On November 11, 2023, a Massachusetts medical malpractice claim involving a 62-year-old woman who developed tinnitus and hearing loss immediately after undergoing an MRI for a hand injury in July 2020 during which she allegedly was not provided proper ear protection settled her claim for $1.5 million. The woman reported dizziness and ringing in her ears immediately after the MRI. She reportedly tried white noise during sleep but she nonetheless wakes several times at night due to her tinnitus. She also has occasional headaches and dizziness.
According to the Mayo Clinic website under the topic “Hearing loss after MRI,” inquiries have been made regarding tinnitus and other hearing issues developing after an MRIi:
“I had a 15 minute MRI yesterday and experienced very noticeable hearing loss afterwards. (I already wear hearing aids for congenital bilateral hearing loss.). My ears feel “full” and sound is muffled. I did wear ear plugs and have had MRI before without this happening. It seems slightly better this morning but even my hearing aids turned all the way up doesn’t help much. As a matter of fact, wearing my aids is uncomfortable right now. Has anyone else had this happen? I am not sure what to do. Should I go see my PCP, is this likely temporary and is there anything I can do to help matters?” Posted November 21, 2023.
“This happened to me back in 2022 with a brain scan, despite both foam earplugs and earmuffs. I had never worn earplugs, so didn’t know how to insert them properly. The tech offered no instruction. Then he put the earmuffs on me and must have dislodged the fit when he put the restraining device around my head. The test was only 5 minutes. I was suffering from a severe claustrophobia attack and wasn’t focused on how loud it was. I was merely counting down the seconds so that I wouldn’t have to interrupt the scan and start over.
When it was finished, my right ear was very full, and I noticed hearing loss. I made an urgent appointment with a new ENT because I read that loss could be somewhat reversed if steroids are given within approx. two weeks. But the ENT said he’d never heard of MRI-related hearing loss, and decided my problem must be something else. Despite my pleas, he treated me for ETD and sent me on my way even though the audiology test showed some loss in my right ear. By the time I could secure a second-opinion appt with a different doc, I had passed the two-week point. The second doc gave me steroids anyway but told me not to expect much, given the timing.
The worst part was that I developed hyperacusis within days of this trauma. Hyperacusis has badly affected my life as I live in a major city that is very loud. I can’t go outside without earplugs nor do simple tasks, like emptying the dishwasher, without earmuffs on. The only positive is that my hyperacusis has gotten marginally better over the past 18 months, but I will likely never be able to go outside without ear protection.
Newer MRIs keep getting louder and louder. Medical journals have, indeed, published articles about MRI-related hearing loss. For any hearing expert to say they’ve never heard about this problem is astounding. They’re either not doing their homework or living in convenient denial, IMO.
I’m glad to hear you’ve pursued appropriate treatment. Best of luck to you.” Posted November 22, 2023.
“I think this issue is more common than most people know. I had never had an MRI and had no idea what I was in for.
I felt rushed and had ill fitting earplugs provided for me. I was there complaining of ear issues. so it is doubly insulting that I was treated as I was. After the procedure I developed tinnitus, and hyperacusis. Two conditions I would not wish on my worst enemy. My tinnitus has varying levels of sound, but the hyperacusis is always a huge problem and has me jumping out of my skin at what is a minor sound to others. No one seems o know much about either condition. I am more comfortable when I take Klonopin, but of course that is a controlled substance and cannot be taken freely.” Posted November 23, 2023.
If you or a loved one developed hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis, or another hearing abnormality folllowing an MRI, you should promptly find a medical malpractice lawyer near you who may investigate your claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a medical malpractice case, if appropriate.
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