A quality sound system is something that has become regulatory for patient comfort in most MRI suites. However, in light of the vast range of available offerings, we have found that deciding on a sound system for an MRI room can become somewhat of a hassle. It is essential for MRI techs to try and avoid any workflow hindrances, so the sound system of your MRI suite should never become one. There are four key questions you should ask when looking for an MRI sound system:
How easy is the sound system to use?
Your MRI sound system ease of use is exceptionally important. If an MRI tech forgets how to use it or simply doesn’t want to take the effort due to complications, your sound system becomes merely an expensive monument; and you definitely don’t want that. However, if the sound system is simple and doesn’t hinder the regular workflow of the MRI technologist and team, then it could become a vital piece of your overall MRI procedure puzzle and add greatly to your patient’s comfort and positive MRI experience.
Does the sound system offer sufficient noise reduction?
In order for your sound system to effectively cover the volume of an MRI scanner (inside the bore), your sound system will need a noise reduction rating minimum of at least -29 decibels.
Is a varied selection of music offered?
Everyone has different tastes in music. Some patients may prefer listening to music with words as they would like to keep themselves busy/distracted during the scan, whereas other patients may prefer listening to classical/instrumental music as they find this helps them remain calm. A lot of MRI sound systems also include AM/FM radio, although an ideal sound system would have access to internet radio, as this would ensure that the selection of music can be customized to fit each patient’s specific preferences. A sound system is a great way to offer a distinct comfort advantage to your patients. If you have any old CD’s on hand, this would also mean that you could clear those out to allow more space in the control room. In addition, some MRI sound systems come with Bluetooth, so this is another great option to consider as many patients would prefer to pair their own devices and listen to their own music.
Does the system come with more than one headset?
If your department conducts an average number of head and spinal scans, you would need a set of ear buds inside the regular over-eat headset. However, again, both headsets would need to be of the right number of decibels for optimal noise reduction which is -29 decibels.
When and if you decide to look into purchasing an MRI sound system, having these questions on hand will help guide you to the perfect sound system needed to maximize the comfort of your patients and maintain the workflow of your facility with ease.
If you have any questions about your MRI scanner or are looking to purchase a refurbished one of your own, don’t hesitate to reach out to Amber Diagnostics and our dedicated engineers. Whether it be with a Philips MRI machine, a GE CT scanner, or maybe even portable X-ray equipment (just to scratch the surface), contact us today to get started!
