How do MRI Headphones work? (2022) • Hacker News Board

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#11

Post by throwway120385 » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:02 PM UTC

lxgr wrote: post #3

riffic wrote: post #2

tldr it's a pneumatic tube like a stethoscope. these used to be used within aircraft as well for inflight entertainment.

I've been on an airplane that used these! I think it even had a channel selector near the plug if I remember correctly (it's been a while).

Yep right next to the ashtray.

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#12

Post by roughly » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:03 PM UTC

focusedone wrote: post #6

This guy also has a post about the hierarchy of socks and underwear which resonated with me. https://tomlingham.com/articles/an-unfortunate-hierarchy-of-...

There's a sci-fi book I read a while back that had as a plot point an alien species that had algorithmically optimized its decision-making processes so much that it was no longer recognizably conscious. I think about that now and again when I get a little too invested in some system or practice.

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#13

Post by dylan604 » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:04 PM UTC

djhope99 wrote: post #9

I thought these were a nice idea when I had my MRI the other day, little did I know that I would barely be able to hear anything over the noise of the MRI machine. Ear plugs were better, kept out the noise of the MRI machine and let me drift into a trance.

What was your experience with the MRI like? Specifically, did you "feel" it? I've had my knee scanned for ACL damage, and have spoken to a few other acquaintances that have had scans as well. We've all discussed having some sensation in the exact part of the body being scanned. We all just happened to similar sports based knee injuries. It was just the slightest of tingling, but noticeable. Definitely not painful or anything scary. Was it just psychosomatic? Very possibly, but it's interesting that we all experienced it.

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#14

Post by cuonic » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:06 PM UTC

They also use a similar mechanism for the "get me out of here ASAP" panic button [0] that staff place in your hand and tell you to squeeze if required, all it does is detect a change in air pressure on the other end of the tubing.

[0] https://www.mriequip.com/store/pc/MRI-Non-Magnetic-Magnalarm...

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#15

Post by jjice » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:07 PM UTC

focusedone wrote: post #6

This guy also has a post about the hierarchy of socks and underwear which resonated with me. https://tomlingham.com/articles/an-unfortunate-hierarchy-of-...

Ha this is great! I completely relate.

There was a YouTuber (WhiteBoy7thSt if anyone is familiar) I watched over ten years ago now that came from very humble beginnings, and when he started to make real money, his first splurge (and one he stuck with) was new socks. When I say new socks, I mean new socks most days, maybe even a new pair for every day of the year. These were normal white socks, not any nice wool socks, so it was still fairly cheap, but when he grew up, they always had beaten, old socks.

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#16

Post by tgv » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:08 PM UTC

dylan604 wrote: post #13

djhope99 wrote: post #9

I thought these were a nice idea when I had my MRI the other day, little did I know that I would barely be able to hear anything over the noise of the MRI machine. Ear plugs were better, kept out the noise of the MRI machine and let me drift into a trance.

What was your experience with the MRI like? Specifically, did you "feel" it? I've had my knee scanned for ACL damage, and have spoken to a few other acquaintances that have had scans as well. We've all discussed having some sensation in the exact part of the body being scanned. We all just happened to similar sports based knee injuries. It was just the slightest of tingling, but noticeable. Definitely not painful or…

MRI can cause a tingling sensation. Apparently, it can be quite noticeable when you make a loop, e.g. with your arms. See peripheral nerve stimulation.

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#17

Post by zrail » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:08 PM UTC

dylan604 wrote: post #13

djhope99 wrote: post #9

I thought these were a nice idea when I had my MRI the other day, little did I know that I would barely be able to hear anything over the noise of the MRI machine. Ear plugs were better, kept out the noise of the MRI machine and let me drift into a trance.

What was your experience with the MRI like? Specifically, did you "feel" it? I've had my knee scanned for ACL damage, and have spoken to a few other acquaintances that have had scans as well. We've all discussed having some sensation in the exact part of the body being scanned. We all just happened to similar sports based knee injuries. It was just the slightest of tingling, but noticeable. Definitely not painful or…

I have had an abdomen MRI. I definitely felt sensations when the machine was doing particular sets of scans.

Also, I accidentally left my wedding ring on (I informed them, they were not interested in the slightest). My right felt hot during the scans. Not painful burning hot, but warmer than body temp for sure.

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#18

Post by caseyohara » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:08 PM UTC

djhope99 wrote: post #9

I thought these were a nice idea when I had my MRI the other day, little did I know that I would barely be able to hear anything over the noise of the MRI machine. Ear plugs were better, kept out the noise of the MRI machine and let me drift into a trance.

I recently got an MRI and the technician asked me what I wanted to listen to on the headphones. I said "Something relaxing, do you have ambient music?". This turned out to be a terrible choice; the music was so quiet I could barely hear it. Earplugs would have been better. I had some in my pocket that I brought but it was too late.

So after the claustrophobic panic subsided and I realized I was left in there with nothing but the loud machine and my own thoughts, I decided to listen to the machine as if it were music.

I found it supremely hypnotic and trance-inducing, almost meditative. I'm a big fan of deep and hypnotic techno, so the rhythmic MRI sounds were right up my alley. I'd probably have enjoyed it more with earplugs though.

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#19

Post by FriedPickles » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:10 PM UTC

I was intrigued to see a lady at the crosswalk the other day wearing earbuds with thick tubing instead of wires. Googling it, I discovered they were "EMF free headphones". Apparently enough people think electromagnetic radiation in the ears is a problem that there are now dozens of these headphones on the market that put the driver half way along the cord, with tubes proceeding to the earpiece.

Re: How do MRI Headphones work? (2022)

#20

Post by lynx23 » Tue, Mar 26, 2024, 6:10 PM UTC

focusedone wrote: post #6

This guy also has a post about the hierarchy of socks and underwear which resonated with me. https://tomlingham.com/articles/an-unfortunate-hierarchy-of-...

Haha, funny. It was just yesterday that I listened to a german kabarett recording which featured the fact that women are driving consumerism. And he used the exact same example: "When does he buy new clothes? When you tell him to! He would keep his current set for a lot longer." (translated from memory)

Your linked article confirms the semi-humorous statement just a day later.