Sounds of the MRI Scanner

Below are audio recordings of noises our scanner makes. You'll be wearing noise-cancelling headphones, so you can turn your volume down to about 10% and that's what it'll sound like inside the scanner! 


NOTE: Our scanner makes some other noises as well. These three are examples that can illustrate the scanner's rhythmic sounds which may vary in pitch and frequency.

LOCALIZER.mp3

The first sound you'll hear

T1.mp3

The second sound you'll hear

fMRI.mp3

The third sound you'll hear

Why the scanner makes sounds: 

Machine Sounds

This video talks about the MRI machine itself and which parts of the machine are making the noises you'll hear during your MRI.

Picture Sounds

This video talks about the MRI pictures we take, what it sounds like when we take those pictures, and a little bit about why those pictures are helpful for our research

Hear

The machine is noisy. You will hear various beeping and/or knocking sounds (listen to example sounds above). You will be given headphones to hear the movie or music while also reducing the sounds of the machine.


See

When entering the MRI room, you will see a large machine with a tunnel in the middle. This is the camera. During the scan, you might be watching a movie or looking at a white plus sign (+). You won't be getting any feedback about your motion, so you'll need to put your practice to the test, and stay as still as you can!


Feel

MRIs do not hurt. The temperature in the room may be cold and our staff can provide a warm blanket to have inside the scanner. In rare cases, you might feel tingling or heating sensations. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, you can ask for a break, or ask to stop.



Preparing for your MRI FAQ

Interactive: Scan a Brain: Practice your science skills!


This website is from the Franklin Institute where you can move the scanner control over the head to see brain images made with the MRI along with the science behind what you are seeing. Try it yourself here: 

Interactive: Scan a Brain | The Franklin Institute (fi.edu) 



Games to Prepare for your MRI

Reverse Freeze Tag

Courtesy of the Kennedy Krieger Center


This version of freeze tag is a fun way to learn to keep still for an MRI.


Nose to the Grindstone

Courtesy of the Kennedy Krieger Center


The MRI can detect movements as small as a few millimeters. Cut out the box with the tiny five-millimeter circle above. The circle is your “grindstone.” Tape it to the wall and touch your nose to it. See how long you can “keep your nose to the grindstone” and not move even a little bit.


The Statue Game

Courtesy of the Kennedy Krieger Center




Apps

Pengunaut Trainer: Info |  iPhone  | Android 


Okee in Medical Imaging: Info | iPhone