a thin cylinder, pull your ear up and back, insert it, and hold it for a few seconds while it expands. A loose earplug protects much less.

Can you listen to music during an MRI?

Often, yes. Many centers play music through MRI-safe headphones, which are built without the metal and electronics that ordinary headphones contain. Some centers let you choose a radio station or a playlist.

What you cannot do:

Bring your own earbuds, headphones or phone. They contain metal and electronics, can be damaged by the magnet, can heat up and can distort the images.
Expect concert quality. The scanner noise is loud, so the music will be in the background. It still helps many people relax and pass the time.

Some facilities also offer goggles or screens to watch a movie during the scan, which is especially helpful for children.

If music matters to you, ask when you book. If you are anxious about the noise or the tube, read [link: Claustrophobic in an MRI? 12 Tips That Actually Help].

Are there quiet MRI scans?

Yes, for some exams. Manufacturers have developed «silent» or «quiet» sequences that switch the gradient coils more gently. In one study of brain scans, a silent sequence measured about 69 decibels, roughly the background noise of the scanner room, compared with about 105 decibels for the standard sequence. Patients rated it as much quieter.

The trade-off is that quiet sequences are not available for every type of image or every scanner, and some produce slightly lower image quality. Whether they are used depends on your scanner and the radiologist’s protocol. If noise is a real problem for you, ask whether your center has quiet sequences.

Tips from the technologist

[TU EXPERIENCIA: 3-4 consejos propios sobre el ruido. Ideas: concentrarse en el ritmo de los golpes, usar los silencios entre secuencias para relajarse, avisar si el tapón se ha movido, pedir que suban o bajen la música.]

Frequently asked questions

Why is an MRI louder than a CT scan?

A CT scanner makes images with a rotating x-ray tube, which produces a steady whirring sound. An MRI makes images by switching powerful currents in coils inside a strong magnet, and that switching makes the coils vibrate loudly.

Can I wear my own noise-canceling headphones?

No. Ordinary headphones contain metal and electronics and are not allowed in the scanner room. The center will provide MRI-safe ear protection.

Does the noise mean something is wrong?

No. The noise is normal, and the changes in sound simply mean the scanner is moving from one sequence to the next.

Can I talk to the technologist during the noise?

Not easily while a sequence is running. The technologist will talk to you through the intercom between sequences, and you can use the squeeze ball at any time.

Is a 3T MRI louder than a 1.5T MRI?

Usually, yes, because the force on the coils increases with magnetic field strength. But scanner design matters too, and hearing protection keeps both within safety limits.

For what else happens on the day, see [link: What to Expect During an MRI].

This article is for general information and does not replace advice from your doctor or imaging team.