If you or a family member has a condition requiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a closer look at the head, neck, or other part of the body, you may be wondering whether it could affect your or your loved one’s cochlear implants.
Though MRIs are noninvasive, the strength of their magnetic field in typical clinical applications generally ranges from the more common 1.5 tesla and 3.0 tesla to 7.0 tesla, making it critical to know whether your cochlear implant’s internal magnet would be impacted by imaging.
The good news is that selected cochlear implants from all three major manufacturers can accommodate the MRI procedure:
- Cochlear’s “Nucleus Profile and Freedom implants are approved for MRI for up to 3.0T with the magnet removed and 1.5T with [the] magnet in place with use of the Cochlear Nucleus Implant Bandage and Splint Kit,” per a statement on the company’s website. Learn more here.
- • Under certain conditions, both Advanced Bionics’ HiResTM Ultra 3D and MED-EL’s SYNCHRONY cochlear implants accommodate 1.5T and 3.0T MRI scans without requiring surgical removal of the magnet, according to statements on the company’s respective websites. Learn more at https://advancedbionics.com/us/en/home/professionals/hires-ultra-3d-mri-safety.html and https://www.medel.com/us/cochlear-implants-mri-safety/.
- For more on the importance of MRI safety in relation to cochlear implants, watch the Why MRI Safety is So Important video and https://advancedbionics.com/us/en/home/professionals/hires-ultra-3d-cochlear-implant.html
Still have questions about cochlear implants and MRI safety? Please don’t hesitate to contact our caring experts at Rocky Mountain Ear Center. We’re happy to answer your questions and are here to help.